These men are now known as the Hunger Nine, and they are segment of a larger group, the Circle of Brotherhood. The Circle of Brotherhood is a nonprofit dedicated to mentoring young people, crime prevention and economic empowerment in the community. The men said their call to action was watching all the grieving mothers having to bury their children. A candlelight vigil was held near Liberty City for the lives of those lost to gun violence in their neighborhood, most of them being young children.
Days after the vigil, they began to organize Operation Hunger Strike. Among them is Edward Haynes, the first black person to be hired by the Miami Shores Police Department; Liberty City native Albert Campbell, who was formerly incarcerated for 35 years; Minister Anthony Eugene Durden, a Miami native who battled a 20-year addiction to drugs and alcohol and was once a perpetrator of violence, but recommitted his life to faith; community organizer Bro. Phillip Muhammad Tavernier; rehabilitated ex-offender, Leroy Jones, who has always wanted to be considered a positive force in his community; Anthony Blackman, who released a song on the day the strike started; local comedian George Dana Jackson; and national boxing champion, Melvin El. (source thinkprogress.org)
Operation Hunger Strike lasted 21 days.The men were routinely checked by medics and only consumed small amounts of water per day. They realized that their efforts were more in line to bring awareness to the seriousness of the shootings rather than actually prevent more shootings from happening. The strike is a step in the much needed direction as gun violence in at risk communities has been an issue on the table since the 1970s.
What can be done to stop violence?
We have to look at the root of the problem. How are the weapons getting into the communities? Who is leading the war against arms smuggling, and what are the economic disadvantages in these communities? We understand that as income decreases violence increases. There are a lot of efforts made in rich and affluent communities when it pertains to public safety, but we never see the same type of protection allotted in neighborhoods that are actually affected by real violence. Working with community leaders which can include gang members, church members, and members in law enforcement- a big change can be made as to how these crimes are handled and persecuted. The question is does anybody care about Black people killing themselves? No. Our criminal justice system continues to be flawed as it pertains to predominantly Black and Brown neighborhoods.
If real change doesn’t happen soon, we will continue to suffer. This hunger strike is an important aspect in starting the conversations that so desperately need to be on going if we are to save at risk communities from spiraling deeper into crime and injustice.
