The UC academics union is organizing rallies in support of the protesters

SAN DIEGO — A union demonstrated Tuesday evening in solidarity with protesters who were arrested Monday morning at UC San Diego. The arrests came as law enforcement authorities dismantled the Gaza Solidarity camp, which first formed last week.

UAW 4811 organized the rally to show solidarity with the protesters who were arrested at the on-campus encampment.

“Solidarity means standing together with all working people. No matter where they live on this earth, their fight is our fight,” said a UAW 4811 member.

UAW 4811 represents 48,000 graduate students across the University of California system. They gathered on the UC San Diego campus to advocate for free speech and the right to peaceful protest, which they said was violated when law enforcement dismantled the Gaza Solidarity camp. UC San Diego police reported there were 64 arrests.

“Riot police brandished guns, batons and used pepper spray on the crowd of students and community members, harming me and several other peaceful protesters by vilifying and arresting us,” another union member said.

The union’s finance secretary said the university had provisionally suspended some people following the protests.

“Just this morning, several people were informed that UCSD announced a brand new policy that will not allow suspended individuals to work or earn wages on our campus,” she said.

She said it’s crucial to be able to protest for changes in the workplace without facing retaliation.

“For these reasons, we, the workers of UAW 4811, have filed an unfair labor practice claim against the University of California for its brutal suspension of free speech,” she said.

They are considering a strike and will vote on strike authorization next week.

In a statement on Tuesday, the university said it fully supports the right to peaceful protest, but is also fully committed to protecting the physical safety of people on campus.

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