I am writing to support Antonio Rivas' hunger strike this week in order to bring needed attention to various situations of injustice upon our campus.Tony is a dedicated, committed individual involved in several campus groups working toward social and economic justice. His hunger strike marks the nationwide Week of Action, and reminds us all of the inconsistencies practiced by our own administration here at Notre Dame. Tony's commitment to the strike also reminds us of what power students have; we must choose to act in socially and ethically responsible ways by encouraging the administration to fully live out its proudly-held Catholic heritage. The principles of Catholic social teaching maintain a dignified standard of human and labor rights not always recognized by companies associating with Notre Dame. Taco Bell's lack of responsibility for their labor practices which keep farm-workers in poverty, the Gallo Wines' longstanding labor abuses and corresponding boycott, the lack of unions for our campus workers, the utterly discriminatory decision denying United in Diversity its right to form a club and other important corporate and social decisions affecting our campus must not be ignored.Please support Tony's hunger strike by investigating these issues and encouraging the administration to do so as well, focusing upon justice and equality and responding as a Catholic institution should.
Kate Maichsenioroff campusMar. 29
