Today is the eight day of the six Tibetans' Hunger Strike Until Death. The rainy weather has made things quite difficult for everyone, although for the most part the hunger strikers themselves are keeping fairly dry. Temporary shelters have been erected, but as yet permission has not been granted for construction of a shelter from the elements.

The hunger strikers were given lengthy examinations this afternoon by Blake Kerr, M.D. He commended the organizers for doing an excellent job in keeping the volunteers dry and making sure that they had sufficient water. They are in good spirits, but their conditions continue to worsen. Five of the hunger strikers are doing pretty well, but the health of one has grown quite serious.

Faxes, letters, and phone calls in support of the hunger strikers continue to arrive. Nearly a dozen television stations and newspapers visited the site this morning, including USA Today, until rain drove them away.

For those concerned with the lives of the volunteers, now is the time to step up our efforts. Please send faxes to the press and the Secretary-General, and hold demonstrations in your prospective communities.