New York City, October 2, 2025
News Summary
New York University’s law school has canceled a scheduled event featuring legal scholar Ilya Shapiro due to heightened security concerns coinciding with the anniversary of a terrorist attack. The event was organized by the Federalist Society and was to discuss Shapiro’s book on cancel culture. Critics, including Shapiro, have condemned the decision, branding it a suppression of free speech at educational institutions. Despite the cancellation, the university allowed another event to proceed that week, raising questions about speaker bias.
New York City – New York University’s law school has canceled a speaking engagement by legal scholar Ilya Shapiro that was originally scheduled for October 7. The event would have featured discussions surrounding Shapiro’s book, “Lawless: The Miseducation of American Elites,” which addresses cancel culture incidents at American law schools, including his own experiences with it. The university cited heightened security concerns as the primary reason behind the cancellation, coinciding with the two-year anniversary of a terrorist attack by Hamas on Israeli citizens.
The Federalist Society, who organized the event, sought an alternate location due to these security concerns. However, they were unable to change the date of the event because of Shapiro’s unavailability. Initially, an administrator, Penelope Fernandes, had given the green light for the event to proceed. Following these developments, Fernandes later informed students that the gathering could not take place at all on that date.
Associate Dean Megan McDermott elaborated in an email that security considerations played a crucial role in the cancellation decision. She indicated that the university’s security personnel would be “strained that week” due to other commitments. Despite this cancellation, the Federalist Society was still permitted to host another event that week, raising suspicions about the potential selective disfavoring of speakers.
Following the announcement, McDermott emphasized that the decision to cancel was based on the resources already allocated for existing events that week rather than any issues with Shapiro’s particular program or his views. Shapiro criticized the university’s decision, characterizing it as an illustration of “weak university officials” succumbing to what he referred to as a “heckler’s veto.” He offered to send a copy of his book to the dean of NYU to underscore his points.
NYU later claimed that the cancellation was not definitive, creating confusion about the university’s position on the matter. Robert Shibley, a free speech expert from the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, condemned the university’s actions as a classic example of a “textbook heckler’s veto.” He posited that universities should not exhibit selective favoritism toward certain speakers while allowing other prominent events to continue unhindered.
Shapiro’s record with cancel culture is notable, following his resignation from a planned position at Georgetown University previous to this event. He stepped down after facing backlash for a social media post referencing President Biden’s Supreme Court nominee and discussing affirmative action in relation to judicial appointments. These incidents illustrate the increasingly charged environment surrounding free speech on college campuses, particularly concerning conservative viewpoints.
The political dynamics regarding cancel culture have evolved, with conservatives now experiencing similar ostracism that they once critiqued when it was directed at leftist speakers. This shift highlights ongoing tensions within academic freedom and the broader political landscape regarding free speech in educational institutions.
FAQ
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Why was Ilya Shapiro’s speech canceled?
The event was canceled due to security concerns coinciding with a significant anniversary related to a terrorist attack.
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What was the focus of Shapiro’s speech?
The speech was intended to discuss his book on cancel culture and its implications in law schools.
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Who organized the event?
The event was organized by the Federalist Society at NYU Law School.
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Was the cancellation related to the speaker’s views?
University officials stated that the cancellation was not due to Shapiro’s views, but rather logistical security concerns for the week.
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Was any other event held during the same week?
Yes, the Federalist Society hosted another event that week, which raised questions about consistency in the university’s approach to security for different speakers.
Key Features
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Speaker Name | Ilya Shapiro |
| Event Date | October 7 |
| Event Topic | Cancel Culture and Wokeness |
| Reason for Cancellation | Security Concerns |
| Related Incidents | Cancelled due to security strain during anniversary of terrorist attack |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Faculty Firings Following Controversial Assassination Raise Free Speech Concerns
Controversial Reactions Sparked by Charlie Kirk’s Death
Conservatives Debate Cancel Culture Amid Political Violence
Temple University Student Suspended After Antisemitic Incident
Antisemitic Incident Leads to Student Suspension at Temple University
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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