Action against sweatshop use at U of Houston : Houston Indymedia

UH Students Against Sweatshops and allies from the Green Party, the Houston Peace and Justice Center, Rice and Houston Community College attended a demonstration at UH Chancellor Renu Khator's house at 1505 South Boulevard in the museum district.

SAS wanted to remind UH Chancellor / President Renu Khator's house her decision about signing on to the Designated Supplier's Program (DSP) is due. In March Khator appointed an "apparel task force" and told SAS and the public that their recommendation was due to her by the end of June at the latest. The task force was made up of 5 faculty members, 1 staff and 1 student. The faculty members have never published in the field. Faculty members who have published about globalization and child labor were kept off the "task force."

Khator has thus far ignored the student government resolution to sign the DSP. She has also ignored the entire shared governance procedure which showed that the Faculty Senate and Staff Council did not object to signing to DSP.

Recently State Rep. Jessica Farrar, State Rep. Rick Noriega and U.S. Congressman Gene Green voiced their support in writing or in person to President Khator. Apparently Khator is ignoring them also.

SAS members had an offer for Khator, a certificate of gratitude if she signs the Designated Supplier Program (DSP) or a subpoena from the people's court for human rights violations if she decides not to take any action.

Speeches were made by UH SAS freshman Brendan Laws, other SAS members and retired UH faculty member Herb Rothschild. Dr. Khator did not come to her house while we were there. Her residence, also known as the Wortham House is 7,000 square feet. Mr. Laws brought out the fact that apparel workers in Bangladesh who manufacture collegiate apparel live in a 6 x 8 foot room with eight workers to a room. Laws also pointed out that Khator's salary and benefits are over $600,000 a year while Bangladeshi garment workers earn $15 a month.

Three Houston Police officers and two University of Houston officers also attended. The HPD was very professional and cordial while the UH police were less than happy, they videotaped our action and generally seemed unhappy that our first amendment rights and City of Houston sound permit gave us the right to peacefully assemble.

SAS will continue to bring our campaign to the community with the support of all our community allies.

Laws & SAS offer Khator a certificate of gratitude if she signs the Designated Supplier Program (DSP) or a subpoena from the people's court for human rights violations if she decides not to take any action.