The New School In Exile

Early on Thursday morning (9/24) a small group of students at the New School disrupted a talk being given by former Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge.


The event was a talk on Homeland Security and New York security, and was organized jointly by Milano and the Center for New York City Affairs, and moderated by New School President Bob Kerrey. Students reportedly disrupted the question and answer session after Ridge's talk, accusing him of abuses and torture under his watch at the Dept. of Homeland Security, as well as the largest number of death row executions in PA history--224--as governor there.

Reactions to the protests were mixed, with some in the university claiming the disruption was childish or offensive, while others claimed Tom Ridge being at the New School was itself an offense against the school. The Provost and Deans Council at the school released a statement later that day condemning the violations of free speech by protesters, and calling for the need to discuss free speech and protest at the New School.

copy of letter sent out by Provost and Deans Council

Sept. 24th

This morning at a New School appearance by the former Governor of Pennsylvania and Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge, a small group disrupted and, indeed, closed down Mr. Ridge’s ability to engage in a dialogue with our students. In view of these events the Provost and Deans Council feel it necessary to strongly object to this form of protest. Governor Ridge’s appearance, sponsored by Milano and The Center for New York City Affairs, was explicitly designed to promote free expression and debate, and the opportunity to air any viewpoints that any student desired was amply available – in fact, was encouraged by President Kerrey as the moderator of the event. As academic leaders, we condemn any activity that inhibits the free exchange of ideas. The New School is an institution founded in an act of dissent and the commitment to defending activism and free speech must be upheld by this entire community.

In the coming weeks, we will be convening a series of student and faculty discussions about the nature of effective activism and the role of civic discourse. We will be inviting the Advisory Committee on Speech Activities and Expression and the entire New School community to join us in this dialogue.

The Deans Council and Provost

• Posted by: alvinjohnson
• Topic: Protests

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