At the beginning of the hearing, an American flag was removed from the platform.

"We open these hearings of inquiry into the recent controversy concerning our demand that 20 per cent of Harvard's construction workers be black, and the resulting discipline of students who demonstrated for that demand," Smith said.

The witnesses charged primarily that:

The CRR hearings were invalid-The so-called Committee on Rights and Responsibilities is not impartial. If it were, the summonses which students have received would not have told them that they have already been found guilty. It were, the hearings would not be held behind locked doors and guarded by policemen. "read a recent OBU press statement.

The charges against students were haphazard: several students testified that they had been present at the demonstrations but were not charged: others had been charged for one occupation when they had participated in both. "Harvard is being very selective." Griffin said. "By aiming at the most prominent. they think they can squelch the movement."

The Administration was using the discipline issue to avoid the political issue: the hiring of more black workers. "They have changed their own position innumerable times." Griflin said. "They said they would accept a percentage [of blacks in the Boston area] arrived at by a legitimate organization," he said. "When the organization we recommended said 18-20 per cent. it was no longer legitimate. Now they're going to punish us, and ignore the percentage."

Asked about the line in Epps' letter saying "I am an academic dean and do not think I should try to represent Harvard's position on employment." Griffin said. "I don't believe Brother Epps has the power to make any decision at all."