Sweatshop Sit-In in UM President Coleman’s Office
Apparently there is an active sit-in in Mary Sue Coleman’s office over the issue of university contracts with sweatshop-labour-using companies.
She was referring to the University’s Code of Conduct, forged until President Lee Bollinger, which codified a set of standards those like Nike and Addias must adhere to when producing apparel bearing the U of M Logo. “[University President] Mary Sue Coleman has acknowledged that the Code is rarely enforced, and that those factories that do enforce become uncompetitive and are shut-down, but has yet to take any proactive step to stem this problem” said junior Jason Bates.
The students say the occupation is eight years in the making. The Code of Conduct was produced out of a similar sit-in by the same group in 1999, after which they issued a statement saying their victory was a “down payment” on the University’s commitment to take a stand against sweatshops, “Today, we’re here to collect.” said Bates.
The action started this morning at 9:00, heaps more info at the sit-in website (somebody was planning ahead):
There is also an active blog here:
This ain’t your momma’s sitin. Note there are “facebook profile pictures” available for download.
Seeing as how I’m camped on my porch locked out of my house, seems like I should finish my grading and mosey over there. See you at the cube.
