20 Demonstrators in Support of UAW Strike Arrested at UC Santa Cruz

URGENT ACTION ALERT: Twenty striking TAs and undergrad supporters were arrested on the picket line in Santa Cruz this morning. The TA union, UAW 2865, called for a peaceful, legal strike in protest of management’s unlawful intimidation of student-workers during our contract campaign. Please call the numbers below TODAY to demand that protesters be released immediately, all charges dropped, and that UC stop intimidating students and workers exercising their rights:

Alison Galloway, UCSC Provost and EVC
(831) 459-3885
George Blumenthal, UCSC Chancellor
(831) 459-2058
Renee Mayne, UCSC Senior Manager – Employee and Labor Relations
(831) 459-4332
Nader Oweis, UCSC Chief of Police, Administration Number
(831) 459-2897
Santa Cruz County Jail
(831) 454-2420
Janet Napolitano, UC President
(510) 987-9074

From a friend:

"We have spoken to Josh (first dude arrested, and the leader of the union) several times in jail. He--and everyone else, a total of 20 student workers and allies--is fine (though they are hungry and thirsty). They expect to be released soon.

Here is Josh's story: Strikers and allies at the West Entrance were met with riot cops from Berkeley and Executive Vice Chancellor Alison Galloway. Josh went up to Galloway and identified himself as a union officer and declared to her that he was about to begin picketing and that he would not be blocking any cars. Moments later, after stepping into the crosswalk with his picket sign, police threw him to the ground and arrested him.

The UC is claiming that our members were blocking cars. It's crystal clear, from the video of Josh and of several other members who were arrested, that they were not. Furthermore, the UC has continued--for the rest of the afternoon today--to prevent any kind of moving picket line at the West Entrance. This is a violation of our rights as union members, as well as part of an escalating pattern of intimidation on the part of the UCSC administration.

What does this mean? This means that we need as many people as possible to come to the picket line tomorrow morning. This kind of intimidation and abuse of power by Galloway and the UCSC administration does not happen if there are enough people there to witness it. We need all kinds of supporters there in the morning--whether to join the picket lines or to support the picket lines from the sidewalk."

In an unprecedented level of violence used against strikers on campus, 20 students and workers were arrested. They're being charged with remaining at the scene of a riot, among other trumped up misdemeanors.

Meanwhile, the strike continues at the base of campus. We're calling on you to come out in support but also to call Allison Galloway at (831-459-3885). Demand that she stands her cops down. We'll keep you posted on what's taking place throughout the day and tomorrow.

The report of police using a taser appears to be inaccurate.

"Update on UCSC: everyone is being released. Faculty will be meeting with UCPD to demand that they drop all charges. Folks are asking everyone to call EVC Alison Galloway and demand that she drop all charges against the students. They have a court date set for May 6 at 8:15 AM. Her number is 831-459-3885."

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Video: Union leader arrested while walking on picket line UCSC 7am April 2, 2014
http://youtu.be/FNy4pn-F5K0

From April 2-3, UAW 2865 called for a peaceful, legal strike in protest of management’s unlawful intimidation of student-workers. From threats to international student’s visa status who participate in union activity, to unlawful videoing, and calling legal strikes illegal, the UC has proved time and time again that it will say anything to prevent student-workers from exercising their rights.

On April 2 at UCSC, during the start of the picket line, police responded by intimidating and arresting students who were exercising their rights. Our members and undergraduate allies were arrested without reason, and with unnecessary force, while trying to exercise their right to a moving picket. This is a violation on the part not only of UCSC, but a continuing pattern of intimidation against our members, other Union members, and students for engaging in peaceful, lawful activities.

Strikers and allies, including a number of undergraduates there in solidarity, were met at the UCSC West Entrance by riot cops from Berkeley and Executive Vice Chancellor Alison Galloway. Union leader Josh Brahinsky approached Galloway, identified himself as a union officer, and declared to her that he was about to begin picketing and that he would not be blocking any cars. Moments later, after stepping into the crosswalk with his picket sign, police threw him to the ground. We would like to provide video evidence showing that our members were arrested without reason, and with unnecessary force, while trying to exercise their right to a moving picket.

Watch as Union Leader Josh Brahinsky is arrested as he complies with police requests and walks away from the police back towards the sidewalk.