Students and alumni from Harvard and Yale set aside the century-old rivalry at the 141st football game to stage a public show of unity against what they described as the Trump administration’s attacks on higher education. The demonstration brought together current students, alumni and faculty voices to highlight concerns about federal policy shifts affecting campus autonomy and academic freedom. Organizers said the event was driven by recent federal actions — including the Education Department reorganization and political pressure on campus journalists and scholars — that they say threaten institutional independence. Campus leaders and alumni who attended emphasized coordinated messaging and pledged to press university trustees and state officials on protections for research, speech and student affairs.