A 45-minute “pray-in” that occurred on campus at the Harvard Divinity School library led to two-week suspensions for the participants from its library. The pray-in was led mostly by Jewish students concerned about the plight of Palestinian people in Gaza. In spite of the fact that the demonstration was centered around prayer, the Harvard Divinity School characterized it as a protest, similar to protests that have occurred in libraries across the campus. While the students were praying over a variety of religious texts and handing out pamphlets, security guards photographed their student IDs, which were then used to issue library suspensions.

If you find that you have been subject to a misconduct violation at your school based upon a protest, be sure and contact the Education Law Team at the Lento Law Firm to help you preserve all of your legal rights at your school. The Education Law Team has helped students all over the country and will work diligently to help your pursue all your legal remedies. Let us help you today. Call us at 888.535.3686 or online.

A Pray-In Can Be a Violation of Rule Against Protests in Libraries and Classrooms

The pray-in was considered a violation of Harvard University's rule against protests, which intends to prevent other students from being distracted or feeling unsafe in libraries and classrooms. The Dean of the Divinity School, Marla F. Frederick, announced the suspension of the students in an email. She stressed the importance of prayer and even prayer as a protest to advocate for people in the world under duress. However, she stated that the pray-in was still in violation of Harvard University's rule against protests in libraries and classrooms and that the rule must be upheld. Harvard Divinity School found that the pray-in was substantially similar to protests in libraries across the Harvard University campus. This was the first suspension at the Harvard Divinity School, although there had been similar two-week bans from Harvard's Weidner Library and the Harvard Law School Library in the previous month following “study-in” protests.

One of the pray-in organizers, Stephanie L. Tabashneck, a Harvard Divinity School student, stated that the ideals of the Harvard Divinity School and the suspension consequences for students who upheld these ideals were in direct conflict. She said that Harvard did not support free speech. Tabashneck stated: “Students from the Divinity School were peacefully gathering in the library and praying, and the idea that praying would be cause for sanction is inconsistent with democracy and inconsistent with the values of the Divinity School.”

The Lento Law Firm Can Help

If you are subject to any type of educational discipline at your school, contact the Education Law Team at the Lento Law Firm. We are experienced in dealing with all types of misconduct violations and discipline issues, and we can answer all of your questions about discipline or misconduct issues arising at your school. The Education Law Team is experienced in all aspects of education law across the country, and we stand ready to help you resolve any school-related concerns or injustices.

As a college student, you have worked hard to get into the college of your choice, and you have too much at stake to handle any discipline or misconduct challenges alone. Your rights deserve the best possible protection and representation. Let us help you today. Call us at 888.535.3686 or online.