President Trump is waging war on free speech and academic freedom. And too often, colleges and universities have waved the white flag. Over and over, places of higher education have given in to the Trump administration’s outrageous demands and allowed the federal government to have an unprecedented say in what gets taught and what people can say on college campuses. New York City’s Columbia University is at the center of Trump’s attempts to destroy America’s colleges.

Few have had a better seat to watch this assault on our cherished freedoms than Professor Katherine Franke. Franke is a former tenured law professor at Columbia who was put under investigation by the university in 2024 in the midst of the school’s crackdown on pro-Palestine speech. Then in January, she entered into an agreement with Columbia to leave the school after 25 years as a distinguished professor.

Few people have spoken out with more passion, clarity, and insight about the ongoing siege on academic freedom. On this episode, we speak with Professor Franke about her experience at Columbia, the climate of censorship, fear, and repression at Columbia and schools across the country, and efforts to fight back against Trump’s attacks.

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Guest: Katherine Franke https://www.instagram.com/profkfranke/

Resources:

Follow Professor Katherine Franke: https://www.instagram.com/profkfranke/

Inside Columbia’s Crackdown on Pro-Palestine Free Speech: https://www.nyclu.org/podcast/inside-columbias-crackdown-on-pro-palestinian-free-speech

Mahmoud Khalil in His Own Words: https://www.nyclu.org/podcast/mahmoud-khalil-in-his-own-words

What are the Stakes of Mahmoud Khalil’s Case: https://www.nyclu.org/podcast/what-are-the-stakes-of-mahmoud-khalils-case

NYCLU Letter: Columbia Should Not Capitulate to Trump: https://www.nyclu.org/commentary/letter-columbia-should-not-capitulate-to-trump

For more on everything we discuss in this episode, visit www.nyclu.org/

For transcripts and additional information on the episodes, visit www.nyclu.org/podcasts

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A legion of far-right activists is determined to purge school libraries of books they don't like. A huge percentage of the books they want to get rid of are about race or racism, feature people of color, or include LGBTQ characters. This is a nationwide movement, and New York is not immune. Several New York school districts are facing calls to ban books.

On this episode, we talk to New York Times bestselling author Kalynn Bayron. One of Kalynn’s books, “Cinderella is Dead”, has been targeted by several book ban campaigns. She talks with us about why she wrote the story and why she thinks it’s important for students of all backgrounds to have a diverse set of books to choose from.

Then we chat with an NYCLU expert about book bans in New York and legislation that’s on Gov. Hochul’s desk that would help combat them.

Guests:

Kalynn Bayron, New York Times and Indie bestselling author

Emma Hulse, Education Counsel, NYCLU

Resources:

Check out Kalynn’s books: https://bookshop.org/shop/bloomsburyusa

Tell Gov. Hochul to sign Freedom to Read: https://action.aclu.org/send-message/fight-freedom-read

More from Emma: https://www.nyclu.org/commentary/ny-schools-are-banning-books-heres-what-you-can-do-about-it

More on Freedom to Read: https://www.nyclu.org/uploads/2024/05/Freedom-to-Read-Act-Legislative-Support-Memo-2526_04.14.25.pdf

For more on everything we discuss in this episode, visit www.nyclu.org/

For transcripts and additional information on the episodes, visit www.nyclu.org/podcasts

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In its recent decision in the case, United States v. Skrmetti, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that a Tennessee law banning gender-affirming medical care does not violate the Constitution and can remain in effect. The decision is a devastating loss for trans rights and risks emboldening other states to advance similar bans.

The decision comes as the Trump administration and its allies in hostile state governments have made clear they aim to exclude transgender people from public life and eliminate access to abortion across the country.

On this episode, we talk with Chase Strangio, the ACLU lawyer who argued against the Tennessee law in the Skrmetti case. He’ll explain the flawed logic behind the conservative majority’s decision, what it means and what its nationwide implications are.

Then we chat with two NYCLU experts who will explain what the decision means for New Yorkers and what Gov. Hochul can do to shore up access to gender-affirming and abortion care in our state.

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Guests:

Chase Strangio, Co-Director of the ACLU’s LGBT & HIV Project

Allie Bohm, NYCLU senior policy counsel

Jenna Lauter, NYCLU policy counsel

Resources:

Tell Gov. Hochul to sign the bills we discuss on this episode:

https://action.aclu.org/send-message/protect-gender-affirming-care

ACLU response to Skrmetti decision:

https://www.aclu.org/press-releases/aclu-lambda-legal-respond-to-supreme-court-ruling-in-u-s-v-skrmetti

NYCLU response:

https://www.nyclu.org/press-release/nyclu-on-supreme-court-ruling-upholding-tennessees-ban-on-gender-affirming-care

For more on everything we discuss in this episode, visit www.nyclu.org/

For transcripts and additional information on the episodes, visit www.nyclu.org/podcasts

Follow NYCLU on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Bluesky.

