Several students stripped down to their skivvies in Storke Plaza yesterday at around noon to protest the University of California’s alleged use of sweatshop labor for its apparel.
Student Labor Action Project (SLAP) members undressed to protest UCSB apparel sold in the UCen Bookstore. Part of a nationwide United Students Against Sweatshops protest, the “Naked Truth” rally urged onlookers to join SLAP’s march to Cheadle Hall to ask Chancellor Henry Yang for his support.
SLAP member and first-year global studies major Lindsey Quock said she believes the UC uses sweatshop labor because it does not reveal where its current apparel is made.
Yang was not in his office yesterday. However, he replied to the protesters with an open letter, which stated that the University enforces a strict policy on its purchasing habits.
“No foreign-made equipment, materials or supplies furnished to the University shall be made by forced, convict or indentured labor,” Yang said.