[act-ma] PROTEST racial discrimination at Harvard, Tuesday 5/5, 12:30 p.m. Holyoke Center, 1350 Mass. Ave.

[Geoff Carens]

*Dear All,

Despite repeated complaints to managers about discrimination at the
Harvard-MIT Data Center, workers and activists say the problem just keeps
getting worse!

Ravi Raj, an immigrant from India, has endured racial slurs and threats of
termination, although he does excellent work. Management recently
disciplined him on flimsy pretexts. On April 24, Ravi had a meeting set up
with administrators, to challenge unfair criticism of his performance, and
make a formal complaint of racial discrimination. Just a few hours before
the meeting, someone Ravi had never seen before confronted him at work,
called him by name, told him he had taken "the wrong path," and should
"watch out." When Ravi asked the man's name, he was told, "call me x," and
"You'll learn my name soon." Management was informed that Ravi reported this
incident to the police. On April 27, Ravi got an anonymous phone call from
someone asking, "how did the police report go?"

Are these events just coincidences, or efforts to intimidate Ravi and
silence him about the discrimination he has faced at work?

Ravi has been called racist names, had his office taken away, was told at
one point he was fired, and has had food dumped on his desk. He has been
passed over for promotion, has been discouraged from participating in social
events at work, and has received mediocre evaluations despite very high
production and many compliments from colleagues.

Please join union members, students and others to send the clear message
that we will not tolerate racism and intimidation in our community! Our
PROTEST will take place Tuesday, May 5, at 12:30 p.m., in front of Harvard's
Holyoke Center, 1350 Mass. Ave., in Harvard Square (next to Au Bon Pain).

Please feel free to send an email to Bill Murphy, Harvard's Director of
Labor Relations, at bill_murphy at harvard.edu. Pls. cc me:
geoff.carens at gmail.com. Suggested text: "I demand that all discrimination
and intimidation against Ravi Raj immediately cease. Ravi should not be
subject to unfair discipline, and deserves a supportive work environment!"

Please feel free to forward this message *as widely as possible*.

In Solidarity,

Geoff Carens, Union Rep, HUCTW/AFSCME local 3650



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