please distribute
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Aug. 26, 2014
CONTACT:
Bryan Pease, Esq. (619) 723-0369 bryanpease@gmail.com
Rene Vera (619) 865-8696 grveraxxx@gmail.com
LA JOLLA - Following attempts by the University of California at San Diego (UCSD) to evict the Che Cafe
Collective from the historical space it has operated continuously since 1980, the Collective has just filed a lawsuit
to challenge the basis for the eviction. The lawsuit alleges that the University colluded with key members of the
Graduate Student Association (GSA) to secretly push through a flawed resolution "decertifying" the Collective so
the University could bypass the space agreement negotiated in 2006.
"If the University wishes to decertify the Che as a student organization, it should do so in a fair and open hearing
and give proper notice of the hearing so members of the campus community can participate," states Bryan
Pease, attorney for the Che. "Instead, this hearing was held with basically no notice, and only one student could
give public comment."
The one student who was able to find out about the hearing in time to give public comment is also a petitioner in
the lawsuit, which alleges that the GSA abused its discretion by failing to support its decision with substantial
evidence, and failing to proceed in a manner authorized by law.
The Collective and its attorney will be in court on Sept. 3 at 1:30 p.m. bringing a motion to quash service of the
eviction action based on improper notice and improper service of the eviction papers. There will also likely be a
hearing the following week on a temporary restraining order to block any further eviction proceedings until a
legitimate GSA hearing and vote can take place regarding the Che's certification.
Meanwhile, support for the Che grows, with over 11,000 signing the online petition in support of the Che, and
dozens of emails, letters, and other comments pouring into the University. Organized labor has taken a stand,
including the statewide UC Council of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), who sent a critical letter to the
Chancellor and the Regents urging that they reconsider their decision to try to remove the Che Cafe from its
current space. Two UCSD Campus unions, the graduate student teaching assistants (UAW Local 2865) and the
Union of Professional and Technical Employees (UPTE-CWA 9119), have also sent letters to UC officials in support of the Che Cafe.
In the midst of the dispute, the Che continues to operate as it has for the past 34 years as a student-controlled,
democratically-run space on campus for students to have a safe and alcohol-free atmosphere for entertainment
and meetings. Although the University shut the gas off at the Cafe, without its consent, and blocked a grant that
the Cafe received to upgrade cooking and refrigeration equipment, the Collective continues to provide healthy
vegan food to its guests utilizing the limited resources it now has.
Several fundraisers and events in support of the Che are being planned, with more information to be released.
Supporters and former members of the Che insist that it has not only provided a safe and accessible venue, but
has provided many UCSD students the skills and experience they need to succeed after graduating, including
many who have gone on to become doctors, lawyers and professors.
To read comments from supporters, show your support, and/or donate to the Che, please visit,
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