Professor Gregory McNeal Navigates Disruption at UCLA Federalist Society Chapter Event

Professor Gregory S. McNeal moderated an event hosted by the University of California, Los Angeles Law School's Federalist Society with Department of Homeland Security general counsel James Percival on April 21. The event, titled “Inside DHS: A Conversation with General Counsel,” was disrupted by student attendees, which received national attention.

Excerpt from the Wall Street Journal, "The Cancel Zombies Return to UCLA"

Event moderator Greg McNeal posted on his X account that the protests were planned and coordinated using messaging apps. The students, he wrote, "started disrupting before the introductions were complete, they weren't there to hear, listen or question, they were there to disrupt in a coordinated manner." 

The complete article may be found at Wall Street Journal (subscription required)

University of Chicago Professor Steven Durlauf posted on X that McNeal “Moderated with much grace.” 

Reflecting on the incident, Professor McNeal told the Surf Report that the disruptions prevented him from asking his toughest questions. "Our society is best served when lawyers act professionally and engage on ideas rather than personal attacks or disruption," he said. "Professionalism in law school isn't just an expectation. It's a standard we must actively uphold in how we work together and represent our institutions."

Other media outlets covered the incident, including The College Fix, Fox News, and NY Post. 

According to the Wall Street Journal editorial, UCLA Law Dean Michael Waterstone stated, “legal education and the practice of law require a willingness to question assumptions and engage opposing arguments seriously.” Difficult conversations should have “civility and respect, and careful listening.” He said multiple individuals at the event were “issued warnings and were either escorted out or left of their own accord.”