Audio
Final Press Conference for Science Hill Tree Sit
Dec 13th
On December 13th, tree-sit spokespersyn Jennifer Charles, tree-sit supporter Dani Drake, and tree-sitter Sorrel, held a press conference at the base of UC Santa Cruz to read an official tree-sit statement. They also spoke personally about the tree-sit, ongoing struggle against UCSC’s expansion into Upper Campus and answered questions from the media, supporters and others in attendance.
The tree-sit drew to a close that morning when UC police seized control of Science Hill and arrested the last remaining tree-sitter. William’s Tree Service, protected by fences and UC police, proceeded to cut down Redwoods and Oak Trees to make way for construction of a Biomedical building.
Read More with Photos and Audio
The University is Unsustainable: A presentation by Darwin BondGraham and Will Parrish
Jun 2nd
On June 2nd, the Education for Sustainable Living Program (ESLP) class at UC Santa Cruz hosted an evening entitled “The University is Unsustainable: militarism, nuclearism, corporatism and the UC.” Student researchers Jono and Leah presented on UCSC’s Long Range Development Plan (LRDP) while UCSC alumni Will Parrish and Darwin BondGraham focused on the University of California from 1868 to 2008, from the genocide of Indigenous Nations, the Spanish American War and the Manhattan Project, through to the present: a time of renewed nuclear-militarism and increasing corporatization and privatization of the University.
The full presentations by Jono, Leah, Will and Darwin are published at the following link in audio (mp3) format. Read More with Photos and Audio
UC Service Workers Announce STRIKE on June 4th and 5th
May 23rd
On May 23rd, 2008, workers at the University of California at Santa Cruz, and across the entire UC system, announced the almost unanimous vote of “Yes!” to strike to win a fair contract. Workers and students assembled in the Baytree Plaza at UC Santa Cruz to publicize the overwhelmingly affirmative vote to strike for two days from Wednesday, June 4th through Thursday, June 5th. However, the workers, who have been negotiating in good faith since August, still hold hope that a strike can be averted.
The central issue has been that wages have fallen dramatically behind other hospitals (UC has 5 medical centers) and California’s community colleges where workers are paid an average of 25% higher for the same work. For service workers, wages are as low as $10 an hour, forcing many to work 2-3 jobs or rely on public assistance to meet the basic needs of their families. Read More with Photos and Audio
Oaxacan Perspectives on the Binational Struggles of Mexican Indigenous Migrant Communities
Apr 25th
On April 24th and 25th, Centolia Maldonado Vasquez and Bernardo Ramirez Bautista, Oaxaca-based members of the Binational Front of Indigenous Organizations, gave presentations in Greenfield and at UC Santa Cruz on indigenous Mexican migration to the U.S. and its impact in the communities of origin, the current political situation in Oaxaca, the role of women in the movement for social justice in Oaxaca, and current challenges of indigenous governing community institutions in Oaxaca.
Audio recordings of the presentations by Centolia and Bernardo are available for download at the link below. Each recording is approximately 40 minutes (81 minutes total) and the language is Spanish. Read More with Photos and Audio
Peter Young Speaks at SHAC 7 Benefit in Santa Cruz
Feb 23rd
On February 23rd, noted animal rights activist Peter Young spoke at the Louden Nelson Center in Santa Cruz about his experiences with the animal liberation movement. His talk was followed by a screening of the film “Behind the Mask“, a thought provoking film that gives an in-depth look at the lives and motivations of animal liberationists. The event was a benefit for the SHAC 7; six individuals whose 1st Amendment rights were violated when they were sent to prison for defending animals by merely drawing attention to the horrors that go on at an animal testing facility called Huntingdon Life Sciences.
In 1997, Peter and a friend liberated over 8,000 mink and foxes from various fur farms in a two-week road trip across three midwestern states. Read More and Listen to Audio
