# UCLA 9/11 anniversary symposium controversy

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/ucla-911-anniversary-symposium-controversy
> Updated: 2026-09-19T03:00:47.000Z. Sources: 5. Developments: 2.

UCLA scheduled a symposium titled ‘25 Years After 9/11: Reimagining Freedom, Justice, and Security’ to mark the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks. The event drew scrutiny due to its roster of speakers, which included individuals who had previously made controversial statements regarding Israel, counterterrorism efforts, and the murder of a UnitedHealthcare CEO.

Following the event, UCLA Chancellor Julio Frenk issued a statement condemning the symposium. This rebuke triggered backlash from law faculty and hundreds of professors nationwide. Critics, including computer scientist Judea Pearl, denounced the speaker lineup, while UCLA Law faculty argued in open letters that the Chancellor’s response violated academic freedom and constituted an ‘assault on the law school’ by exposing participants to potential harassment.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-19: UCLA Chancellor faces backlash over 9/11 symposium rebuke

UCLA faculty and national law professors are denouncing Chancellor Julio Frenk for violating academic freedom after he condemned a 9/11 anniversary symposium featuring controversial speakers.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ucla-chancellor-faces-backlash-over-911-symposium-rebuke

### 2026-09-08: UCLA to host 9/11 anniversary symposium with controversial speakers

UCLA will host a 9/11 anniversary symposium featuring speakers who have criticized counterterrorism, called for attacks on Israel, or described the murder of a healthcare CEO as a protest.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ucla-to-host-911-anniversary-symposium-with-controversial-speakers

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Cite as: UCLA 9/11 anniversary symposium controversy. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/ucla-911-anniversary-symposium-controversy