Harvard University: Pro-Palestine protestors reject President's proposal to end demonstrations

The protesting students have rejected a proposal from interim University President Alan M. Garber ’76 to end their two-week occupation of Harvard Yard.

As per the social media post posted by the group leading the encampment, the members of the pro-Palestine encampment rejected a proposal from interim University President Alan M. Garber ’76 to end their two-week occupation of Harvard Yard. The protesting students were threatened to give involuntary leave of absence notices.

As per the Crimson report, the President is already facing pressure from his faculty that he should negotiate with the protesting students.

Harvard Out of Occupied Palestine (HOOP) representatives did not accepted the proposal offered to them and this breakdown in negotiations means that the dozens of students who participated in the encampment will soon be placed on involuntary leave from their schools.

“In short, Garber ignored us, threatened us, refused to negotiate with us, and will now be the first Harvard president in recent memory to suspend students en masse for protesting,” HOOP wrote.

Harvard spokesperson Jonathan L. Swain said, "Garber has made clear the University’s commitment to reasoned discussion of complex issues, including the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. However, as he said, ‘initiating these difficult and crucial conversations does not require, or justify, interfering with the educational environment and Harvard’s academic mission."

Protesters chose to remain in the encampment “because we know there is no sacrifice too large to protest Harvard’s complicity in genocide," said the demonstrators. 

The Background

On May 7, protestors raised a flag over University Hall in the afternoon which was removed by Harvard facilities staff.

Harvard University press release said, "A flag raised by protesters over University Hall this afternoon, May 7, was removed by Harvard facilities staff. The protesters’ actions are a violation of University policy and the individuals will be subject to disciplinary action."

The American flag was not flying at University Hall at the time. University procedures are that the American flag is raised in University Hall each Monday through Friday at 7 am and lowered at 4 pm for proper storage, added the statement.

The protests continue in the US and other countries even after US Republican lawmakers have introduced the “Antisemitism Community Service Act,”. This absurd bill seeks to send “any person convicted of unlawful activity” at a college or university, to do community service in Gaza for six months.

Read more:

• Republican presents Absurd Bill to Send Arrested Student Protesters to Gaza
• George Washington University: Pepper spray used on pro-Palestine protestors; 33 arrested