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On this episode, we hear from Mahmoud Khalil. Mahmoud is a lawful permanent resident who was kidnapped by the Trump administration and held in detention because of his advocacy for Palestinian Rights.

After more than 100 days in detention, Mahmoud is finally where he belongs: at home with his family in New York City. In this episode – which is a collaboration between Rights This Way and the ACLU’s podcast, At Liberty – At Liberty host W. Kamau Bell speaks with Mahmoud about his newly reacquired freedom, fatherhood, his wife Noor and what he wants everyone to remember from his experience taking on the Trump administration.

The NYCLU and ACLU are part of the legal team representing Mahmoud against Trump's unprecedented assault on his free speech.

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The NYCLU and ACLU are part of Mahmoud’s legal team that includes the ACLU of New Jersey, the ACLU of Louisiana, Dratel & Lewis, the Center for Constitutional Rights, CLEAR, Van Der Hout LLP, and Washington Square Legal Services.

Resources:

https://www.nyclu.org/podcast/what-are-the-stakes-of-mahmoud-khalils-case

https://www.nyclu.org/commentary/after-more-than-100-days-mahmoud-khalil-is-finally-home

https://www.aclu.org/podcast/one-on-one-with-mahmoud-khalil

For more on everything we discuss in this episode, visit www.nyclu.org/

For transcripts and additional information on the episodes, visit www.nyclu.org/podcasts

Follow NYCLU on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Bluesky.

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We might not realize it, but we are swimming in a sea of what this episode’s guest calls Copaganda. The way media outlets decide what stories to cover, which experts to quote, and even what supposedly objective words to use in news stories, profoundly impact how we view the world we live in.

In his book, Copaganda: How Police and the Media Manipulate Our News, our guest Alec Karakatsanis breaks down what Copaganda is, why media outlets and powerful figures deploy it, and how it shapes our understanding of crime rates, what types of crimes matter, and what the solutions are for achieving public safety.

Please download, rate, review, and subscribe to Rights This Way. It will help more people find this podcast.

Resources:

Copaganda: https://thenewpress.org/books/copaganda/

Follow Alec’s organization Civil Rights Coprs: https://civilrightscorps.org/

Commentary: Hero-worship of Police is Failing Us https://www.nyclu.org/commentary/hero-worship-police-failing-us

Podcast: Why Can’t We Stop Backtracking on Bail Reform? https://www.nyclu.org/podcast/s2-ep-1-why-cant-we-stop-backtracking-on-bail-reform

For more on everything we discuss in this episode, visit www.nyclu.org/

For transcripts and additional information on the episodes, visit www.nyclu.org/podcasts

Follow NYCLU on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Bluesky.

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Some of us might think that the fight for trans people’s right to play sports is new. But a recent book, “The Other Olympians: Fascism, Queerness, and the Making of Modern Sports” delves into the history of this debate that has lasted the better part of a century at least.

Now the Trump administration is threatening states with funding cuts and other sanctions if they allow trans people to play sports on teams that align with their gender identity. It’s just one element of Trump’s full-scale war on trans people’s existence. But as we’ll hear, these types of campaigns have a deep-rooted history with ties to the Nazis.

In an interview that we recorded before Trump took office, we talk with the book’s author, Michael Waters about this history and what it tells us about our current efforts to secure trans people’s rights in athletics and beyond.

Please download, rate, review, and subscribe to Rights This Way. It will help more people find this podcast.

Resources:

The Other Olympians: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9780374609818/theotherolympians/

NYCLU Roller Rebels case: https://www.nyclu.org/resources/campaigns-actions/campaigns/stand-trans-athletes-nassau-county

Trump’s attack on trans athletes: https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/inside-trumps-full-force-approach-to-ban-trans-athletes-and-dei-in-schools/2025/04

For more on everything we discuss in this episode, visit www.nyclu.org/

For transcripts and additional information on the episodes, visit www.nyclu.org/podcasts

Follow NYCLU on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Bluesky.

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The Trump administration has made clear that if you dare to disagree with the president, you will be punished.

