UofL students stage sit-in over university's clothing contract

LOUISVILLE, KY (WAVE) - Students began a sit-in Monday afternoon outside the office of University of Louisville President James Ramsey over the school's contract with a popular apparel manufacturer.

The group Cards United Against Sweatshops has been protesting for roughly a year, urging the university to end its contract with JanSport, a company that makes clothing and fan gear. The group's members say JanSport's parent company VF Corporation does not have fire safety standards to protect its workers in Bangladesh.

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The students started their protest inside Ramsey's office, but they were not given access to restrooms there. So they moved to the rotunda outside Ramsey's door. They say they will stay there as long as it takes.

"We are out here until they cut the contract, or we come out in handcuffs," said protester Kate Hall, a UofL sophomore. "I am confident they are going to cut the contract. I don't think, given recent press, they want to deal with arresting 30 students."

UofL's dean of students has said the university's licensing deal is with JanSport, not VF. According to Jansport's website, "JanSport does not, nor has JanSport ever, had products manufactured in Bangladesh."

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