LAS VEGAS (AP) — Las Vegas union supporters have launched a seven-day hunger strike to protest a casino operator's alleged attempts to prevent workers from organizing.

Roughly 17 protesters, including 10 current Station Casinos LLC employees, have pledged to consume only water through Tuesday. The fast began Wednesday at a makeshift camp outside the casino operator's oldest property, Palace Station, near the Las Vegas Strip. Dozens of other protesters who have not committed to the hunger strike are also staying at the camp.

Organizers spent a month training the protesters to fast, said Yvanna Cancela, the Culinary Union's spokeswoman in Las Vegas. Medical professionals met with the participants before the protest started and plan to examine the workers for health issues every morning. Clergymen from various faiths are being brought in each day to bless the protesters.

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