Identity of Speakers
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Ben Shapiro
Faculty/Staff
Invited for non-academic lectureBen Shapiro is a conservative political commentator, a radio-talk show host and the editor-in-chief for the Daily Wire.
Additional Information
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Incident Nature:
Recognized student group event
Other
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Incident Political Orientation:
Right-of-spectrum -
Incident Responses:
Other
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Incident Status:
No litigation
- Incident Protested
- Did not involve Speech Codes
Summary
Ben Shapiro, a conservative author and political commentator, was invited by College Republicans to speak at the university in early October 2020. The University Student Association’s finance committee approved the request by the College Republicans for funding. President-elect and the vice-president-elect of the Student Association, along with 200 students, proposed a resolution that condemned Ben Shapiro’s proposed visit and “requests that the University take whatever measures are necessary to prevent [the] event from taking place.” The resolution passed. The resolution also referenced Syracuse University’s code of conduct that bans hate speech. The resolution referenced Ben Shapiro as a white supremacist. College Republicans have refused to rescind the invitation and have rejected the resolution. Although funding for the event is secured, a firm date has not been set, and Ben Shapiro has not yet committed to the event.
