SAN DIEGO — A labor union rallied Tuesday evening in solidarity with protesters arrested at UC San Diego Monday morning. The arrests happened when law enforcement dismantled the "Gaza Solidarity" encampment that had first formed last week.
UAW 4811 organized the rally to show solidarity with the protesters arrested from the encampment on campus.
"Solidarity means standing together with all working people. No matter where they live on this earth, their struggle is our struggle," said a UAW 4811 member.
UAW 4811 represents 48,000 graduate student workers across the University of California system. They gathered on the UC San Diego campus to stand up for free speech and the right to peacefully protest, which they believe was violated when law enforcement dismantled the "Gaza Solidarity" encampment. UC San Diego Police reported that 64 arrests were made.
"The riot police brandishing guns, batons and deploying pepper spray in crowds of students and community members here and deploying harm to me and several other peaceful protesters by vilifying us and arresting us," said another union member.
The union's financial secretary said the university put some people on interim suspension following the protests.
"Just this morning several people were told UCSD announced a brand new policy that suspended individuals are not allowed to work or earn wages on our campus," she said.
She said being able to protest for changes in the workplace without facing retaliation is vital.
"For these reasons we the workers of UAW 4811 have filed an unfair labor practice against the University of California for its brutal suspension of free speech," she said.
They're considering a strike and will hold a strike authorization vote next week.
In a statement Tuesday, the university said it fully supports the right to peacefully protest, but is also fully committed to protect the physical safety of those on campus.
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