UW students detained in sweatshop protest

Saturday, June 2, student activists from the UW and Seattle University, along with several community members, staged a large protest at the downtown Macy's and Talbots stores, which resulted in the detainment of three demonstrators by Macy's private security.

The demonstration was organized by the Seattle United Students Against Sweatshops Coordinating Committee in response to reports of workers' rights violations in Guatemalan factories that produce apparel for both retailers.

Cimatextiles is a factory in Guatemala that produces apparel for Talbots, Charter Club and Liz Claiborne. The factory has drawn the ire of student activists as a result of attempts to bust the worker's union, which is mostly comprised of women factory laborers.

As part of an ongoing study abroad program, UW students have traveled to Guatemala during the past several years with UW professor Angela Godoy. During the trip, they met with workers in this factory.

Senior Travis Thomas was part of the program last summer and intends to return to Guatemala this summer. He said the experience has made a lasting impression on students.

"These workers faced incredible odds trying to form their union," Thomas said. "Before they had a union, they worked 12-14 hour days without being paid overtime. They were not allowed to get up and get a drink of water at any point in their workday because that would have taken time away from production. Factory owners didn't want the burden of having to pay for the two minutes it takes to get a drink of water, or the other two minutes it then takes to go to the bathroom."

The workers who continue to fight for the union faces constant persecution and death threats.

"I met a woman who was accosted by 10 men from the factory while she was walking home," Thomas said. "They followed her, shouting insulting things, which she said were so offensive that she did not feel comfortable repeating them. Finally, one of the men told her, 'I'm going to finish you off.' She's now afraid to leave the factory, and she fears for her children, who have to stay home alone. These death threats are very real."

The demonstration began in Westlake Park across from Talbots. Demonstrators carried large puppets, which they used for a mock trial where they found Talbots "guilty" of human rights violations. The group remained outside Talbots for some time, with police reinforcing the line between public and private property.

"The police assured us that we were fine," Thomas said. "This was a legitimate and legal protest."

The group, which numbered about 40, then split into two groups. The first continued the outdoor demonstration; the second proceeded across the street to Macy's.

"We sort of snuck in [to Macy's] and made our way upstairs," Thomas said. "We went up to the Liz Claiborne and Charter Club section, then started making a bunch of noise."

At this time, UW senior Rod Palmquist began speaking into a bullhorn.

"He began informing customers that the garments they were purchasing were from Guatemala, and that they were likely made by women who were experiencing serious ... human rights violations," Thomas said. "We were basically trying to raise awareness."

The group was planning to hold a "sleep-in" in solidarity with the workers who must sleep in the factories at night rather than going home. Instead, they were ordered out of the store by Macy's Security.

"This is private property, so they were trespassing. They were very disruptive and wouldn't leave," said Kimberly Reason, Macy's corporate communications representative.

After security told the protestors to exit the store, most began filing out. Palmquist, however, refused to move. According to the group's Web site, which includes photos documenting the day's events, he was then lifted up by security and escorted to the basement, where shoplifters and other security violators are typically detained. Demonstrator April Nishimura was also detained, as was Larry Hildes, who was acting as a legal observer for the group.

Demonstrators who remained outside began using the bullhorn to chant "Free Rod" and "Free April." Eventually Palmquist, Nishimura and Hildes were all released.

Palmquist contends that when he was approached by security, he told them he was not going to resist arrest, and the security guard told him he already had, Thomas said. The security guard then jerked him by his arm, and held it twisted behind his back as he was escorted to the basement.

Thomas does not believe that security acted unlawfully, but that they handled the situation appropriately.

"They misled Rod about his legal rights," Thomas said. "Later that day, Rod was saying that his arm really hurt. Whether or not they liked our presence, it's not right to brutalize students."

Reason, who does not oversee security but spoke on behalf of Macy's, said the security guards did what their job required of them.

"We operate in partnership with the Seattle Police; everything was done legally," she said. "We operated lawfully to protect our costumers and our associates from a very disruptive, very loud demonstration that was inappropriate. Our customers were not happy and were relieved when [the demonstrators] were dealt with appropriately."

Reason said during the demonstration a handbag display fixture was knocked over, furthering concern that the protest was getting out of hand.

Thomas claims this was not the case.

"We were extremely respectful of private property. No one touched anything. There's a possibility something could have gotten knocked over when we were exiting the store. We were definitely loud and disruptive [HTML_REMOVED] that was our point [HTML_REMOVED] but we were very respectful of private property."

So far no legal actions have been taken by the either demonstrators or the retailers.

[HTML_REMOVED]Reach Siv Prince at news@thedaily.washington.edu[HTML_REMOVED]