UPDATED
In a show of activist solidarity, hundreds of student climate change protesters from Harvard and Yale stormed the football field during the classic “Yale Bowl,” delaying the second half of the game until security removed them.
According to The Crimson, the protesters entered the field with about three minutes remaining in halftime, and stalled the start of the third quarter by about a half hour. Hundreds more spectators joined them, according to the report.
At halftime of Harvard-Yale a sit in protesting climate issues has broken out on the field, at least delaying the second half and the way the protest is growing I would be shocked if the game continues. pic.twitter.com/2BWCU2fLuI
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) November 23, 2019
Activists carried signs saying “Yale and Harvard United for Climate Justice” and chanted “Divest!” Upon being escorted off the field, they yelled “Disclose, divest, or this will be our death!”
The Yale Daily News adds that protesters also chanted “Okay, boomer!” and “This is what democracy looks like!” It notes the activists also demanded divestment from private prisons and Puerto Rico’s debt.
https://twitter.com/FTBeard11/status/1198320184332709889
ESPN’s Matt Barrie said activists were requesting that police arrest them; he tweeted that police were tying protesters together “two at a time, and are taking them off the field.”
The New York Post’s Joel Sherman tweeted the game resumed after roughly an hour delay, and that most of the demonstrators left the field without incident.
UPDATE: Several Democratic candidates for president voiced their support for the protest, according to The Crimson. Elizabeth Warren tweeted “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.”
Bernie Sander took to Twitter to say “Congratulations to the young people demanding a sustainable future for our planet. We are with you in this fight,” while Julian Castro added “From the March for Our Lives, to worldwide Climate Strikes, students and young people are leading the charge to protect their futures.”
Fossil Free Yale has set up a GoFundMe page for those arrested at the protest; its goal is $20,000. The maximum fine for a disorderly conduct charge is $500.
MORE: Cornell activists send divestment complaint to NY attorney general
IMAGE: Sam Felder / Flickr.com
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