Overview

• Internal emails show administrators anticipated a higher likelihood of demonstrations tied to the Oct. 7, 2023 anniversary and asked organizers to move the date.
• Associate Dean Megan McDermott later said the law school could not host the program anywhere on campus during Oct. 6–10 due to security needs and prior resource commitments.
• NYU spokesperson Michael Orey said the school did not cancel the appearance, stating it requested an alternative date and remains willing to host Ilya Shapiro at another time.
• The Federalist Society relocated the program to an off-campus venue and set a nationally streamed discussion featuring Shapiro, Judges Lisa Branch and Roy Altman, and free-speech advocate Nadine Strossen.
• Shapiro and student organizers accuse the administration of yielding to a “heckler’s veto,” while reporting notes other NYU Law events remain scheduled on Oct. 7.