Harvard anti-Israel protesters raise Palestinian flag where American flag usually flies
Anti-Israel protesters at Harvard University flew three Palestinian flags where the American flag is often flown.
The group of three protestors hoisted the flag on Saturday over the John Harvard…
Anti-Israel protesters at Harvard University flew three Palestinian flags where the American flag is often flown.
The group of three protestors hoisted the flag on Saturday over the John Harvard statue until university officials were alerted.
In a viral video, the student protestors can be heard cheering and chanting “free, free Palestine,” as the flags are being hosted in the air.
Minutes afterward, campus police officers called Harvard Yard Operations to have the flags removed, according to The Harvard Crimson.
As the Harvard employee lowered the flag, protestors loudly shouted “shame.”
Following the incident, Harvard spokesperson Jonathan Swain stated raising the flags was “a violation of University policy and the individuals involved will be subject to disciplinary action.”
At 9 p.m. seven administrators, including the Dean of Student Services Michael Burke, began checking IDs in the encampment zone, warning of disciplinary action, including the possibility that graduating seniors could have their degrees withheld.
“Repeat violations of University and School policies will result in increasingly severe sanctions,” the slip stated, according to The Crimson, adding that “students with pending disciplinary matters may not be granted a degree.”
As the administrators exited University Hall, protestors chanted “admin, admin, you can’t hide, we charge with genocide” and “every dollar Harvard supplies, a neighborhood in Gaza dies.”
On Monday, more than 30 undergraduates were asked to appear before the Harvard College Administrative Board. The board will decide whether students will face disciplinary action for their continued participation in allegedly “pro-Palestine” encampment.
Critics maintain the demonstrations are often antisemitic, and Jewish students at Harvard and other universities with similar protests report being harassed and feeling unsafe.
Protests are ongoing at universities such as UCLA, MIT, Columbia, Yale and NYU.
