NYU Law Bans 31 Students Over Pro-Palestine Sit-Ins, Fueling Free Speech Debate

A major conflict at NYU School of Law erupted after administrators banned 31 students who staged pro-Palestine sit-in demonstrations, blocking their access to all campus facilities until they forswear future protests. The ban means these law students cannot enter libraries, classrooms, or even housing, threatening their ability to sit final exams. School officials defend the move as necessary to prevent disruptive occupation of offices, while critics call it excessive punishment that violates free speech norms. Faculty are split; some argue the discipline is extreme compared to prior campus activism for different causes. With finals approaching, the standoff intensifies—students face academic jeopardy if they remain locked out, prompting legal aid from civil liberties groups. Observers see the situation as a flashpoint in ongoing debates over how universities balance student activism with administrative prerogatives.