ABSTRACT: A letter by Marco Pannella to all the "spontaneous groups of political and cultural engagement for the new left" by which a group of Romanian comrades announces the beginning of a hunger strike to the bitter end for the withdrawal of the Soviet troops which invaded Czechoslovakia.

(August 1968)

Dear friends,

together with several Rumanian comrades we have decided to go on a hunger strike to the bitter end to request the complete withdrawal of the Soviet troops from Czechoslovakia, or in any case to support the Czechoslovakian people in the current negotiations.

By this we intend to invite the Italian Communist Party to enter the field, so that the well-known and positive declarations do not become an alibi to do nothing, or to simply undertake summit actions which are uncontrollable and are alien to us and to all all communists and masses.

Perhaps, when you receive this message, everything will have been overcome. In the contrary case, we believe that the spontaneous groups can ensure a consistent contribution in the establishment of democracy and concretely express Italy's support for the struggle of the Czechoslovakian people.

We hope that you too will take up this new initiative. Do not consider it "useless" and non-political. As far as effectiveness is concerned, if the circumstances (and we hope not) should call for it, if in several Italian cities a hunger strike were carried out simultaneously, in an honest and rigorous manner, it would have a relevant effect both in the press and in political life, at any rate proportional to the energies devoted.

Furthermore, this initiative would not necessarily distract any energy from the work of the Groups. We ask you to give us your opinion on the subject. In case you decide to join the hunger strike, please get in touch with us by telephone or send us a telegram.