UVa attempts to silence, starve, Living Wage protest

Please contact the Jim Webb campaign and ask Jim to support the Living Wage Campaign at the University of Virginia. Additionally, please write letters to the editor in support of the campaign and contact UVa President John Casteen and let him know how you feel. The most recent press release is in the extended section.

contact Webb campaign: http://webb.bluestatedigital.com/page/s/contact

contact John Casteen: http://www.virginia.edu/president/officestaff.html

UVa Living Wage Campaign website: http://www.uvalivingwage.net/
Charlottesville, VA- Students at the University of Virginia have begun
day three of a sit-in of Madison Hall, where the president's office is
located, demanding a living wage for all campus workers.  Yesterday
the administration tightened regulations on these students; no
deliveries of food or other supplies were allowed to be made and
wireless internet service was purposely cut off to the students.
Students have run out of food and will not be eating breakfast this
morning.  Still, support overflowed outside from across the community,
including letters of support from several UVa groups including the Z
society.  Over 200 faculty members sent a letter to Pres. Casteen
supportive of the Living Wage Campaign.

In the afternoon, UVa Professor Peter Ochs attempted to deliver
Passover food and books for students inside Madison Hall but was
denied. A rally at 1 PM featured student and faculty speakers
including Wende Marshall, tenured professor Grace Hale and the
president of the University Democrats, student Katie Cristol.  A vigil
at 5 PM featured faculty members standing up in support of the
students inside and ended with more than 15 tents set up on the lawn
in front of Madison Hall.  After a high-energy night, over 30 students
slept and kept vigil in front of the building throughout the night.

Much of the discourse throughout Thursday revolved around Founders Day
and the lack of historical integrity with the University's poverty
wages.  In addition, our response to President Casteen's April 12
letter, referring to a letter from the Deputy Attorney General, is
attached to this email. The administration has expressed that they are
unwilling to negotiate wages in any way and thus students have made
clear they will remain sitting in, as the University cannot escape its
moral imperative to respect workers' basic human rights and pay a
living wage.

On Friday, the schedule will continue with a rally at 1pm and a vigil
at 4:45 in front of Madison Hall. At 1pm, Dave Norris and Julian
Taliaferro, candidates for city council, will speak in addition to
former vice-mayor Meredith Richards. Clergy of various backgrounds
will also join us at the rally.  At the evening vigil Charles Marsh,
head of the Project on Liberation Theology at UVa will speak as well
students.

On Saturday April 15, US Congressional Candidate Al Weed will speak at
1 PM.  Many students inside the sit-in are missing key religious
celebrations this week.  Special Easter events will be held Sunday
afternoon in front of Madison Hall and are open to families of
workers, faculty and the Charlottesville community.  Supporters plan a
continued presence at Madison Hall to demand an indexed living wage
for all university workers. 

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