Controversy ignited yesterday at UC San Diego when three academic workers, including two graduate students and an alumnus, found themselves arrested by campus police on charges of felony vandalism and conspiracy to commit a crime. According to NBC San Diego, the trio now faces the possibility of prison time and fines up to $50,000 for allegedly using washable markers and chalk to write slogans like "Living Wage Now" on the Marine Conservation and Technology Facility on May 30. This action was carried out, they said, in the spirit of a peaceful protest meant to call attention to what they see as the administration's failure to uphold negotiated union contracts.
UC San Diego, for its part, claims that the alleged vandalism led to $12,000 in permanent damage to the facility, necessitating expensive professional repairs as reported by KPBS. However, a large group of protesters gathered on July 10 at San Diego's Central Courthouse to express their support for the accused, demanding that the university honor its contracts with union workers. The arraignment for the three individuals was scheduled for the same day, but the San Diego County District Attorney's office issued a written statement noting that the case had not yet been submitted to its office for review, and therefore the arraignment would not proceed at this time.
Jessica Ng, one of the arrested individuals, spoke at the rally, stating, "These charges are meant to intimidate and isolate not just three people but every person who dares to stand up for themselves and their fellow workers." The protesters, who are members of unions representing a range of academic workers in the University of California system, assert that the university has not been honoring the contracts they negotiated with their union, UAW 2865, which represents academic student employees. These claims come despite a resolution to a widespread strike by nearly 50,000 academic workers last year that the United Auto Workers (UAW) hailed as a "historic" victory.
The contracts that have come under fire include demands for 12-month appointments to ensure graduate students receive income during the summer break and a minimum 20-hour work week. The protesters allege that, rather than upholding their end of the deal, the UC system is using punitive measures to silence those who dare to speak out. Tensions between the university and union members have been ongoing: in early May, a protest at an alumni awards celebration resulting in dozens of union members receiving letters alleging potential violations of student conduct procedures and possible disciplinary actions .
UC San Diego has issued a statement supporting the lawful expression of concern by community members but emphasizing that the university "does not tolerate vandalism or other damage to university property" as reported by KPBS. The investigation remains ongoing, and the school has thus far declined to comment further on the case or address the specific concerns raised by the protesters.
