Overview
- Mayor Michelle Wu withdrew from Harvard Law’s Class Day after the Harvard Graduate Student Union–UAW asked speakers not to cross its picket line, a move the union praised as solidarity.
- Harvard Law reoriented the Class Day program to prioritize student award winners and remarks from class marshals after Wu and another scheduled speaker were removed from the lineup.
- Wu and Harvard had proposed alternatives, including a virtual appearance or acknowledging the strike from the podium, but union leaders said those options would not satisfy the picket‑line requirement.
- The graduate student strike began on April 21 and entered its 36th day at the time of reporting, with bargaining continuing and a session scheduled for May 29 as the union plans to picket Commencement.
- The change underscores how the walkout is pressing high‑profile figures to respect picket lines and could amplify public and logistical pressure on Harvard as negotiators haggle over pay, benefits and protections for graduate workers.