“Rally for Transparency at Pitt” presents Chancellor Gallagher with demands

By Chloe Chappell and Will Glomski

 

On Friday, students from the Fossil-Free Pitt Coalition and United Students Against Sweatshops gathered to stage a protest with a list of demands for Chancellor Patrick Gallagher intended to incite administrative and social change.

The protesters gathered at twelve o’clock on Thursday, September 15th in Schenley Plaza where they talked what they felt were major issues with the University of Pittsburgh.

The complete list of demands is as follows:

 

1. That all student workers be paid a minimum, living wage of $15 an hour.
2. That the University freezes tuition hikes and advocates for federal cancellation of student debt and free tuition.
3. That the University vocally endorses a grad student union.
4. That the University Immediately stops spending money, time and resources on union busting tactics, and creating intimidating environments that prevent workers from having free choice
5. That the University divest its financial holdings in fossil fuels
6. That the University takes a firm stance against private prisons. Any investments or connections between private prison corporations and the University of Pittsburgh should be made transparent and terminated.
7. That the University declares itself a sanctuary campus
8. That gender neutral bathrooms are accessible in every campus building
9. That the University promises a real commitment to diversifying the student body (in class, race, gender/sexuality), investing in cultural organizations, rather than merely advertising itself as diverse institution.
10. That the University prioritizes and provides affordable housing for all student tenants.
11. That the University sustainably invest in the interest of the Pittsburgh community, rather than its own interest, or those or the board of trustees
12. That all campus cops are disarmed and that city cops are banned from campus
13. That the University commits to increased transparency in its investments, and that students, faculty, staff and alumni know exactly where Pitt’s money is going
14. That the University commits to switching to renewable energy
15. That Chancellor Gallagher takes a 10 percent paycut to hike employee pay

Fossil-Free Pitt Coalition and United Students Against Sweatshops participated in the protest, with student Isabelle Ouyang leading it . Protesters expressed their concern surrounding Pittsburgh police coming onto campus to detain students for ICE. Protest organizer Isabelle Ouyang was very adamant how students should not be detained and removed from campus, which Ouyang said is an “institution of learning” where students are trying to better themselves with an education. Some of the demonstrators held cardboard signs where each of the fifteen demands was written and displayed for their audience, which largely consisted of people eating lunch at the tables that line Schenley Plaza.

 

            

Representative speakers from the two groups used a small megaphone to list the demands and reasons why they were important, although it was still hard to hear over the traffic around the Plaza. One speaker told The Pitt Maverick that their reason for protesting was to stop “white supremacy.” The list of demands can be found on the event’s Facebook page, where the purpose of the event is also stated.

 

The demonstrators congregated with cardboard signs and a banner stating “We’re Still Here” and after listing their demands and voicing their concerns, the focus of which was making Pitt a sanctuary campus, the protestors left Schenley Plaza and marched towards the Cathedral of Learning. Specifically, the main target of the protest was the Chancellor’s Office, where they turned in their list of demands for the consideration of the administration.

 

During their march to Chancellor Gallagher’s office, protestors chanted, “Pitt don’t sell us short, show us your expense report!” Many were wearing orange shirts branded with the words “Pitt Divest.” Their bullhorn chants were barely audible, but got the message across, drawing in some bystanders. Most people did not seem to mind their presence and gazed on with averted eyes. Their shouts and chants drew eyes and some questions to The Pitt Maverick’s reporters   their goal.

 

The group of twenty-six students chanted “We will be back,” while leaving the Cathedral of Learning. Most protesters declined to comment.

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