He served two years in federal prison, 1970–1972, for violating the Dyer Act, which outlaws the interstate transportation of a stolen vehicle.

Following meetings with them and prolific reading, especially of the Bible, Snyder started participating in hunger strikes and work stoppages over prisoners' rights issues.

Less than one year later he left his family again and joined the Community for Creative Non Violence (CCNV) in Washington, D.C., founded by J. Edward Guinan.

An Oscar-nominated documentary, Promises to Keep, narrated by Martin Sheen, follows that story and tells why a second fast was conducted.

In 1985, Snyder and CCNV hired sculptor James Earl Reid to create a display for the annual Christmastime Pageant of Peace in Washington which would dramatize the plight of the homeless.

The display, titled "Third World America," featured a nativity scene in which the Holy Family was represented by contemporary homeless people huddled around a steam grate.

Snyder and CCNV sued Reid, claiming that "Third World America" was a work for hire under § 101 of the United States Copyright Act.

But their relationship faltered and Snyder hanged himself[2] in his room at the CCNV shelter on July 3, 1990, where his body remained for several days[3] before being discovered.