January 6, 2014
Utah Man Ends Hunger Strike, Wants Pizza
Jason St. Amand READ TIME: 2 MIN.
Utah man Trestin Meacham made headlines last week when he went on a hunger strike in hopes it would convince state officials to "nullify" a federal court's decision to allow same-sex couples to marry. On Monday the Supreme Court ruled to halt same-sex marriages in Utah and Meacham is now eating again.
"I've been disappointed with the lack of pizza people have sent (only 1) Please feel free to send more today," he tweeted Monday.
A Twitter user asked if he was "fasting because you object to same-sex marriage or because you considered the decision to be legally unsound?" Meacham, 35, replied, "I am against same sex marriage, but the reason for the fast was the unconstitutional nature of the ruling."
He also commented on the Supreme Court's ruling to put a hold on same-sex marriage in Utah while a federal appeals court considers the issue, saying "This was a victory, but it was one battle in a long war. The State still needs to nullify this."
Meacham said that he was starving himself until Utah officials nullify gay marriage in the state - an option he believe the state has, which will allow them to overrule the federal court's decision to legalize gay marriage.
"I cannot stand by and do nothing while this evil takes root in my home," he wrote in his blog. "Some things in life are worth sacrificing one's health and even life if necessary. I am but a man, and do not have the money and power to make any noticeable influence in our corrupt system. Nevertheless, I can do something that people in power cannot ignore."
But attorney Greg Skordas told Salt Lake City's ABC affiliate KTVX that the state cannot nullify the ruling.
"If people want to change that they have to go through the appropriate processes," Skordas said. "When individual personal liberties are at stake the state can't infringe on that, even if it's the will of the people."
Meacham said last week he hadn't eaten since Dec. 21 and has lost 25 pounds.