Longtime Santa Monica peace activist Jerry Rubin began a 100-day “P.E.A.C.E.” fast Tuesday, which will end on his 70th birthday on Dec. 11.
He said he began the 100 day liquid-only personal fast as a way of reflecting on his life and making a positive statement for activism and peace.
Rubin said his “P.E.A.C.E.” fast, an acronym for “Positive Expectations, Activism and Creative Energy”, is a time for him to reflect on how grateful he is for being a peace activist, for having such a loving wife and family as well as supportive friends, and for having the opportunity to be living in the great City of Santa Monica.
“During each of the 100 days of my fast, I will be reflecting on what a real honor it is to be a peace and environmental activist, and hoping I can continue for many years to come,” he said.
Rubin shared his last solid food for 100 days with his wife Marissa at their home in Santa Monica by eating a peace symbol shaped fruit salad, and then, literally, chaining the refrigerator door shut as he began his fast.
Rubin, no relation to the late 1960’s peace activist, said he still feels young at heart but notes that the stress of his ongoing activism sometimes feels like it is taking a toll.
Rubin, thinking ahead, said he plans to break his fast by eating a tiny portion of a large peace symbol shaped birthday cake at his “70th Birthday Public Celebration” taking place the evening of Dec. 11 at Rusty’s Surf Ranch on the Santa Monica Pier.
The birthday celebration will be a fundraiser to help repair and restore Paul Conrad’s 26-foot tall ‘Chain Reaction’ landmarked public art peace sculpture in the Santa Monica Civic Center.
