Constitutional Law Professor Endorses Deplatforming of Ilya Shapiro

On Tuesday, the libertarian-conservative constitutional-law scholar Ilya Shapiro was shouted down by student activists at the University of California, Hastings College of the Law. Shapiro, who has been embroiled in a far-reaching controversy over a series of tweets criticizing the use of racial preferences in Supreme Court nominations, was scheduled to deliver a lecture on campus about the recent Supreme Court vacancy. The event, which was organized by the school chapter of the Federalist Society months in advance, was set to feature a debate between Shapiro and Professor Rory Little, a progressive member of the UC Hastings Law faculty.

That debate never occurred. Instead, students affiliated with the UC Hastings Black Law Students Association (BLSA) hurled profanities (“You’re a f***ing coward!”) and insults (“Are you sad that you’re balding? I would be”) at Shapiro for upwards of 45 minutes. Whenever Shapiro attempted to speak, he was quickly drowned out by shouts and table-pounding from the assembled group of activists. When the academic dean made an effort to calm the room, reminding students of the school code of conduct’s express commitment to free speech and academic freedom, it was met with laughter and boos. “It’s not a legitimate point of view!” a student yelled. “We can’t have a bigot on campus,” another said. One law student approached the dean directly. “Y’all tried me way too many times,” she screamed. “Remove him off the f***ing campus, because that’s what we want.” The crowd cheered.

About the Author

Nate Hochman

Nate Hochman was a staff writer at National Review.

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On Tuesday, the libertarian-conservative constitutional-law scholar Ilya Shapiro was shouted down by student activists at the University of California, Hastings College of the Law. Shapiro, who has been embroiled in a far-reaching controversy over a series of tweets criticizing the use of racial preferences in Supreme Court nominations, was scheduled to deliver a lecture on campus about the recent Supreme Court vacancy. The event, which was organized by the school chapter of the Federalist Society months in advance, was set to feature a debate between Shapiro and Professor Rory Little, a progressive member of the UC Hastings Law faculty.

That debate never occurred. Instead, students affiliated with the UC Hastings Black Law Students Association (BLSA) hurled profanities (“You’re a f***ing coward!”) and insults (“Are you sad that you’re balding? I would be”) at Shapiro for upwards of 45 minutes. Whenever Shapiro attempted to speak, he was quickly drowned out by shouts and table-pounding from the assembled group of activists. When the academic dean made an effort to calm the room, reminding students of the school code of conduct’s express commitment to free speech and academic freedom, it was met with laughter and boos. “It’s not a legitimate point of view!” a student yelled. “We can’t have a bigot on campus,” another said. One law student approached the dean directly. “Y’all tried me way too many times,” she screamed. “Remove him off the f***ing campus, because that’s what we want.” The crowd cheered.