That was the message when ICE agents illegally arrested and detained Mahmoud Khalil, a lawful permanent resident and recent graduate student at Columbia University, in retaliation for his advocacy for Palestinian human rights. He was separated from his wife, an American citizen, who is nine months pregnant, and shipped from New York to New Jersey and then to Louisiana.

Mr. Khalil has never been accused, charged, or convicted of any crime. He was ripped from his home, detained and threatened with deportation in retaliation for his political beliefs. His case represents a clear attempt by Trump to silence dissent, chill speech, take over our universities, and attack our freedom.

And he is not alone. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has revoked hundreds of visas of students and visitors for similar reasons.

On this episode, we’ll talk about the details and the stakes of Mr. Khalil’s case – in which the NYCLU is co-counsel. Then in a separate segment, we’ll get into the paper-thin legal theory the Trump administration is wielding to justify detaining and trying to deport Mr. Khalil.

Mr. Khalil’s legal team includes the New York Civil Liberties Union, the ACLU, the ACLU of New Jersey, the City University of New York’s CLEAR clinic, the Center for Constitutional Rights, Alina Das of Washington Square Legal Services, Van Der Hout LLP and Amy Greer of Dratel + Lewis.

Image credit: Gaby Díaz-Vendrell / Columbia Daily Spectator

Guests:

Donna Lieberman: NYCLU Executive Director

Bobby Hodgson: NYCLU Assistant Legal Director

Alina Das: professor, immigrant rights attorney, and co-director of the Immigrant Rights Clinic at New York University School of Law. Co-counsel on Mr. Khalil’s civil rights case.

Resources:

More on Mr. Khalil’s case: https://www.nyclu.org/commentary/mahmoud-khalils-case-is-a-canary-in-a-coal-mine

https://www.nyclu.org/commentary/mahmoud-khalil-is-just-the-first-victim-of-trumps-unconstitutional-crackdown

More on the NY for All Act: https://www.nyclu.org/resources/campaigns-actions/campaigns/new-york-all-act

Tell Gov. Hochul to sign the New York Health Information Privacy Act: https://action.aclu.org/send-message/tell-gov-hochul-safeguard-abortion-access

For more on everything we discuss in this episode, visit www.nyclu.org/

For transcripts and additional information on the episodes, visit www.nyclu.org/podcasts

Follow NYCLU on Twitter and Instagram.

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It happens like clockwork. A person suffering from serious mental health problems is accused of a heinous and tragic crime committed against a stranger. Then the calls come from law enforcement, politicians, and right-wing tabloids to lock more people up. Rinse and repeat. This all happens despite the fact that people living with mental health challenges are 11 times more likely to be the victims of crime and violence than to commit an act of violence.

It is undeniably true that the status quo for how we address issues like homelessness and serious mental health challenges is untenable. But the response must not be to simply lock more people away. That doesn’t make us safer, and it doesn’t solve the root problems that lead to these devastating events.

Everyone deserves to have safe and stable housing, and we should all be able to get the health care we need when we need it. But for this to happen, we need meaningful, comprehensive, and paradigm-shifting new investments in affordable housing and our mental health care system.

If we don’t see these types of commitments from our state leaders soon, we are headed for incredibly dark days, especially with President Trump in office who promised to disappear homeless people into ill-defined “tent cities.”

On this episode, we talk about why our current approach to dealing with homelessness and serious mental health issues doesn’t work and what needs to be done to truly fix these problems with Harvey Rosenthal, Chief Executive Officer of the Alliance for Rights and Recovery and Beth Haroules, NYCLU Senior Staff Attorney.

Resources:

Follow The Alliance for Rights and Recovery: https://rightsandrecovery.org/

The Status Quo on Homelessness and Mental Health Care is Untenable: https://www.nyclu.org/commentary/the-status-quo-on-homelessness-and-mental-health-care-is-untenable

NYCLU Kings County case: https://www.nyclu.org/court-cases/mental-hygiene-legal-services-v-nyc-hhc-challenging-squalid-conditions-abuse-brooklyns-kings

The Dangers of Kendra’s Law: https://www.nyclu.org/resources/policy/one-pagers/dangers-kendras-law

Daniel’s Law: https://www.danielslawny.org/

Links to definitions of key terms mentioned in the podcast:

Intensive and Sustained Engagement Team (INSET) program: https://greatermentalhealth.org/inset/

Safe Option Support Teams: https://omh.ny.gov/omhweb/rfp/2023/sos/index.html

Clubhouses: https://clubhouse-intl.org/what-we-do/what-clubhouses-do/

Crisis Respite Centers: https://www.nyc.gov/site/doh/health/health-topics/crisis-emergency-services-respite-centers.page

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