Alarm Cuts Colbert, Ma Talk Short; Harvard Workers Strike

A fire alarm sounded during a talk by political commentator Stephen Colbert and cellist Yo-Yo Ma at Harvard University on Thursday night, cutting the event short, The Boston Globe reported. Harvard graduate workers, who have been on strike since Oct. 27, were picketing outside the event at the time, but union leaders said the alarm was “unrelated” to union activity. 

A spokesperson for the Cambridge Fire Department told the Globe that firefighters “found no reason for the alarm activation … The alarm system was checked and reset by Harvard Staff and the Fire Department cleared.” 

The Harvard Graduate Student Union criticized Colbert and Ma for crossing the picket line by continuing with the planned talk, and striking members rallied outside Sanders Theater with horns, drums and chants. Author John Green, who was scheduled to speak on campus earlier that day, canceled his in-person appearance and instead attended the event via Zoom after union members reached out. He also donated to HGSU’s strike fund. 

“The alarm was unrelated to HGSU’s picketing activity and we have no knowledge of its cause,” union leaders said in a statement posted to Instagram. “Members at the picket were relieved to learn that no one inside was at risk. As always, HGSU remains committed to securing a fair contract through collective action and the bargaining process.”

It’s unclear whether Colbert and Ma’s event, which had just entered the question-and-answer portion, will be rescheduled.