some people fast for political reasons. In the early 20th century, women in England and the United States weren't allowed to vote. In protest, many women went on fasts. They hoped that fasting would bring attention to this injustice. Mohandes Gandhi, the famous Indain leader, fasted 17 times during his life. For Gandhi, fasting was a powerful political tool. In 1943,he fasted to bring attention to his country' s need for independence. For 21 day, he went without food. Another famous faster was Cesar Chavez. In the 1960s, he fasted for three weeks. Why? His goal was to bring attention to the terrible working conditions of farm workers in the United States