News Summary
New York University’s law school canceled a scheduled speech by legal scholar Ilya Shapiro citing security concerns due to heightened alerts. The event, originally intended to discuss Shapiro’s book on cancel culture, has sparked significant debate over free speech and institutional decision-making. Critics, including Shapiro himself, described the cancellation as a ‘heckler’s veto,’ highlighting ongoing tensions between security and academic freedom on university campuses.
New York City, October 8, 2023
The law school at New York University (NYU) canceled a scheduled speech by legal scholar Ilya Shapiro on grounds of security concerns, a move that has sparked debate about free speech and institutional decision-making at elite educational institutions.
Event Cancelation Details
Originally set for October 7, the event was organized to discuss Shapiro’s latest book, Lawless: The Miseducation of American Elites, which examines instances of cancel culture at American law schools, including Shapiro’s own past experiences. The discussion was to focus on topics related to wokeness and cancel culture incidents in academia.
However, NYU law school officials announced that the event was canceled due to security concerns. The reason cited was the proximity of the event date to the second anniversary of a terrorist attack involving Hamas, which heightened security alert levels in New York City, especially in university settings.
Controversy Over the Cancellation
Ilya Shapiro, who is Jewish and publicly supports Israel, faced significant opposition leading up to the event. The event organizers, affiliated with the Federalist Society, initially sought to change the event’s location to ensure better security. Despite these efforts, the event’s date remained fixed due to Shapiro’s limited availability, and the organizers were unable to find a suitable alternative venue or date.
An NYU administrator, Penelope Fernandes, initially indicated that the event could proceed but later informed students that it could not be hosted at all on October 7. Subsequently, Associate Dean Megan McDermott issued an email confirming that security concerns were the main reason for the event’s cancellation, citing that NYU security personnel would be “strained that week” due to the heightened threat climate.
Differing Treatment of Campus Events
Despite the cancellation of Shapiro’s event, the Federalist Society was permitted to host a different event during the same week. This discrepancy has raised questions about whether there was selective disfavoring of certain speakers or organizations on campus.
McDermott clarified that the decision was based on the existing security resources already committed to other events, emphasizing that the event was canceled not because of the speaker or the subject matter but because of logistical limitations and security strain.
Responses and Reactions
Shapiro responded critically, describing the decision as an example of “weak university officials” yielding to what he termed a “heckler’s veto.” He offered to send a copy of his book to the dean of NYU’s law school as a gesture. Meanwhile, NYU later maintained that they did not cancel the event outright, asserting that the event was postponed or relocated, though no alternative arrangements materialized publicly.
Free speech advocate Robert Shibley, representing the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, condemned the decision, calling it a textbook example of a “heckler’s veto,” and underscored the importance of universities allowing varied viewpoints, even amid sensitive or controversial topics. Shibley stressed that institutional refusal to host a speaker based solely on security concerns should not apply selectively to certain individuals or groups.
Background and Broader Context
Ilya Shapiro has a history of facing cancel culture on college campuses. Previously, he resigned from a planned role at Georgetown University after posting a social media comment about President Biden’s Supreme Court nominee, which drew controversy over race and affirmative action issues.
The incident at NYU signifies an ongoing debate across university campuses about free speech, security, and the influence of political and social pressures. It also reflects a shift where conservative voices, historically speaking against cancel culture, now face similar challenges, fueling conversations about fairness in academic speech policies.
Summary
As tensions around free expression and security risks continue to shape campus policies, the NYU incident highlights the delicate balance institutions attempt to maintain between safety and open dialogue. The decision to cancel Ilya Shapiro’s event underscores concerns about the potential for security concerns to be used as a pretext for silencing controversial speakers. The debate persists on whether universities are doing enough to protect free speech or whether security considerations are being exploited to suppress certain viewpoints.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- The College Fix: NYU Law School Cancels Speech About Cancel Culture
- Deseret News: RIP Cancel Culture
- New York Post: NYU College Republican President Ousted
- Washington Post: Hamas, Israel, and Cancel Culture
- Wikipedia: Cancel Culture
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RALEIGH STAFF WRITER The RALEIGH STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERERaleigh.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Raleigh, Wake County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the North Carolina State Fair, Raleigh Arts Festival, and the Hopscotch Music Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce and Visit Raleigh, plus leading businesses in technology and education that power the local economy such as Red Hat and NC State University. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAsheville.com, HERECharlotte.com, HEREGreensboro.com, and HEREOBX.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into North Carolina's dynamic landscape.
