Australia - Mulwala resident Pearse O'Connor on hunger strike to fight fluoride
Mulwala resident Pearse O'Connor on hunger strike to fight fluoride
By DAVID JOHNSTON
Dec. 8, 2015
DEADLY SERIOUS: Mulwala resident Pearse O'Connor has entered second week of hunger strike in opposition to fluoride. Picture: ELENOR TEDENBORG
MULWALA resident Pearse O'Connor has taken the dramatic step of embarking on a hunger strike to halt the imminent introduction of fluoride in the town's water supply.
The 50-year-old father-of-four has been living on water and a glass of milk per day since December 1 in a last-ditch bid to halt fluoride coming to Mulwala on Friday.
Mr O'Connor must drink milk as part of an ongoing battle with osteoporosis, but has sworn off solids as part of his crusade against Corowa Shire.
Corowa mayor Paul Miegel has had a personal meeting with Mr O'Connor about his concerns.
But the council is pressing ahead with plans to bring Mulwala into line with the shire's other main towns, Corowa and Howlong, in having fluoridated water.
Mr O'Connor's hunger strike has entered its second week and is starting to take a toll.
He has lost almost six kilograms and is planning a visit to Wangaratta hospital on Wednesday.
"The first three days I was really, really hungry," he said.
"After that it wasn't too bad, but (Tuesday) I've had pains in the lower abdomen.
"It sounds very dramatic and very drastic, but I am doing this out of utter frustration."
Mr O'Connor has lived in Mulwala for 23 years and his 22-year-old son has had only one tooth cavity in his entire life spent in the town.
"I'm not a blow in," he said.
"I'm just an individual in Mulwala who believes strongly in their rights."
Mr O'Connor said he was more upset with council's lack of consultation about its plans to introduce fluoride and had been a victim of buck-passing among government entities.
He said a petition signed by more than 200 residents opposing fluoride had been ignored.
Fluoride has been a hot button issue in the Corowa Shire for many years.
It initially defied the pro-fluoride policy of the NSW government, but two years ago changed its position.
The council has issued a statement from the NSW government supporting its pending introduction of fluoride. "The community of Mulwala will now enjoy the health benefits that have been available to the majority of the state’s population for many years," the statement said. "The overwhelming weight of scientific evidence does not link water fluoridation at optimal levels to any short or long term health related problems."
Cr Miegel said council's hands were tied. "Unfortunately council has a legislative directive to continue with the introduction of fluoride," he said. "I've listened to his concerns and understand where he is coming from.
"But when he makes decisions about his own health he has to take responsibility."
Bit extreme don't think I would go that far to protest.
I've never heard of a blow in expression before?
By DAVID JOHNSTON
Dec. 8, 2015
DEADLY SERIOUS: Mulwala resident Pearse O'Connor has entered second week of hunger strike in opposition to fluoride. Picture: ELENOR TEDENBORGMULWALA resident Pearse O'Connor has taken the dramatic step of embarking on a hunger strike to halt the imminent introduction of fluoride in the town's water supply.
The 50-year-old father-of-four has been living on water and a glass of milk per day since December 1 in a last-ditch bid to halt fluoride coming to Mulwala on Friday.
Mr O'Connor must drink milk as part of an ongoing battle with osteoporosis, but has sworn off solids as part of his crusade against Corowa Shire.
Corowa mayor Paul Miegel has had a personal meeting with Mr O'Connor about his concerns.
But the council is pressing ahead with plans to bring Mulwala into line with the shire's other main towns, Corowa and Howlong, in having fluoridated water.
Mr O'Connor's hunger strike has entered its second week and is starting to take a toll.
He has lost almost six kilograms and is planning a visit to Wangaratta hospital on Wednesday.
"The first three days I was really, really hungry," he said.
"After that it wasn't too bad, but (Tuesday) I've had pains in the lower abdomen.
"It sounds very dramatic and very drastic, but I am doing this out of utter frustration."
Mr O'Connor has lived in Mulwala for 23 years and his 22-year-old son has had only one tooth cavity in his entire life spent in the town.
"I'm not a blow in," he said.
"I'm just an individual in Mulwala who believes strongly in their rights."
Mr O'Connor said he was more upset with council's lack of consultation about its plans to introduce fluoride and had been a victim of buck-passing among government entities.
He said a petition signed by more than 200 residents opposing fluoride had been ignored.
Fluoride has been a hot button issue in the Corowa Shire for many years.
It initially defied the pro-fluoride policy of the NSW government, but two years ago changed its position.
The council has issued a statement from the NSW government supporting its pending introduction of fluoride. "The community of Mulwala will now enjoy the health benefits that have been available to the majority of the state’s population for many years," the statement said. "The overwhelming weight of scientific evidence does not link water fluoridation at optimal levels to any short or long term health related problems."
Cr Miegel said council's hands were tied. "Unfortunately council has a legislative directive to continue with the introduction of fluoride," he said. "I've listened to his concerns and understand where he is coming from.
"But when he makes decisions about his own health he has to take responsibility."
Bit extreme don't think I would go that far to protest.
I've never heard of a blow in expression before?
posted by Bill at
1:16 PM
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