Boston Mayor Michelle Wu's planned appearance at Harvard is off the calendar after a group of student organizations yanked their support, leading the mayor to pull the plug on the April 30 event. According to a text message seen by The Harvard Crimson, the Asian American Foundation, who initially organized the talk, saw affiliate groups pull out in protest against Wu’s recent decision to disperse a student demonstration at nearby Emerson College using law enforcement.

The text message revealed that Mayor Wu decided not to come "after discussing with the relevant parties." Citing a stance against threats to free speech and peaceful protests, an event organizer expressed gratitude to those who highlighted the controversy. The gathering was meant to shine a spotlight on Wu's career and Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) experiences in politics, as part of the Campus Speaker Series.

The Harvard Foundation for Intercultural and Race Relations posted on Instagram, explaining the event's cancellation was due to "escalating tensions on campus," following a talk with Mayor Wu's office. Notably absent from their statement was any mention of the mass student group withdrawal that had taken place.

Reacting to a "violent police presence" seen at Emerson, a South Asian Association member made it known in a group chat that their comfort with endorsing Wu had become strained. Boston Police had arrested over 100 students at an Emerson College protest, with Mayor Wu later articulating that the decision for removal was made in conjunction with Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox, as stated in a report by the The Harvard Crimson.

Logos of the withdrawing groups were requested to be stripped from event materials, and an Asian American Foundation organizer acknowledged the promotional poster's removal in a group chat. The dissenting organizations comprised of various Harvard-affiliated Asian American and Pacific Islander groups, all listed in the The Harvard Crimson report.

The Harvard-Radcliffe Asian American Association took to Instagram to voice their opposition to police brutality, asserting, "We hope everyone stays safe in this critical time and that student voices are uplifted and amplified." This sentiment underscored the growing dissatisfaction among student groups with the mayor's handling of campus protests and broader concerns over freedom of speech and police response.