US stars align in anti-Iraq war hunger strike

UNITED STATES: Star Hollywood actor-activists including Sean Penn and Susan Sarandon and anti-war campaigners led by Cindy Sheehan savoured a last meal outside the White House Monday before launching a hunger strike to demand the return of US troops from Iraq.

As Americans got set to fire up barbecues to celebrate the US Independence Day on July 4, the anti-war protestors planned to embark at midnight on a "Troops Home Fast".

"We've marched, held vigils, lobbied Congress, camped out at Bush's ranch, we've even gone to jail now it's time to do more," said Sheehan, who emerged as an anti-war icon after losing her 24-year-old son Casey in Iraq.

For their "last meal", several dozen protesters on Monday afternoon clustered around a rose-coloured tablecloth on the pavement outside the White House fence. "We represent millions of Americans who say, 'you don't have our consent to govern anymore'," Sheehan said, referring to President George W. Bush.

"We withdraw our consent to a government who commits torture. We withdraw our consent to a government who sent our troops to invade a country which represented no threat to our security."

The protest was the latest bid by the US anti-war movement to grab hold of American public opinion, after numerous marches, vigils and political campaigns. The hunger strike will see at least four activists Sheehan, veteran comedian and peace campaigner Dick Gregory, former army colonel Ann Wright and environmental campaigner Diane Wilson launch long-term fasts.

Washington, Tuesday, AP