Harvard professors banned from library for silent protest

The big picture: The silent faculty protest was meant to show solidarity with students who were already suspended from the library for their own pro-Palestinian study-in last month.

• The results were consistent. Faculty members who protested by showing signs and silently reading material related to free speech received a nearly identical ban notice from library staff.
• The faculty members can still access Harvard's numerous other libraries.

What they're saying: "Seeking attention is in itself disruptive," Harvard Library head Martha Whitehead told the student paper, adding that reading rooms aren't meant for "group action."

What's next: Banned professors can appeal their library suspension by Oct. 29 and some involved expect the incident to come up in faculty meetings.