New York University School of Law: Student Bar Association President Investigated for Pro-Palestinian Email

On October 10, 2023, Ryna Workman sent an email to the New York University School of Law’s student body expressing the belief that Israel bears the full responsibility for the Oct. 7 attack. In response, NYU Law publicly announced in a New York Times article that it was investigating Workman. FIRE wrote NYU on October 16 urging it to cease its investigation, as Workman’s email was political speech protected by NYU’s free speech policies. FIRE also argued the email did not meet the standard for harassment, even if it  expressed views that many found offensive.  Workman’s email, we wrote, reflects core political speech which the First Amendment is meant to protect. NYU did not respond.