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The first day you fast, says Eliseo Medina, your stomach begs you to reconsider. The second day is worse.

"Your body starts asking for food," the 68-year-old local activist told me about his fast for immigration reform. "It becomes more difficult and you wonder if it's worth doing this."

But Medina's commitment is an extension of the work he began almost half a century ago, shoulder to shoulder with Cesar Chavez. So there was no letting up last fall, as he made his appeal outside the halls of power in Washington, D.C.

When his stomach growled, he drew strength from fellow fasters as they joined hands and prayed.

"After the third day, my body quit asking for food. The amazing thing was that I needed less sleep, my mind was clear and I was able to think more clearly about what I was doing."

Medina went 22 days without eating, ending his fast only when doctors warned of possible organ damage if he continued. During Medina's fast, President Obama came out of the White House to hear his story. Congressional representatives and religious leaders made visits too.

Medina said that as he grew physically weaker, shedding more than 20 pounds, he felt spiritually stronger, lifted by the power of purpose.

"Fasting is a way to engage people in a non-threatening manner," Medina said. "When you're marching or picketing, it's confrontational and people go on the defensive. Fasting says, 'Here's what I believe, here's my faith, and I feel so strongly about it that I'm willing to sacrifice.' When that happens, people take a different attitude. It makes them begin to examine their own principles and values."

There was, of course, no immigration reform last year. And many people wouldn't bet on it happening this year either.

But Medina is back on the road in the name of the cause. He's headed east by bus with Fast for Families, meeting with supporters along the way, appealing to congressional foes of reform, and planning an April 9 rally in Washington. The fasting this time will be limited to Wednesdays, he said, so he and his cohorts have enough energy to do their work.

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Activist's fast is food for thought on immigration

RWW News: Krikorian Outlines Democrats #39; Immigration Reform Conspiracy
http://www.rightwingwatch.org/content/krikorian-presents-democratic-immigration-reform-health-insurance-conspiracy-theory Right Wing Watch reports on the ext...

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The Alex Jones Show(VIDEO Commercial Free) Thursday January 30 2014: News, Jakari & Calls - Video

WASHINGTON, March 7 (UPI) -- Immigration activists have called on President Obama to ease deportations of undocumented immigrants, saying he isn't doing enough on immigration reform.

Although Obama said immigration reform was his top priority during his second-term, he has so far done little to act on that and has presided over the deportation of roughly 2 million undocumented immigrants since taking office, the Los Angeles Times reported.

During remarks on the House floor Wednesday, Rep. Luis V. Gutierrez, D-Ill., said "President Obama has detained more immigrants in jails, prisons and detention facilities than any other president."

Frank Sharry, executive director of America's Voice, an immigration advocacy group, said it is likely that Obama will eventually act on his promises.

"The administration is deporting people every day who the administration says should be given legal status and a path to citizenship, so the question is: If Republicans continue to stall, does the president have the authority to make things better?" Sharry said. "We think he will act even though he's not talking like it now."

Speaking at a White House-sponsored town hall on Latinos and healthcare Thursday, Obama said he is constrained by current laws.

"I cannot ignore those laws any more than I can ignore any of the other laws that are on the books," he said. "That's why it's important to get comprehensive immigration reform done this year."

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Immigration advocates call on Obama to cut back deportations

The Fast for Families Across America tour arrived last week in the Inland Empire, where people of faith and immigrant leaders joined in a Solidarity Non Breakfast event in San Bernardino.

Constituents, clergy, labor and immigration rights leaders gathered at the SEIU/ULTCW building in San Bernardino to join the fight, calling on Rep. Gary Miller (R-Rancho Cucamonga) to do the right thing and support immigration reform with a path to citizenship.

We are calling on Rep. Miller to leave a legacy of inclusion that reflects the will of the people and support commonsense immigration reform with a path to citizenship," said Christian Avila, an Arizona "Dreamer" who fasted for 22 days on the National Mall last November. The retiring congressman has the opportunity to be on the right side of history and do the right thing for his district, the state and the country."

Attendees sent Miller (whose district includes part of Fontana) a message written on an empty plate, symbolizing the act of fasting for immigration reform. Miller announced recently he will not be seeking reelection this fall.

According to analysts, proposals in favor of immigration reform would benefit about 12 million undocumented residents. President Barack Obama and most Democrats support these proposals, but many Republicans in the House of Representatives are reluctant.

For the past year, immigrant rights groups have been rallying outside his (Miller's) office, lobbying his staff and holding vigils in support of immigration reform that would benefit many in the community that he represents. Constituents in his district are willing to fast for immigration reform and its time Congressman Miller listens to them," said Elena Carrasco, state coordinator for Mi Familia Vota, a non-profit organization that promotes the importance of voting among Hispanics.

The two-bus nationwide tour will make seven of its more than 75 district visits in California and will hold press events, prayer vigils and community meetings to mobilize constituents and underscore the moral urgency for Congress to pass immigration reform this year, said organizers.

Rep. Miller has a moral obligation to serve the very people who chose him to be their leader. Sometimes, leaders have to make difficult decisions. We are praying for Rep. Miller so that the decision he takes is one of justice in support of comprehensive immigration reform with a pathway to citizenship," said Reverend Walter Contreras, a Rancho Cucamonga resident.

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Immigrant leaders hold event in Inland Empire to support reform efforts