Several Activists to Go On Hunger Strike in McPherson Square

A handful of people in Washington, DC, will be going on a 10-day fast ahead of Pope Francis’s visit. The group of environmentalists going on the strike wants to stand for the call of a more sustainable lifestyle, the Catholic leader made in June.

As per rally organizers, it is possible that the pope may even stop by to check out the banners promoting the document, ‘Laudato Si’, On Care for Our Common Home’, on his way to the Capital.

Organizers of the rally scheduled to take place on September 24th, said in a statement that their rally will include Catholics and non-Catholics, environmental activists, musicians, labor leaders and others who have been inspired by popes encyclical.

Patrick Carolan, executive director of the Franciscan Action Network and one of the organizers of the event, said, “Pope Francis' message is a message to all people. It's not a message we should put on a shelf. It's a call to action”.

In September 10 news briefing, it was told that the Franciscan Action Network has called an evening interfaith prayer vigil for the environment, a few hours before the rally starts. The gathering at John Marshall Place Park near the Capitol will continue through the night and conclude as the rally begins.

Furthermore in explanation Carolan said part of the vigil is to remind people that everything they do has to be done in a prayerful way. It is not only about activism. It's about prayer and activism, contemplation and activism, he said.