Sanctions resound after silent protest at Harvard Library

Regarding “Harvard suspends 25 teachers from the main library: After staging a demonstration criticizing the university’s ban on pro-Palestinian protesters” (Metro, October 26): The Globe reported on a group of Harvard faculty members who were banned by the university from using the main library for two weeks after a demonstration they held there. These faculties, in turn, had protested against a similar suspension of students who had organized a demonstration in another campus library.

The students and professors expressed their anger and disappointment that they had been sanctioned as a result of the demonstrations. However, the story made it clear that, according to administrators, the actions of both the students and professors “violated the rules and regulations regarding library use as specified in the university-wide Statement of Rights and Responsibilities.” So, as I understand it, those who have been suspended are angry because the university, after violating the rules against demonstrations in the library, has imposed a sanction.