NYU Students Protest School Merch in Underwear Over Sweatshop Claims

Roughly 20 students at the $91,000-per-year university frolicked in their bras and underwear outside the Kimmel Center, demanding the school reveal its clothing supply chain.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 11:40am

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A high-contrast, silkscreen-style illustration featuring a repeated pattern of a single NYU-branded clothing item in a grid of bright, unnatural colors without any text or labels.A bold, pop art-inspired illustration captures the vibrant protest against NYU's apparel supply chain.NYC Today

A group of ultra-woke New York University students stripped down to their underwear and protested their school's merchandise, claiming the clothing is made in sweatshops with unfair labor practices. The students, part of the group Students of International Labor Solidarity (SILS), marched outside the Kimmel Center during a campus event, chanting slogans and holding signs demanding NYU disclose the full details of its clothing supply chain.

Why it matters

The protest highlights growing concerns among some students about the labor practices behind the apparel sold at university bookstores. NYU is obligated to disclose its clothing supply chains, but the students claim the school has only shared information about the final factories used, not the full manufacturing process.

The details

Roughly 20 NYU students participated in the protest, frolicking in their bras and underwear outside the Kimmel Center. They were part of the SILS group, which was founded about a year and a half ago and started demanding disclosure from the university in October. The students claim NYU is 'covering up labor violations' by not fully revealing its clothing supply chain, which includes brands like Champion, Lululemon, and Nike, with items manufactured in countries like Pakistan, India, Jordan, Vietnam, and the USA.

  • The protest took place on April 11, 2026 during NYU's 'Weekend on the Square' event when students and parents were on campus.
  • SILS started demanding disclosure from NYU in October 2025.

The players

Students of International Labor Solidarity (SILS)

A student group at NYU that organized the protest against the university's clothing supply chain and alleged sweatshop labor practices.

Saesha Jindal

A sophomore studying social and cultural analysis at NYU and a member of SILS.

Jamie Hesseltine

A sophomore social and cultural analysis major at NYU and a member of SILS.

Joseph Tirella

NYU Senior Director of Executive Communications, who stated the university has a code of conduct to uphold fair labor standards for its licensed merchandise.

Neetu Arnold

A policy analyst focused on K-12 and higher education at the Manhattan Institute, who criticized the protest as potentially becoming 'political theater' without clearly expanding opportunities for workers.

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What they’re saying

“We use our leverage as students to work in solidarity with garment workers making apparel that the university profits off of in our bookstore.”

— Saesha Jindal, SILS member and NYU sophomore

“They refuse to take any actionable steps to make that happen.”

— Jamie Hesseltine, SILS member and NYU sophomore

“It's an active decision to cover up labor violations.”

— Jamie Hesseltine, SILS member and NYU sophomore

“All NYU merch is made under a 'code of conduct that is intended to uphold fair labor standards, prohibit sweatshop conditions, and ensure compliance with applicable labor laws'.”

— Joseph Tirella, NYU Senior Director of Executive Communications

“These kinds of protests certainly grab attention. Shaming universities to cut ties may feel morally satisfying, but it can be short-sighted. At its worst, this activism becomes political theater, generating attention without clearly expanding real opportunities for the workers activists claim to help.”

— Neetu Arnold, Policy analyst, Manhattan Institute

What’s next

SILS plans to continue its 'Follow the Thread' transparency campaign, pushing NYU to fully disclose the details of its clothing supply chain. The university has stated it actively monitors and enforces its code of conduct with licensees, but the student group remains unsatisfied with the level of disclosure so far.

The takeaway

This protest highlights the growing focus on ethical and transparent supply chains, especially among socially-conscious college students. While NYU claims to have standards in place, the students argue the university is not doing enough to ensure fair labor practices throughout its merchandise production. The debate over how universities should balance brand partnerships and student activism continues.