On October 24, 2024, Harvard University banned approximately 60 law students from entering the Langdell Library for two weeks after they engaged in a silent “study-in.”

The law students’ study-in followed similar demonstrations on September 21 by a group of students at the Widener Library (see report) and on October 16 by faculty members (see report), also at the Widener Library. In both cases, students and faculty members were banned from entering the library for two weeks.

On October 17, a group of around 60 law students entered the Langdell Library and sat in the reading room for around 45 minutes. They wore keffiyehs, Palestinian scarves, and worked on their computers with signs taped to their backs, reading “Harvard Divest from Death” and “Israel bombed a hospital, again.” Outside the library, Langdell Library administrators distributed fliers stating that “Libraries are not spaces available for protests or demonstrations.” Inside the library, administrators with Harvard Law School’s Campus Safety Department asked students for their names and ID numbers.

On October 24, protest participants received an email from Langdell Library, notifying them that they were banned from entering the building for two weeks, until November 7. They were informed that they would still be able to borrow books and could physically access other libraries on campus.

In response to the bans, students again conducted a study-in in Langdell Library on October 25. They were, again, banned from entering the building for two weeks.

Some banned students appealed their suspensions, arguing that the study-ins had not been disruptive. Their appeals were rejected.

Scholars at Risk is concerned about a university taking disciplinary action against students in retaliation for exercising their rights to free expression in a manner that is not disruptive. While university authorities should endeavor to prevent disruptions that inappropriately inhibit the functioning of or access to higher education, they must do so consistent with their responsibility to ensure academic freedom and free expression on campus. Even relatively minor disciplinary penalties for non-disruptive actions undermines academic freedom and democratic society generally.

Sources:
https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2024/10/18/harvard-law-gaza-study-in/
https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2024/10/25/langdell-hall-hls-sit-in-palestine/ https://www.wgbh.org/news/local/2024-10-25/harvard-students-faculty-decry-suspensions-over-recent-library-protests
https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2024/11/9/hls-library-study-in-appeals-rejected/