UCD 4 COLA

In the latest case of explicit and blatant UC police attacks on UC students and workers, UCPD at UCSD recently arrested several academic workers for allegedly chalking (writing with chalk on sidewalks, paths, etc.) in support of a campaign demanding year long appointments of at least 50% for all grad students. This is not a misuse of police and is instead yet another example of the fundamental role that UC police, like all police, play in society. The primary job of police is not to create safety or protect regular people, it's to defend the ruling class and status quo from challenge and restructuring by the people, especially the most marginalized.

One way to help push toward a better system is by removing police from UC campuses, a broad concept and decentralized movement known as Cops Off Campus. There are a diversity of tactics that can be used to support and advance this movement but one useful mechanism is contract negotiations. Unfortunately, UAW 2865's admin caucus (now called MADE, previously called UfA and OSWP) largely dismissed and sidelined this demand in 2018 and 2022, but there's still an opportunity to strongly incorporate it in the next round of bargaining that begins in about a year and a half. Starting to plan for that now is important while simultaneously engaging in other tactics and mechanisms, both within and beyond the UAW, that oppose policing.

At 5:30pm today (Tuesday, Aug. 15) there's a virtual event with panelists discussing the UCSD situation in the context of these broader issues. Join (through a Zoom RSVP) if you're able to (https://ucdavis.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJcoceGurT0jHNXK72wfmzXqqP6dZIfdexql #/registration)!

Everyone deserves a safe workplace! Yet UC Davis workers have experienced various forms of abuse over the past few months, including sexual harassment, bullying, and discrimination, without support from the administration (despite going through multiple official channels and processes). In fact, they're now also being retaliated against by UCD admin (along with continuing to be denied support for the original abuse). Sign the petition below demanding that these, and all, survivors receive the resources and structures necessary to thrive, including interim measures that keep them safe during UCD's (often lengthy) investigations!

UC Davis protects harassers while refusing to implement safety measures for survivors of sexual assault, bullying, and discrimination Please click the link to complete this form.