Critical updates on the first week of the #FireKatehi movement
As we reach one week of occupation at Mrak hall, tensions between students and admin continue to grow
Many UC Davis students are following the #FireKatehi movement and its occupation of Mrak Hall.
Here are some updates from the last few days.
Photo Credit: Fire Katehi Facebook Page
On Saturday night, two of the iconic Egghead statues were vandalized
The phrase “Fire Katehi” was spray painted on them. The graffiti was cleaned up the following afternoon, and the vandals were not caught.
None of the protesters were involved or knew anything about any of the vandalism.
The Chancellor showed her face on day 5
Chancellor Linda P.B. Katehi herself actually showed up (Video credit Diana Mabel Cruz).
She only stayed for a few minutes, refusing to answer actual questions and accused the protesters of being misinformed and dishonest. She left shortly after, ignoring the complaints of students.
Thus, the occupation continued, even after her visit.
Photo credit: Assembly member Jose Medina
An Assembly member spoke to protestors
The same day, California Assembly member Jose Medina, Chair of the Assembly Higher Education Committee, met with student protesters in support.
The committee will be holding an oversight hearing on April 4 in order to decide whether or not Katehi broke UC policies by joining outside paid boards.
The “Gender Neutral Bathroom” signs placed on the men’s and women’s bathrooms were taken down
They were removed over 12 times by administrative staff. When asked by students why the signs were being taken down, One staff member allegedly said “I don’t want to pee next to a man”, and another staff member said “I don’t care about transgender people”.
Students immediately put up new signs when they were taken down, and eventually were able to educate the staff on why gender-neutral restrooms and bathroom justice are so important to transgender and gender nonconforming people.
The staff responsible for the removal of signs will be receiving sensitivity training from the LGBTQIA Resource Center.
The movement has received letters of support from the various groups and people
Since our occupation began we have received the following letters of support: UC Student Workers Union UAW 2865, ASUCD President Vice President and Senate President Pro Tempore, ASUCD Senator Noor Adilla Jamaludin, ASUCD Senator Josh Dalavai, ASUCD Senator Parteek Singh, Davis Faculty Association, UPTE-CWA, UAW 5810, UC Davis Queer Student Union, Members of the Asian American Pacific Islander and Desi American (AAPIDA) student community, RAVT New Hope UC Davis, Students for Justice In Palestine UC Davis, Jewish Voice for Peace UC Davis, Graduate Students in Performance Studies, Graduate Students in the History Department, An Alumni Letter is gathering signatures, Transgender Visibility and Education Network, UC Davis Tri-Cooperatives, Residents of the Domes Baggins End UC Davis, Campus Survivor Statement on Katehi, Democratic Socialists of America Sacramento, Party for Socialism and Liberation Sacramento Branch, Davis Students for Bernie, Portland State University Student Union, Davis Citizens for a Living Wage
The University Mansion, 18 College Park, Davis. Photo credit: Daviswiki
On Wednesday, students protesters showed up at Katehi’s house (The University Mansion)
They asked to see Chancellor Katehi, but she was unable to come to the door because she was hosting a faculty dinner.
Photo credit: Heracleum Mantegazzianum
6 different protest songs have been made for this movement
They’re awesome. Check them out on SoundCloud.
The movement is still ongoing, and there are many ways you as students and community members can help!
Check the Facebook page for more information.