Protestors Set Up Camp in Harvard Yard

Pro-Palestine activists declared part of Harvard Yard a "liberated zone," mimicking similar protests at peer institutions.

Around 12:40 pm this afternoon, student activists began occupying a portion of Harvard Yard to protest what they describe as Harvard’s investment in Israel’s war in Gaza. Organizers had announced the protest earlier this morning via an Instagram post from the Palestine Solidarity Committee (PSC). Police presence in the Yard is relatively subdued; so far, the protest has remained non-violent and public walkways are accessible. Activists were overheard claiming that they would remain encamped in the Yard until their demands are met.

The Instagram post frames the protest as a response to the PSC’s suspension by university officials earlier this week. Per Harvard’s Student Organization Resource Guide, “a suspended student organization must cease all organizational activities.” 

The move comes despite attempts by university administration to prevent such an event. Beginning on Monday of this week, access to the Yard was restricted to Harvard ID holders. This policy is still in force, suggesting that most, if not all, of those participating in the protest are active Harvard students or staff. The new rules also state that “tents and tables are not permitted in the Yard without prior permission.”

University representatives did not reply to the Salient’s request for comment on whether further administrative action will be taken against the PSC and other students involved. 

The form of the protest was evidently inspired by similar encampments at MIT, Yale, and Columbia, among other campuses. Students at Columbia were removed by the NYPD before reforming their camp earlier this week. As on those campuses, some protestors intend to remain overnight; a tent labeled “Liberated Zone” in the middle of the encampment is full of food and other provisions.

Organizers alternated between giving speeches on Harvard’s alleged complicity in the “ongoing genocide” in Gaza and leading attendees in various chants. These included “from the river to the sea,” as well as “there is only one solution, intifada revolution,” an apparent call for the continuation of armed struggle against the state of Israel.

In addition to the PSC, signs at the event indicated the participation of Harvard Out of Occupied Palestine. The encampment also had a banner from HGSU-UAW Local 5118, a chapter of the UAW representing graduate student workers at the university, as well as signs depicting the logo of the UAW itself. Neither representatives of HGSU-UAW Local 5118 nor of the UAW itself responded to requests for comment.

This is a breaking news story and will be updated as events develop.