Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy will no longer contribute towards student-led activities at Harvard after it came to light that money from the firm's Student Conference Fund had been awarded to the group's 'pro-Palestine' student group, Justice for Palestine. In 2012, Milbank established the fund by committing to a $1 million donation over five years. However, the firm has now requested that Harvard use the money for other purposes after it discovered that Justice for Palestine had used $500 from the fund to buy pizza for a discussion entitled 'The Palestine Exception to Free Speech: A Movement Under Attack'. Promotional material for the discussion also carried Milbank's logo as the event sponsor.
Freedom of speech concerns
Milbank has not yet commented publicly on its decision, and it remains unconfirmed whether the firm took any particular issue with the group's 'pro-Palestine' stance. According to Harvard spokesperson Robb London, Milbank decided to reroute its contribution to the school 'to avoid creating any misimpressions that the firm endorses the viewpoints expressed by any particular student or journal.' Harvard has backed Milbank's position and maintained that the 'exceptionally strong relationship' between Harvard and the firm is alive and well. However, Columbia Law School professor Katherine Franke has flagged concerns about freedom of speech and expression on campus. 'This kind of influence will have a chilling effect, to be sure, on the kinds of things students feel comfortable saying,' she commented. Columbia Law School also receives events funding from Milbank. Sources: Business Insider; Palestine Legal
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