Harvard students rush Harvard Yard for Palestine tent encampment; Emerson students protesting too

“The stated basis for the suspension was the fact that the PSC was still on probation and had been notified that further violations could result in suspension,” the ACLU of Massachusetts wrote in a letter to Harvard on Wednesday.

“The alleged violations were that, on April 19, 2024, ‘the PSC co-sponsored a demonstration with unrecognized student organizations, failed to register the demonstration with the Office of Student Engagement, and violated the Responsible Use of Space Policy outlined in the Student Organization Resource Guide,’” the ACLU added.

Across the river at Emerson, students have set up a tent encampment in support of Palestine in the Boylston Place Alley.

“Consistent with Emerson’s values and as a matter of principle, we support our community’s right to express their views through protest,” Emerson officials wrote to the school community on Wednesday. “However, they must do so in a manner consistent with the laws of the City of Boston and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

“Our utmost priority is the safety and welfare of our community, and we are deeply concerned that the protesters are risking legal consequences beyond Emerson’s control when they do not abide by city and state laws,” the officials added.

Boylston Place Alley is not solely owned by Emerson College and has a public right-of-way under the jurisdiction of Boston Police and Boston Fire — which told Emerson’s leadership that some of the protesters’ actions are violating city ordinances, “which could result in imminent law enforcement action,” the officials said.

“Most notably, the Commissioners expressed that the tents occupying Boylston Place Alley violate city ordinances prohibiting tents in a public right-of-way,” the Emerson leaders added. “They also noted alleged violations involving blocking pedestrian access to the alley, public noise violations, and ongoing reports of fire hazards posed by blocking doors and hydrants. These are not Emerson College rules but laws and ordinances enforced by the city and the commonwealth.”

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