An Ivy League university’s student union denied responsibility as disruption preceded the evacuation of an event featuring Stephen Colbert and Yo-Yo Ma.
“… they crossed our picket line.”
Late last week, the former CBS host joined the famed cellist and alum as the pair took the stage at Harvard University’s Sanders Theatre to participate in the Office for the Arts’ “Arts for Life’s Sake.” During the question-and-answer portion of the evening, someone allegedly took a page out of former New York Rep. Jamaal Bowman’s (D) playbook and pulled the fire alarm, forcing the entertainers and attendees out of the picketed event.
Since October 27, the Harvard Graduate Student Union has been on strike, demanding a wage increase with raise guarantees, better policies regarding workplace harassment and protections for non-citizens. Though the union detailed it had been in contact with both Colbert and Ma to encourage them to join the picket line rather than cross it, an outright denial of involvement in the alarm’s activation was published on social media.
“Tonight, a fire alarm sounded during an event that HGSU was picketing,” wrote the union that disrupted the speakers with horn-blowing, drum-banging and shouts. “The alarm was unrelated to HGSU’s picketing activity and we have no knowledge of its cause. Members at the picket were relieved to learn that no one inside was at risk. As always, HGSU remains committed to securing a fair contract through collective action and the bargaining process.”
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To that end, Cambridge Day reported that Assistant Fire Chief Scott Volz stated via email, “The fire department investigated the alarm, found no reason for the alarm activation, the alarm system was checked and reset by Harvard Staff and the Fire Department cleared.”
Ahead of the event, in addition to inviting both Colbert and Ma to picket with them, HGSU members encouraged the event be moved, rescheduled, or canceled outright rather than break their line, using the comedian’s past statements in support of the Hollywood writers’ strike and collective bargaining.
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“HGSU-UAW sent multiple formal communications to Colbert and Ma’s teams well in advance of the event that due to ongoing strike action, the building their event would be held at would be one with an active picket and that we encouraged them to move their event to an off-site location or virtually, reschedule the event, or cancel so as to not cross the picket,” another statement from HGSU expressed.
“Colbert and Ma’s respective unions, SAG-AFTRA and the Boston Musicians’ Association, also reached out to them on our behalf with the same request,” added the union. “They continued the event inside without regard for the picket line, and refused to speak with union members as they left the event. In other words — they crossed our picket line.”
Native of Brooklyn, NY, Kevin Haggerty is a graduate of Hunter College where he studied Cultural Anthropology and Geography. An avid reader and truth seeker, he currently resides in Texas with his wife and their dog and, when he isn't researching current events and their impacts, you'll find him spending time with friends and family or working on his next novel.
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