Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center: Administration Cancels Speaking Event Featuring Retired Third-Trimester Abortion Provider

On January 26, 2026, Medical Students for Choice, a recognized student organization at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, was set to host a speaking event featuring retired third-trimester abortion provider Shelley Sella. After a cancellation campaign by TTUHSC’s chapter of TPUSA and two off-campus pro-life activists, TTUHSC cancelled the talk. On January 30, FIRE wrote TTUHSC, explaining that cancelling a student event because others are opposed to the speaker and her views is viewpoint discrimination — something the First Amendment doesn’t permit. FIRE urged TTUHSC to allow Medical Students for Choice to reschedule the event and, moving forward, not cancel student-sponsored events based on negative reactions.