“I just feel that someone needs to reply,” said one first-year who did want to be identified. “Because to just leave it there is just sort of cowardly and unfair...and someone should stand up and respond to that.”

Last year, HRL’s “Natalie” posters—which illustrated the developmental stages of a fetus—were similarly defaced, sparking a school-wide controversy on whether to uphold the categorical protection of the right to free expression.

The first attack this year reportedly happened during the weekend of Oct. 19, when a number of students destroyed a series of pro-life posters pinned on the bulletin boards of first-year dormitories and undergraduate Houses.

Wednesday’s events again raised those concerns, incensing both conservatives on campus and those simply troubled by their peers’ actions.

“There’s definitely a big double standard at Harvard,” Tapia said. “Many groups here advocate free speech and the expression of ideas, but when it comes to an idea they don’t like, they want to crush it and silence it.”

But some students see HRL’s displays as an abuse of their privileges.

Fervent debates on the philosophical principle of free speech have sprung up on the open e-mail lists of Houses such as Mather and Winthrop, inspired by the issue of the flags as well as HRL’s posters on campus.

And roughly 30 individuals have invited members of HRL to participate in a forum next week about the nature of their campaign.

The members have not yet responded, but Tapia said last night that they will accept the invitation.

“I think it’s a great idea,” Tapia said.

HRL has e-mailed Acting Associate Dean of Harvard College Judith H. Kidd to inquire how Harvard will officially respond to the flag incident.

Kidd was unavailable for comment late last night.

The response to the initial defacement of posters consisted of asking House Masters to send out e-mails which reminded students to “[respect] the rights of all student organizations to poster on campus.”

“I suggested having [the display] up an extra two days next week to make up for it,” Tapia said. “But right now the issue is pretty much in her hands.”