New York City, October 2, 2025
News Summary
The cancellation of Ilya Shapiro’s speech at NYU School of Law, intended to address the impacts of cancel culture, raises significant issues surrounding academic freedom and free speech. Security concerns led to the decision, with critics arguing it reflects bias against particular viewpoints. The event was particularly controversial given it was scheduled for a politically sensitive date, prompting debates over the university’s handling of speaker events amid ideological tensions.
New York City – The New York University (NYU) School of Law has canceled a scheduled speech by legal scholar Ilya Shapiro regarding cancel culture due to security concerns. The event was set to address Shapiro’s recent book, “Lawless: The Miseducation of American Elites,” which outlines several instances of cancel culture across American law schools, including his own experiences.
The speech was planned for October 7, a date recognized for the two-year anniversary of a Hamas attack on Israeli citizens. Shapiro, who identifies as Jewish and is a supporter of Israel, was invited to speak by the student chapter of the Federalist Society. However, following an assessment of security, the event was canceled to alleviate strain on NYU’s security resources during that week.
Initially, an administrator named Penelope Fernandes had approved the event, but later communicated to students that it could not proceed as planned. Associate Dean Megan McDermott explained through an email that the cancellation stemmed from legitimate security concerns, emphasizing that campus security would be heavily utilized for other scheduled events during that timeframe.
Despite the cancellation of Shapiro’s talk, the Federalist Society was allowed to organize another event that week, raising concerns about potential bias and selective disfavoring of speakers. McDermott clarified that the decision to cancel was not based on the speaker’s identity or the content of the program.
Shapiro reacted to the cancellation by describing it as an instance of university officials yielding to a “heckler’s veto,” and he offered to send a copy of his book to the NYU dean. The university later indicated that the event was not canceled outright, further complicating the narrative surrounding the decision.
The decision to cancel the event has drawn criticism from several quarters, including Robert Shibley, a free speech advocate. He labeled the university’s actions as a “textbook heckler’s veto,” asserting that educational institutions should not restrict certain speakers while allowing others to present their views.
Ilya Shapiro has a well-documented history with cancel culture in academic settings. His previous experiences include resigning from a planned role at Georgetown University following backlash against a tweet he made about President Biden’s Supreme Court nominee. The tweet touched on topics of racial identity and affirmative action, which ignited criticism and debate.
The issue of free speech in educational institutions has gained increasing attention, particularly as conservative perspectives find themselves the focus of cancel culture dynamics previously associated primarily with the Left. This shift reflects a broader evolution in the political landscape surrounding the protection of free expression within university settings.
NYU’s cancellation of Ilya Shapiro’s speech on cancel culture has sparked significant discourse about academic freedom, security protocols, and the complexities of free speech on college campuses, especially as universities face pressures from varying ideological factions.
FAQ
What was the scheduled event involving Ilya Shapiro?
Ilya Shapiro was scheduled to speak at NYU School of Law on October 7 about his book “Lawless: The Miseducation of American Elites,” which addresses cancel culture incidents in law schools.
Why was the event canceled?
The event was canceled due to security concerns, as NYU’s security resources were said to be strained during that particular week coinciding with other major events.
What were the concerns raised after the cancellation?
Critics questioned the university’s apparent selective approval of other events during the same timeframe, suggesting potential bias against Shapiro as a speaker.
How does this reflect on the issue of free speech in universities?
The cancellation illustrates the ongoing struggles with free speech on college campuses, particularly concerning conservative perspectives, and raises questions about how universities navigate security and ideological pressures.
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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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