United Students Against Sweatshops honor six-month anniversary of Rana Plaza factory collapse

On April 24, 2013, the Rana Plaza factory in Bangladesh collapsed, killing more than 1,130 workers. This is the most tragic event in history of the garment industry to this day. Disasters similar to Rana Plaza have occurred in Bangladesh for many years; since 2005, more than 1,800 workers have died from preventable deaths. These tragedies result from a lack of brand accountability. According to a report released by the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, more than 90 percent of the factories in Bangladesh are structurally unsound or do not comply with proper fire safety standards.

United Students Against Sweatshops has designated this week as a week of action to stand in solidarity with Bangladeshi workers that risk their lives to feed American consumerism. Today marks the six-month anniversary of Rana Plaza and USAS Syracuse will be hosting a vigil to honor all individuals affected by this tragedy. This event acts as a call to action for the Syracuse community to commemorate the lives lost. We encourage all students to join us tonight at 8 p.m. in front of Hendricks Chapel steps on the Syracuse University campus.

Sincerely,
United Students Against Sweatshops Syracuse