Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Pakistani army: 6 soldiers and 7 militants killed in clash near the Afghan border
Israeli media: Sirens sound in the settlement of Kerem Shalom in the Gaza envelope area
Afghan source to Al Mayadeen: We still believe in dialogue and prioritize diplomatic solutions with Pakistan; though we are ready for all possibilities.
Afghan source to Al Mayadeen: Pakistan purposely obstructed negotiations in Turkey by making unrealistic demands.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: More than 70 martyrs in Israeli attacks on Gaza since dawn.
Death toll from latest Israeli strikes on Gaza rises to 30
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Five killed in the Israeli bombing of a civilian vehicle on Al-Qassam Street in Khan Younis, south of the Gaza Strip
Hamas confirms that it has no connection to the shooting incident in Rafah and affirms its commitment to the ceasefire agreement
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Two civilians were killed and four others, including a child and an infant, were injured in an Israeli bombing of a house belonging to the Al-Banna family in the al-Sabra neighborhood, south of Gaza City
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: An Israeli airstrike targets the vicinity of Al-Shifa Medical Complex, west of Gaza City

Harvard students rally as Trump targets grants, international programs

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: News websites
  • 28 May 2025 09:01
  • 2 Shares
4 Min Read

Hundreds of Harvard students marched in protest after US President Trump announced plans to cancel federal contracts with the university, affecting international students and academic programs.

Listen
  • x
  • Harvard graduating senior Victor Flores claps while listening to a fellow student speak at a protest against Trump's recent sanctions against Harvard in front of Science Center Plaza, May 27, 2025, in Cambridge, Mass. (AP)
    Harvard graduating senior Victor Flores claps while listening to a fellow student speak at a protest against Trump's recent sanctions against Harvard in front of Science Center Plaza, May 27, 2025, in Cambridge, Mass. (AP)

Harvard University students staged a large protest on Tuesday in Cambridge, Massachusetts, following the US government’s announcement that it plans to cancel all remaining financial contracts with the institution. The decision is part of President Donald Trump's broader education policy campaign, which critics say seeks to exert political control over elite academic institutions.

Hundreds of students gathered to oppose what they see as an aggressive move by Trump against Harvard, with the latest measure alone estimated to be worth $100 million. Demonstrators criticized the administration’s push to pressure the university into accepting oversight of its curriculum, admissions, and research practices.

Placards at the rally included slogans such as “Trump = traitor,” while students chanted in support of their international peers with phrases like, “Who belongs in class today, let them stay.” These chants referred to the uncertainty facing foreign students after the university’s accreditation to the Student and Exchange Visitor Program was revoked by the Trump administration.

“I feel it’s my responsibility to speak out,” said Alice Goyer, a US student who wore a black academic gown to the protest. “All my international friends and professors are at risk of deportation or forced to transfer to other institutions.”

This comes in light of an earlier decision, in which Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem revoked Harvard’s certification under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), halting its ability to enroll foreign nationals and raising serious concerns about the future of thousands of students and the university’s financial stability.

Noem had said Thursday that "this administration is holding Harvard accountable for fostering violence, anti-Semitism, and coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party on its campus."

The protest occurred just days before the university’s 2025 graduation ceremony, with students and families already gathered in Cambridge.

Trump administration moves to cut Harvard funding

Related News

Russia will negotiate with Trump based on Russian interests: Kremlin

US military denies withdrawal from Europe despite forces reduction

The White House has defended its actions, claiming taxpayer funds should prioritize vocational training and public education.

“The president is more interested in giving that taxpayer money to trade schools and programs and state schools where they are promoting American values,” said Trump spokesperson Karoline Leavitt in an interview on Fox News. “We need more of those in our country, and less LGBTQ graduate majors from Harvard University.”

The $100 million in contracts under threat are the latest in a series of funding cuts targeting Harvard. In recent weeks, the administration has frozen billions of dollars in federal grants and canceled other government agreements with the university. Trump's policies have been widely interpreted as part of a campaign against what he characterizes as liberal bias in academia.

Harvard has responded with multiple legal challenges, including efforts to restore its right to recruit and sponsor international students, who make up 27% of its student population. Legal experts believe the university has a strong case.

“The court system is not going to step to the side and allow this to go forward,” said Ray Brescia, a professor at Albany Law School. “The flaws in the administration’s legal approach are significant enough that a higher court would likely intervene.”

An additional lawsuit from Harvard alumni is expected on June 9, according to filmmaker Anurima Bhargava, who spoke during a virtual event organized by Crimson Courage, an alumni group that is raising awareness and financial support.

Read more: Harvard agrees to discuss divestment from 'Israel' following protests

Symbolic timing with graduation ceremony

The timing of the protest, overlapping with Harvard’s graduation week, brought added visibility to the cause. Helicopters hovered overhead as students in academic attire mingled at campus receptions.

Jack, a British student who graduated from the history of medicine program, said that Trump’s education policy could deter future international students. “The cloud may pass, but the damage will be done,” he said. “I don’t know if I’d pursue a PhD here, six years is a long time when you don’t know where you stand.”

Despite a restraining order issued by a judge ahead of a Thursday hearing, Trump has vowed to press on, labeling some foreign students as “radicalized lunatics, troublemakers.”

Harvard’s legal battles continue, but students, faculty, and alumni remain vocal in their resistance to what they see as a political attack on higher education.

  • United States
  • Karoline Leavitt
  • Trump administration
  • Harvard University
  • Harvard students
  • Donald Trump
  • Harvard

Most Read

'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

  • Technology
  • 24 Oct 2025
Arab League chief exposes secret US deal shielding 'Israel’s' nukes

Arab League chief exposes secret US deal shielding 'Israel’s' nukes

  • Politics
  • 27 Oct 2025
US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

  • Africa
  • 23 Oct 2025
What Marr evidently didn't seem to understand was that Hedges isn't saying that Western journalists manipulate the truth, but that they systematically amplify Israeli narratives they know are false. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Batoul Chamas)

Western journalists know they have a case to answer for their betrayal of Gaza, and it frightens them

  • Opinion
  • 24 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Saudi's PIF refocuses on AI, logistics, and religious tourism
Economy

Saudi Arabia's fund refocuses on AI, logistics, and religious tourism

Detained Bahraini activist al-Khawaja starts new hunger strike.
Politics

Detained Bahraini activist al-Khawaja starts new hunger strike

Israel fortifies Gaza’s "yellow line," prepares to dig in.
Politics

'Israel' fortifies Gaza’s 'yellow line,' prepares to dig in: WSJ

President Donald Trump speaks to reporters aboard Air Force One as he travels from Tokyo, Japan, to South Korea, on October 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
Asia

Trump’s weak dollar strategy risks global fallout: Forbes

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS