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flo chapgier's avatar

From Steven’s words :

“ ultimately, the oppressor can only succeed as far as the oppressed will permit.”

Hear, hear 👏🤺🌸🌿

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Patricia Lane's avatar

Thank you Harvard for all of your integrity and dedication to the truth , being challenged by a twisted political monster , who exists merely to terrorize its citizens.

More of the institutions aggressively shaken down by this president must say no.

Law firms must say no . People being singled out by this hateful , destructive , and corrupt political faction must say no to being shaken down .

Unfortunately the numbers of Americans that believed his lies are now seeing the truth. They only had to listen to his rants to see where this was going .Rubio is another disgrace as well ,Musk and many other capricious greedy individuals who have sold their souls.

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Homi Hormasji's avatar

Thank you, Steven, for applauding Alan Garber's principled stand in refusing to bow down to the immoral demands of our dictatorial regime.

May Judge Luttig's contention that this could be the turning point prove to be correct. When men of goodwill gather, all things are possible.

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CAM from 🇨🇦's avatar

Finally an institution of higher learning is defying Trump’s rule by fiat. May others follow in its footsteps in order that their missions are not obliterated by the egomaniacal decisions of the worst US president to ever sit behind the resolute desk.

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Mrs. S's avatar

I hope Columbia University reads his letter, cancels their agreement, and sues the hell out of the current administration.

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Marliss Desens's avatar

Trump isn't done with Columbia. He now wants to put them under receivership. So, the reward for bending the knee is to have the face smashed into the ground.

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Mrs. S's avatar

Stand up, stand up for freedom, ye soldiers of the Guard,

Lift high scholars' banners, they must not suffer loss.

From protest unto victory, states' millions shall you lead.

Till every wrong is vanquished

And 🗽 liberty rings again.

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Nadine Roddy's avatar

If Harvard had fallen, I would have despaired for American higher education. But instead there's hope!

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Doug Wright's avatar

After one of your earlier excellent essays I wrote: "I keep wondering where the 'have you no sense of decency' moment might occur to break the fever, but I'm at a loss."

I got a small hint of that 'possible moment' hearing Harvard's statement. And as you say, courage is contagious. Just think if more choose the same stance.

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Jim Gray's avatar

It is now time for the network anchors of both morning and evening news programs to engage in an “Edward R. Murrow moment” and call for the removal of Donald Trump as president of the United States.

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Mrs. S's avatar

Yes, please! I would like to see anchors speak the names of the disappeared every night, names up in lights on the wall beside them. There was a 19 yr old Venezuelan born, legally here young man in NYC who ICE picked up outside his home. An ICE agent said he wasn't the right person. Other guy said it doesn't matter. Pick him up anyway. Disappeared to El Salvador prison. Illegally kidnapped to a torture concentration prison. Remember and fight back.

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Mrs. S's avatar

Some were picked up by ICE or their minions, homeland security investigations, in February, others in March, deported March 15 and 16, 2025, and it continues.

Say their names.

Kilmar Abrego Garcia

238 additional men

El Salvador refused to take 8 women, and non-Venezuelans. But they took Mr. Abrego Garcia. Why?

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Mrs. S's avatar

And not only that, they were returned to the US. Return is possible!

Is it time for women in the US and around the world to gather in every city square and bear witness to the disappeared, the tortured, the murdered?

We remember history. Do not forget. Welcome the stranger, the refugees, remember Joseph and Mary's sojourn in Egypt. When his own regional ruler, Herod, would have murdered baby Jesus. Remember Gaza. Remember Sudan. Remember Sierra Leone.

Remember Ukraine.

Remember the United States.

Let that chill your bones.

Stand up, speak out,fight back!

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Richard Van Atta's avatar

Students , professors and administrators at Harvard should hold their heads high as their President Garber has set the standard for opposing the Trump (mal) Administration’s attempt to stifle our fundamental freedoms. It is clear we are in for a difficult fight to keep the Trump Cabal from destroying our democracy.

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Mary Greenwald's avatar

And yet Ted Cruz, Mike Crapo, and Tom Cotton are current Senators who endorse all the evil Trump is effecting on America. All graduates of Harvard Law.

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Richard Van Atta's avatar

Ain’t nuthin but a bit of Ivy League hypocrisy…. You can teach law but I guess you can’t morality.

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Todd Barnhill's avatar

Thank you, Harvard.

You found courage where others didn’t to fight this regime and it’s fascist bullshit. May you inspire others with your bravery.

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Marliss Desens's avatar

They also found two highly respected Republican lawyers to represent them. Reports say these are the attorneys who would have represented Paul, Weiss law firm if it had not decided to cave to Trump.

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Kit Harbison's avatar

My daughter works in Devlopment for the Chan School of Public Health at Harvard University. So proud of her and the school’s administration. And btw, Trump has no power over any organization’s tax status.

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rachel rosin's avatar

“greviously egregious”….love your wording, Steven!

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Mary Jane Pagan's avatar

The Dean of Georgetown’s Law School, William Treanor, pushed back on Trump’s bullying on March 7. Trump’s admin threatened never to give GU Law students essential government internships, unless the school caved on its DEI principles. The Dean cited values of diversity as central to its Jesuit identity and mission, and protected by the Constitution. That’s a tough nut for this administration to crack, liberal Christianity.

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Ann Sharon's avatar

Harvard has a long history of accomplishment to protect; a lot of clout and a huge endowment. $2B isn’t chicken feed but it’s a smaller dent by % in their $50+Billion endowment. Probably why the next threat was to take away their not-for-profit status. I hope their donors and attorneys will stand with them for the long haul; find ways to protect their assets and spur higher ed to organize to protect themselves. All the comments I heard to day from students and others interviewed were positive and oozed pride.

Well Done!

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Mrs. S's avatar

We will not surrender, either.

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Baden Ewart's avatar

Well done Harvard.

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Kaleani's avatar

Great column, thank you!

I am so happy! People and institutions are beginning to wake up. Maybe corporations will follow, we hope they can understand that without a democracy or republic their chances of survival will be reduced, drastically in some cases..they need people!

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