The Daily Tar Heel

Issue date: 4/21/08 Section: University

Media Credit: DTH/Elise Harwood Members of Student Action for Workers sit inside South Building to urge Chancellor James Moeser to adopt a sweatshop-free policy.

Shouts of "Adopt the DSP" rang out across Polk Place on Friday afternoon as members of the Student Action for Workers continued to protest Chancellor James Moeser's refusal to sign the Designated Suppliers Program.

In August, Moeser said that after reviewing the proposal, he did not feel confident the DSP would accomplish what it set forward: requiring a university to buy 75 percent of its licensed apparel from factories that pay living wages and allow collective bargaining.

The students held the rally at 4:30 p.m., just before South Building closed for the weekend. At 5 p.m. they were locked in the lobby of the building for the weekend.

"We're not going to get tired, and we're going to stay here until Moeser adopts the DSP," said Salma Mirza, an organizer for the protest.

But though the students have shouted their reasons for protesting, many others say they don't understand or don't know why the group is protesting.

"It's a good cause," sophomore Bethany Hartness said. "But I think the majority of the student body is pretty uninformed."

Members of the coalition handed out fliers detailing Friday's protest and asking students to attend.

Sophomore Andrea Blanford was on Polk Place on Friday when she was approached by protesters.

"Everyone has been just telling us to protest, but not what I'm supposed to protest," Blanford said. "How am I supposed to protest something I don't have a definitive opinion on?"

Other students who are concerned about sweatshops making UNC clothing said they thought the protest is ill-timed.

"They have been very loud, and it made me stop and think, but it's the end of the year, and … we all have other priorities as students right now," freshman Sarah DuPre said.

The protest has been going on for several days, but officials in South Building say the students have been cooperative and civil.

"I respect their right to have free speech and organize," said Jodi Fruth, executive assistant in the provost's office. "They haven't been disruptive at all."

Moeser held a round-table discussion with the organizers Wednesday, and though Moeser said he thought the conversation went well, members of the group said little was accomplished.

Steve Local, a member of the N.C. Public Service Workers Union, said at the rally Friday afternoon that he is in full support of the student protesters.

"I'm outraged as a taxpaying citizen and a proud supporter of the UNC system," Local said.

As the protest continues, the students on campus are still piecing together their thoughts about it.

"The only way to guarantee your clothes are not made in sweatshops is to make them yourself," sophomore Brittany Price said. "Grow your own cotton, raise your own sheep."



Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.

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