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Hundreds of Harvard students and faculty rallied on campus Thursday, decrying former U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent threats to strip the university’s tax-exempt status and limit its ability to host international students. The protest, fueled by TikTok-organized meetups and chants of “Education, Not Exclusion!”, spotlighted growing tensions over academic freedom and global collaboration.
Why the Backlash?
Trump’s proposed policies, criticized as “divisive” by protest leaders, could impact Harvard’s 6,000+ international students and research funding. “This isn’t just about taxes—it’s about silencing ideas,” said a senior majoring in global affairs, who noted 40% of their classmates hail from outside the U.S.
Faculty Speak Out
Professors joined the demonstration, warning that such moves could “throttle innovation” at one of the world’s top research hubs. A physics department member told crowds: “Science has no borders. Neither should universities.”
Organizers say the protest is part of broader youth-led movements defending multicultural education. With debates heating up ahead of U.S. elections, all eyes are on how Gen Z will shape policy fights.
