Sports
Climate Protest Delays Harvard, Yale Football Game
The Harvard-Yale football game was delayed due to a peaceful protest over climate change.
CAMBRIDGE, MA — The Harvard-Yale football game at the historic Yale Bowl was delayed by nearly 40 minutes Saturday after fans from both universities flooded the field to ask Yale and Harvard to divest their endowments from fossil fuels and Puerto Rican debt, according the Harvard Crimson.
The climate change-related protest started with about 50 people but grew to some 1,000 during halftime. The protesters unfurled a banner that read ""Presidents Bacow and Salovey: Our future demands action now."
The second half kickoff was delayed as Harvard led Yale 15 to 3 in the annual rivalry game. Once the game resumed, Yale won an in double overtime 50-43 over Harvard. Yale trailed 36-19 in the fourth quarter before scoring a touchdown and recovering an onside kick, which turned the game.
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The protest targeted both universities and a pamphlet used by protesters read, "When Harvard and Yale invest in companies that destroy our planet, and [its] people, they are complicit in the climate crisis - nobody wins. Inaction is no longer acceptable," according to Hearst Connecticut.
The protest got the attention of politicians and activists near and far.
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"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," Sen. Elizabeth Warren tweeted.
Sen. Ed Markey echoed that sentiment, tweeting "Nobody wins unless we take bold action to reverse the climate crisis."
Most fans left on their own, though a dozen or two were arrested, according to the Associated Press.
Police are cuffing and arresting the climate protesters at Harvard Yale football game.
— Ryan (@RyanMaue) November 23, 2019
Harvard-Yale game delayed by student protest over climate injustice. (via @lim_woojin)pic.twitter.com/2yEjivdRJw
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) November 23, 2019
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
Peaceful protest breaks up at Yale-Havard game. "The Game must resume," announcer says. pic.twitter.com/t8VD5dGZh2
— Paul Hughes (@RA_PaulHughes) November 23, 2019
The Harvard-Yale football game has been delayed due to students protesting climate change in the middle of the field. pic.twitter.com/uY9Kc3Mn32
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) November 23, 2019
You know what’s more important than a football game? The survival of the human race Complain all you want but if we don’t do something now Harvard won’t be able to continue beating Yale 100 years from now because there will be no human race. #HarvardYale
— David Hogg text VOTE to 954-954 (@davidhogg111) November 23, 2019
I congratulate & thank @fossilfreeyale & @DivestHarvard & the work of young activists around the globe who are calling for urgent change to the status quo. Harvard and Yale, it’s time to divest. Because when it comes to the further destruction of our planet #nobodywins pic.twitter.com/015ZQ64CcI
— Daryl Hannah (@dhlovelife) November 23, 2019
-Additional reporting by Brian McCready
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