Students at NYU Stage Protest in Underwear for Worker Rights

Last weekend, a group of about 20 New York University students took to the streets, nearly undressed, to protest the school’s expensive merchandise while also highlighting issues around worker rights.

The students marched in front of the Kimmel Center, donning only bras and underwear, capturing the attention of families exploring the campus of this $91,000-a-year institution.

They demanded transparency regarding the production origins of items like $106 sweatshirts and $80 collared pullovers.

During their April 11 demonstration, protesters chanted, “Students, workers, unite, forever in solidarity!” This event coincided with the university’s Weekend on the Square, a time when students and parents visit campus to experience college life.

The students, associated with a group named Students for International Labor Solidarity (SILS), carried signs stating “Stop Secret Sweatshops” and “Show Your Clothes.” They were protesting against what they termed inhumane conditions faced by workers in the clothing manufacturing industry, linking these practices to the university’s choice of apparel suppliers.

Saesha Jindal, a sophomore and SILS member, said, “We are using our strengths as students to work in solidarity with the garment workers who make the apparel that the university profits from in the bookstore.”

Reportedly, NYU’s bookstore carries brands like Champion, Lululemon, and Nike, and sources products from various countries, including Pakistan, India, Jordan, Vietnam, and the United States.

Protesters asserted that NYU is obligated to reveal information about its clothing supply chain.

However, Jindal, 19, and fellow member Jamie Heseltine stated that the university only discloses the final factory location, failing to provide broader transparency.

“They refuse to take actionable steps to make that happen,” Heseltine, a 20-year-old cultural and social analysis major, commented.

The university’s SILS chapter was established about 18 months ago, and the group has been seeking production transparency since late last year.

Active on multiple campuses across the U.S., the organization aims to empower students to advocate for fair labor practices for garment workers in global supply chains.

“By leveraging university-branded apparel manufacturing contracts, we hold universities and apparel brands accountable for their commitment to worker rights,” they stated.