Withdrawal of Boston Mayor from Harvard Law School Commencement

Summary

On May 26, 2026, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu withdrew as the scheduled speaker for Harvard Law School’s Class Day ceremony, which was to be held the following day. Wu’s decision came after the Harvard Graduate Student Union-United Auto Workers (HGSU-UAW), representing about 4,000 graduate student workers, announced plans to picket Harvard commencement events. The union had been on strike since April 21 following unsuccessful contract negotiations with Harvard and asked speakers not to cross its picket line during commencement week.

Wu’s office attempted to reach an arrangement that would allow her to participate without crossing the picket line. Proposed alternatives included having Wu address graduates virtually or acknowledge the strike during her remarks. The union rejected the alternatives, saying that participating in the ceremony would violate the picket line. Wu, a 2007 Harvard College graduate and 2012 Harvard Law School graduate, ultimately declined to participate. Her spokesperson said Wu supported the union’s right to strike and believed in respecting picket lines.

Harvard Law School informed graduates that the ceremony would proceed without Wu. The speaking portion instead featured remarks and tributes from student award recipients and the Class Marshals. HGSU-UAW president Denish Jaswal thanked Wu for declining to cross the picket line and said the union considered participation in the ceremony, regardless of format, inconsistent with the picket line. The union continued picketing Harvard commencement events, including the university-wide commencement on May 28.

HGSU-UAW ended its 40-day strike on June 1 without reaching a new contract with Harvard, with negotiations continuing afterward.