Living on water and broth: Voting rights activists turn to 'political and moral' hunger strikes

Much like in the 1960’s, when activists also pushed for voting rights, hunger strikes can be successful if used with tactics such as lobbying, marches and writing letters, experts say.

USA TODAY

WASHINGTON – Joe Madison was so tired Wednesday night – one of the lingering effects of 73 days on a hunger strike – that the radio show host went to bed at 5 p.m. and slept through the long-awaited Senate vote on voting rights legislation.

He woke at 2 a.m. to learn the Senate failed to advance the measure. His disappointment turned to anger at Democratic Sens. Krysten Sinema and Joe Manchin then at Sen. Tim Scott and every other Republican senator who didn't support a rule change to advance the legislation. He decided to end his hunger strike.