An anonymous group of activists hung yellow banners out of the windows of the Willard and Sackett buildings yesterday afternoon encouraging Penn State to adopt policies ensuring that university apparel isn't manufactured in sweatshops.

Olivia Guevara, co-founder of the Student Labor Action Project (SLAP), said she received an anonymous e-mail requesting the presence of anti-sweatshop groups on campus at 12:30 p.m. yesterday, but that she didn't know what was going to happen when they got there.

"It was from a Hotmail account, so I don't know if it was a student," Guevara said. "All they said is there are going to be actions in front of Willard, Sackett and the HUB."

The e-mail Guevara received said the demonstration was part of a "national day of action in support of sweat-free purchasing policies," and was designed to encourage Penn State to adopt the Designated Suppliers Program.

Erin Davis, a member of United Students Against Sweatshops (USAS), said she was happy that her group and the shadow group that hung the banners had a shared interest.

"This didn't have anything to do with USAS and SLAP whatsoever," Davis said while passing out fliers in front the banner at Willard.

Zach Scheid, co-founder of SLAP, said the Designated Suppliers Program requires apparel to be made in factories where workers' rights are protected. "The only way to ensure that our clothing is not made in sweatshops is through the [Designated Suppliers Program]," Scheid said.

In the past, anti-sweatshop groups have posted letters to Graham Spanier on Old Main doors and handed out literature in the semi-nude.

In reference to whether the apparel companies producing Penn State merchandise used sweatshops, Penn State spokesman Tysen Kendig said, "We don't believe that we are."

Guevara said "the administration is very conservative" and that her group "might be reprimanded" if it was hung the banners out of the windows without permission.

Guevara said she will be participating in a protest against sweatshops at the Board of Trustees meeting today.