Media release:
Upholding Our Values, Defending Our University
4-21-2025
Dear Members of the Harvard Community,
Over the course of the past week, the federal government has taken several actions following Harvard’s refusal to comply with its illegal demands. Although some members of the administration have said their April 11 letter was sent by mistake, other statements and their actions suggest otherwise. Doubling down on the letter’s sweeping and intrusive demands—which would impose unprecedented and improper control over the University—the government has, in addition to the initial freeze of $2.2 billion in funding, considered taking steps to freeze an additional $1 billion in grants, initiated numerous investigations of Harvard’s operations, threatened the education of international students, and announced that it is considering a revocation of Harvard’s 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status. These actions have stark real-life consequences for patients, students, faculty, staff, researchers, and the standing of American higher education in the world.
Moments ago, we filed a lawsuit to halt the funding freeze because it is unlawful and beyond the government’s authority. I encourage you to read our complaint.*
The consequences of the government’s overreach will be severe and long-lasting. Research that the government has put in jeopardy includes efforts to improve the prospects of children who survive cancer, to understand at the molecular level how cancer spreads throughout the body, to predict the spread of infectious disease outbreaks, and to ease the pain of soldiers wounded on the battlefield. As opportunities to reduce the risk of multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease are on the horizon, the government is slamming on the brakes. The victims will be future patients and their loved ones who will suffer the heartbreak of illnesses that might have been prevented or treated more effectively. Indiscriminately slashing medical, scientific, and technological research undermines the nation’s ability to save American lives, foster American success, and maintain America’s position as a global leader in innovation.
The government has cited the University’s response to antisemitism as a justification for its unlawful action. As a Jew and as an American, I know very well that there are valid concerns about rising antisemitism. To address it effectively requires understanding, intention, and vigilance. Harvard takes that work seriously. We will continue to fight hate with the urgency it demands as we fully comply with our obligations under the law. That is not only our legal responsibility. It is our moral imperative.
Before taking punitive action, the law requires that the federal government engage with us about the ways we are fighting and will continue to fight antisemitism. Instead, the government’s April 11 demands seek to control whom we hire and what we teach. Today, we stand for the values that have made American higher education a beacon for the world. We stand for the truth that colleges and universities across the country can embrace and honor their legal obligations and best fulfill their essential role in society without improper government intrusion. That is how we achieve academic excellence, safeguard open inquiry and freedom of speech, and conduct pioneering research—and how we advance the boundless exploration that propels our nation and its people into a better future.
We acknowledge that we have unfinished business. We need to ensure that the University lives up to its ideals by taking concrete steps to reaffirm a culture of free inquiry, viewpoint diversity, and academic exploration; making changes to our disciplinary systems so they will be more consistent and more effective in ensuring that our students, faculty, and staff take responsibility for their actions; implementing measures to ensure that all members of our community are safe and respected; and adopting important adjustments to the ways we build community—continuing to focus on individuals and their unique characteristics rather than their race. In the days ahead, I will say more about our progress in each of these areas.
We will also soon release the reports of the Task Force on Combating Antisemitism and Anti-Israeli Bias and the Task Force on Combating Anti-Muslim, Anti-Arab, and Anti-Palestinian Bias. I established these groups last year as part of our efforts to address intolerance in our community. The reports are hard-hitting and painful. They also include recommendations with concrete plans for implementation, which we welcome and embrace. No one in our community should experience bias, intolerance, or bigotry. We believe adoption of the recommendations and other measures will go far toward eradicating those evils on our campus.
The time ahead will demand much from each of us, but I am as confident as ever in our ability to meet our challenges with integrity and resolve, our minds set on the work before us and our hearts committed to the future of our beloved University.
Sincerely,
Alan M. Garber
Source: https://www.harvard.edu/president/news/2025/upholding-our-values-defending-our-university/.
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From the lawsuit:
PRAYER FOR RELIEF
...Plaintiff respectfully requests an order:
a. expediting the resolution of this action to prevent further harm to Plaintiff;
b. declaring unlawful Defendants’ Freeze Order and attendant unconstitutional conditions in the April 3 and April 11 Letters, as well as any terminations of, freezes of, or refusals to grant or to continue federal funding undertaken pursuant to those agency actions;
c. vacating and setting aside Defendants’ Freeze Order and attendant unconstitutional conditions in the April 3 and April 11 Letters, as well as any terminations of, freezes of, or refusals to grant or to continue federal funding undertaken pursuant to those agency actions;
d. postponing the effectiveness of the Freeze Order and attendant unconstitutional conditionsin the April 3 and April 11 Letters, as well as any terminations of, freezes of, or refusals to grant or to continue federal funding undertaken pursuant to those agency actions;
e. permanently enjoining Defendants, their agents, and all persons acting in concert or participation with Defendants from implementing, maintaining, or in any way giving effect to the Freeze Order and attendant unconstitutional conditions in the April 3 and April 11 Letters, as well as any terminations of, freezes of, or refusals to grant or to continue federal funding undertaken pursuant to those agency actions;
f. permanently enjoining Defendants from violating Plaintiff’s First Amendment rights;
g. permanently enjoining Defendants from terminating, freezing, or refusing to grant or to continue any federal funding at issue in this case without complying with federal law, including the requirements of Title VI and agency regulations;
h. entering judgment in favor of Plaintiff;
i. awarding Plaintiff its reasonable costs and attorney’s fees in accordance with law, including but not limited to 42 U.S.C. § 1988; and
j. issuing any and all other such relief as the Court deems just and proper.
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*Full lawsuit at https://www.harvard.edu/research-funding/wp-content/uploads/sites/16/2025/04/Harvard-Funding-Freeze-Order-Complaint.pdf or https://ia800402.us.archive.org/9/items/2-final-hjaa-report.-the-soil-beneath-the-encampments/Harvard%20lawsuit%20against%20Trump%20administration%204-21-2025.pdf.
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