As Yale and Harvard condemn the climate protests that delayed a football game between the two Ivy League universities Saturday, Democrat 2020 candidates have chosen to speak out in support of those who stormed the field.
Divest Harvard and Fossil Free Yale, the two student groups that stormed and delayed the 136th edition game between Harvard and Yale, demanded the Ivy League schools cease their investments into fossil fuel systems and cancel holdings on Puerto Rican debt.
The Harvard Crimson reported Sunday that three minutes before halftime of the game, several students charged the field for a sit-in protest yelling “Divest!” and bearing signs “Yalies for Climate Justice.”
Hundreds of more spectators joined the protesters on the field. The game was already delayed by a half-hour before Yale and New Haven police intervened. Outside the stadium, protesters chanted “Disclose, Divest, or this Will be our Death!”
I support the students, organizers, and activists demanding accountability on climate action and more at #HarvardYale. Climate change is an existential threat, and we must take bold action to fight this crisis. https://t.co/lm1V6honI4
— Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) November 24, 2019
The New York Times reported that 42 misdemeanor summons for disorderly conduct were issued. The New York Times spoke to a Harvard senior Caleb Schwartz, who received one of the summonses.
“It felt really good because we know that people support divestment but now we know that people will take extra action to support this cause,” said Schwartz. “It was energetic. It was both scary and exhilarating.”
Fossil Free Yale has started a Go Fund Me Page to raise $20,000 in legal fees, reaching half of its goal just one day after the protest occurred.
See Also: Climate Change Protesters Storm Harvard-Yale Game During Halftime
In an email conversation, Ivy League spokesperson Matthew Planto told The Harvard Crimson that while the university supports the right to demonstrate, it was “regrettable” it took place during the college football game.
“It is regrettable that the orchestrated protest came during a time when fellow students were participating in a collegiate career-defining contest and an annual tradition when thousands gather from around the world to enjoy and celebrate the storied traditions of both football programs and universities,” Planto wrote.
Harvard spokeswoman Rachel Dane said that Harvard does not use their endowment for political pursuits or purposes and that the university “respectfully disagree[s]” with the protesters.
“While we agree on the urgency of this global challenge, we respectfully disagree with divestment activists on the means by which a university should confront it,” Dane wrote. “Universities like Harvard have a crucial role to play in tackling climate change and Harvard is fully committed to leadership in this area through research, education, community engagement, dramatically reducing its own carbon footprint, and using our campus as a testbed for piloting and proving solutions.”
Activism disrupts the present to change the future. 🌎 https://t.co/K4OLyeATMu
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) November 23, 2019
Many Politicians, including 2020 Democrat presidential candidates, have tweeted in support of the protesters. Senator Ed Markey (D-MA) tweeted Saturday to thank the protesters for their “leadership.”
Presidential hopefuls Bernie Sanders and Julian Castro also tweeted in support of the protesters. Former Harvard law professor, presidential candidate, and Sen. Elizabeth Warren also chimed in, along with long-time climate change activist Al Gore, who called the protesters’ actions “powerful.”
When people come together to stand up for justice, we win. Congratulations to the young people demanding a sustainable future for our planet. We are with you in this fight. https://t.co/l86n85UIcy
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) November 23, 2019
Campus Reform reached out to the Harvard and Yale police departments as well as the schools but did not receive a response in time for publication.
Read more at Campus Reform
The same Democratic party that supports Antifa and founded the KKK yes its the Stupid Jackass Party
The term “sustainable” is triggering my barf reflex.
There was more than the crime of going onto football. This is a clear attempt at extortion, trying to force someone to do something that they don’t want to do.
The Democratic candidates who applauded this action are endorsing extortion. It show what a sorry state that political party is in.
Keep it up, killjoys.
I would like to put these idiots to work Building Bird Houses and Feeders,Planting Trees and cleaning up litter along the highways and make them learn some real responsibility
In the USA
The ” democrat ” party could not exist without
gross stupidity across a wide portion of the electorate.
In communist countries the ideology exists because the commons
accept it as an appropriate social control
AND FOR THE SAME REASON.
These protestors and others like them, who disrupt civil activities and interfere with our lives are nothing more than vandals and should be regarded as criminals. Free Speech is not a license to damage society.
So the Stupid Jackass Party applauds these group of hooligans invading a Football Game to unfurl their stupid banners and chant their idiotic slogans Yeah and what dose the Stupid Jackass Party think about thousands of Americans standing up for their 2nd Amendment Rights? Yes Ladies and Gentleman and Children of all ages the Stupid Jackass Party supports these Hooligans
There is an appropriate time & place for just about anything. This football game was NOT the appropriate venue for a climate protest. First, it’s about enjoying a sporting event free of being impinged by somebody else’s political views. NOBODY went there for a lecture on ANY issue. Second, it’s senior day and you are honoring your universities athletes for their hard work & dedication. It’s (really) about the players, fans & traditions…NOT your SELFISH agenda. Lastly, this stadium has no lights and this game got extended until dark. There could have been potential safety issues for the players as a result of this delay. UNCOOL! So, I respectfully disagree with all the various political candidates that supported this activity. I’d suggest you folks all “grow up”…
We don’t need to worry about what kind of planet we leave our kids, but what kind of kids we leave our planet. The fools will eventually kill themselves freezing and starving to death.