Protesters on Hunger Strike to Pressure Sen. Coburn's Uganda Bill Hold

For more than a week, protesters in Oklahoma City have been braving some harsh elements in hopes of getting aid to Uganda, and demonstrators said they will do whatever it takes, even if it means going without food.

Friday, March 5th 2010, 8:46 pm

By: News 9


By Charles Bassett, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- For more than a week, protesters in Oklahoma City have been braving some harsh elements in hopes of getting aid to Uganda, and demonstrators said they will do whatever it takes, even if it means going without food.

"At this point, we're just asking that Senator Coburn come to the table and explain his position himself in person," said protester Kenneth Transier.

The protesters are staked out in downtown Oklahoma City because they are frustrated with Sen. Coburn for blocking $40 million in aid for the children and families in the east African nation of Uganda who have become victims of guerilla warfare. Bethany Haley has worked with the children and just returned from the country.

"They're abducted and the first thing they are forced to do is kill their family, and not just kill their family but chop them into pieces with machetes," Haley said.

Haley and others in the group have now started what they are calling a Mercy Fast, meaning no solid foods until Coburn releases the funding.

Learn more about the group's efforts in Oklahoma.

"I've been fasting since Monday and I'm truly not a radical person, but I feel this is an issue that has to be brought to the surface," Haley said.

Coburn said he doesn't object to the purpose of the bill, but he just believes it should be funded by reducing spending elsewhere.

The protesters are calling the senator a hypocrite citing a long list of items he's voted for without offsets. The senator said it's true he hasn't been able to block every bill that spends new money, and that shows the power of special interest groups that demand money without offsets. But the protesters are hoping some of the new found clout they're picking up will get the senator to change his mind.

"Even though Uganda is a long way away and there is an ocean that separates us, they're our brothers and sisters," said Rev. Amy Venable, St. Stephen's United Methodist Church.

The protesters said all they want is a 20 minute phone conversation with the senator to come to some agreement.

Watch a live feed from the downtown Oklahoma City Uganda demonstration

More on News9.com:
-
Week-Long Protest Aimed at Sen. Coburn to Support Uganda Bill
- Sen. Coburn Blocking Bill That Would Give $40 Million to Uganda
- Oklahomans 'Held Ransom' for Uganda Children

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