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USPS supporters go on hunger strike to get attention of Congress

June 24, 2012 | 8:00 pm
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Photo - SAN FRANCISCO, CA - AUGUST 12:   U.S. Postal Service trucks are seen parked near the loading dock at the U.S. Post Office sort center on August 12, 2011 in San Francisco, California.  The U.S. Postal Service is proposing to lay off 120,000 workers in order to deal with an $8.5 billion loss this year that has the agency close to insolvency. The layoffs, if approved by Congress, would take place over the next three years.  In addition to layoffs, the Postal Service also wants to eliminate 100,000 jobs through attrition.  (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - AUGUST 12: U.S. Postal Service trucks are seen parked near the loading dock at the U.S. Post Office sort center on August 12, 2011 in San Francisco, California. The U.S. Postal Service is proposing to lay off 120,000 workers in order to deal with an $8.5 billion loss this year that has the agency close to insolvency. The layoffs, if approved by Congress, would take place over the next three years. In addition to layoffs, the Postal Service also wants to eliminate 100,000 jobs through attrition. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

A group of postal workers and postal activists arrived in D.C. this week to rally against cuts to the Postal Service. Their main weapon: an empty stomach.

Tom Dodge of Community and Postal Workers United told Yeas & Nays that 200 people are expected to show for a week of events in D.C., including vigils outside of the Rayburn House Office Building, a rally outside the Postal Service headquarters, and of course the hunger strike. At least 12 and as many as 20 people will go without food to urge Congress to repeal a law that requires the Postal Service to pre-fund its retiree benefits 75 years in advance.

Dodge said he's never fasted but was cleared by a doctor to go without food for four days. He adds that medical help will be on hand, along with chocolate, for any hunger strikers who require it. "We have cell phones," he said. "We'll be prepared for this."

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