Florida State students arrested for protesting outside 'free-speech areas'

By The Associated Press

03.27.02

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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Twelve Florida State University students were arrested on trespassing charges after protesting what they say is the university's support of sweatshops.

The members of the United Students Against Sweatshops had set up tents and were planning an evening sit-down protest on March 25 when campus police arrived. The students were arrested after they refused to move their protest to one of the school's designated "free-speech areas."

Whether disciplinary action will be taken against the students has not been decided, said FSU spokesman David Cox.

The protesters, some carrying American flags and a sign that read, "Your First Amendment rights don't apply here," chanted as they were placed into patrol cars. They were booked at the Leon County Jail and released after posting $500 bail each.

The students want Florida State to join an organization that opposes sweatshop labor, saying the school has contracts with shoemakers who have been accused of using overseas sweatshops.

FSU President Sandy D'Alemberte said yesterday that the accusation that the school supports sweatshops was "pretty far-fetched."

He noted that FSU was one of the founding universities to put together the Fair Labor Organization, which set up a monitoring system for the manufacturers of these goods.

"We're very actively involved in human rights issues," said D'Alemberte. "I think the students are right to worry about this issue, but that does not translate into the university becoming a member of their organization."

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