Story perspectives

Georgetown Law Picks ACLU Director After 282-Signature Petition

5/8/2026

Summary

Story summary

Georgetown Law appointed ACLU legal director David Cole as the May 17 commencement speaker after Morton Schapiro withdrew.
Students submitted a petition with 282 signatures labeling Schapiro’s views a Zionist and citing his 2022 Jewish Journal column.
Interim Dean Joshua Teitelbaum announced the change by email, noting concerns and that Schapiro did not want to distract the ceremony.
The incident follows recent commencement disputes at Rutgers and the University of Michigan over Israel-Gaza-related speakers.

History

Historical Context

During the 1980s UC Berkeley students organized anti-apartheid protests, notably a sit-in that produced 158 arrests in 1985 and a shantytown action in April 1986 that led the university system to divest roughly $3 billion from South Africa. The actions, rooted in the 1964-65 Free Speech Movement, echo today’s speaker disputes such as the Georgetown Law commencement controversy.

1 of 2

Story summary

Georgetown Law appointed ACLU legal director David Cole as the May 17 commencement speaker after Morton Schapiro withdrew.
Students submitted a petition with 282 signatures labeling Schapiro’s views a Zionist and citing his 2022 Jewish Journal column.
Interim Dean Joshua Teitelbaum announced the change by email, noting concerns and that Schapiro did not want to distract the ceremony.
The incident follows recent commencement disputes at Rutgers and the University of Michigan over Israel-Gaza-related speakers.

1 / 2