Accidental Blogger

This is a follow up of my earlier post on the plight of the striking "guest workers" from India involved in the rebuilding of the US Gulf coast after Katrina. I received the following messages from Mr. Stephen Boykewich, Media Director  of the NEW ORLEANS WORKERS’ CENTER FOR RACIAL JUSTICE.  You can send a birthday wish to Paul Konar and words of encouragement to the striking workers at the address provided below.

We have set up a Gmail account called hungerstrikestrongman@gmail.com to collect birthday messages for Paul Konar, a hunger striker who has kept his fast unbroken for 14 days now and celebrates his 54th birthday tomorrow. Please take a moment to write Paul a message if you can, and feel free to circulate the below message or any variant you like.

We are going to collect all the messages we can by noon EST Wednesday and read them out to Paul and all the workers at the party.

Thanks,
Stephen
504-655-0876

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NEW ORLEANS WORKERS’ CENTER FOR RACIAL JUSTICE
www.neworleansworkerjustice.org

May 26, 2008

Dear friends,

Of all the extraordinary strength and bravery shown by the Indian labor trafficking survivors now on Day 13 of a hunger strike for justice in Washington, DC, no one has been more inspiring than Mr. Paul Konar. Paul is a 53 year-old father of three daughters who supported a large extended family in his home state of Kerala before he — like more than 550 of his countrymen — was cheated out of $20,000 with false promises of an American Dream and received a temporary 10-month guest worker visa instead.

He is also our "hunger strike strongman," the only worker who started the fast on May 14 and has not been forced to stop by hospitalization. He is stronger on Day 13 than he was on Day 2.

On Wednesday, May 28, Paul turns 54. "I want a bottle of water with a birthday candle on top," Paul said. "Everyone else should have a great party, and I will stay on the hunger strike with God’s help." Please take a moment to write Paul a birthday greeting and message of support at hungerstrikestrongman@gmail.com. All the messages will be printed out and read at a reception for him on Wednesday evening.

You can also make a donation in honor of Paul to the hunger strike fund by visiting our contribution page.

Thank you for all of your support!

In solidarity,

Indian Workers Congress and Alliance of Guestworkers for Dignity
affiliates of the
New Orleans Workers’ Center for Racial Justice