Skip to Main Content
New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

Politics

An illustration of a megaphone with a red handle. Written in orange on the megaphone are the words “Staff Rants.”

Staff Rants: Midterms and midterms

It’s the middle of the term! The WSN staff offers our thoughts on our exam-packed weeks and the ongoing congressional election season.

On unoriginality: It’s really unoriginal of NYU to hold midterm exams during the midterm elections. As an academic institution that discourages plagiarism, it shouldn’t steal...

Text “USE YOUR VOICE” and seven stars in purple color on top of text “NYU SHOULD VOTE” with “NYU” and “VOTE” in blue color and “SHOULD” in red color.

Opinion: NYU urges you to vote, and so do I

As an international student, I applaud the NYU Votes campaign, but it’s up to you to go vote.
Valentina Plevisani, Staff Writer October 7, 2022

The midterm elections are approaching, and if you’re an American citizen, this Nov. 8 it’s time for you to vote. Now is your time to elect who will make decisions on your behalf...

A crowd of protesters standing under Washington Square Arch holding the Iranian flag and signs with a person holding a wood stick with a strand of black hair hanging by the end of it.

Opinion: NYU should speak up about the violence in Iran

As an institution that prides itself in global diversity, NYU should be actively supporting Iranian women and students.
Molly Koch, Contributing Writer October 3, 2022

NYU prides itself on its diversity. The class of 2026 represents 107 countries — five more than the previous year. When a major crisis happens in one of those countries, then,...

People hold signs at an abortion rights protest at Barclays Center. Signs read "Codify Roe v. Wade," "Fuck this," and "It's not just abortion: Right to privacy equals gay marriage, gay sex, contraception and interracial marriage."

Opinion: Community abortion funds need your help right now, not Planned Parenthood

Small abortion funds and community-based reproductive organizations are in urgent need of financial support as reproductive rights are under attack. To help those most in need, donate to local funds instead of Planned Parenthood.
Srishti Bungle, Opinion Editor May 6, 2022

An initial draft majority opinion overturning Roe v. Wade (1973) and Planned Parenthood v. Casey (1992) written by Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito was leaked to Politico on...

Two people hang up a protest banner on the exterior façade of a building covered with scaffolding.

Opinion: NYU students should do more to help New York City’s unhoused population

Mayor Eric Adams’ recent campaign to ramp up sweeps of unhoused encampments makes it more important than ever for NYU students to take the initiative and support their neighbors in need.
Steph Wittstruck, Contributing Writer May 4, 2022

Amid Mayor Eric Adams' ongoing aggressive campaign against unhoused New Yorkers, the principles of mutual aid are more relevant than ever. NYU students hold a unique position in...

The marble facade of the building of the U.S. Supreme Court. The building has eight columns and marble stairs.

Opinion: Affirmative action is the best tool for increasing diversity

The Supreme Court will likely strike down affirmative action in October. But no alternative is as effective for increasing racial diversity at universities.
Matthew Franco, Contributing Writer April 28, 2022

Affirmative action is on trial. Its court date is set for October 2022, and the decision will be released sometime in 2023. Given the Supreme Court’s current composition —...

A person in Washington Square Park wears a yellow shirt that reads “Ukraine” and holds a sign above their head reading “Putin get your,” then two red handprints, “off Ukraine.” In the background, people hold Ukrainian flags at the park.

Guest Essay: The despair of anti-war Russians

It is important to not conflate the actions of the Russian government with Russian people. Here at NYU, many Russian students oppose the war in Ukraine.
Alexandra Azarova, Guest Contributor April 22, 2022

Alexandra Azarova is a Russian CAS sophomore. I am writing on behalf of the community of Russians at NYU against the war in Ukraine. Pro-peace Russian students at NYU want to...

A close-up image of a blue-and-yellow Ukrainian flag. In the blue part, the word “Ukraine” is written in Ukrainian in yellow text. In the yellow part, the country’s name is written in English in blue text. On the right, a person’s arm extends into the frame. They are wearing a red-and-black flannel.

Guest Essay: The war in Ukraine and the danger of World War III

Oppose Putin’s regime without supporting U.S. imperialism and oppose U.S. imperialism without supporting Putin, IYSSE President Karsten Stoeber writes.
Karsten Stoeber, Guest Contributor April 21, 2022

Karsten Stoeber is the president of the International Youth and Students for Social Equality chapter at NYU. Millions around the world are shocked by the war in Ukraine. The...

Three NYPD officers in their dark blue uniforms congregating in the middle of the road appear to be discussing something. The officers are flanked by legal personnel dressed in suits on each side.

Editorial: Don’t throw more money at the failing NYPD

The NYPD’s response to the Brooklyn subway shooting showed once again that they don’t keep us safe. It’s time to pursue other options.
WSN Editorial Board April 18, 2022

Tuesday’s tragic shooting in a Brooklyn subway car stoked anxiety and fear in many New Yorkers who rely on the subway system to travel across the city. After a gunman detonated...

A crowd of people stand and walk around a park surrounded by city buildings and an arch monument under a clear blue sky.

Editorial: The NY Post is lying to you about homelessness around NYU

The right-wing media wants you to hate unhoused people. Don’t let them egg you on.
WSN Editorial Board April 11, 2022

Infamous right-wing media outlets baselessly demonized unhoused people following a March 28 egging incident on NYU’s campus. The culprit was never identified, but these rags...

A group of protesters march through Chinatown. In the middle of the frame, one protester holds a cardboard sign with the words “Stop Asian Hate Crime” painted in thick black letters.

Opinion: Student gov’t statement supporting minority students falls flat, again

The Student Government Assembly's statement in support of NYU's Asian American and Pacific Islander population is a performative extension of support that lacks real action.
Jack Li, Contributing Writer April 4, 2022

On March 12, NYU’s Student Government released a statement in support of the university’s Asian American and Pacific Islander community and offered recommendations for addressing...

An illustration with a coral background of a calendar opened to a page of the month of March. Under the month's name, it reads “Women’s History Month” in blue letters.

Opinion: NYU’s Women’s History Month isn’t enough

The university’s underwhelming commemoration of Women’s History Month underscores the necessity for more substantive yearlong efforts highlighting women’s achievements and struggles.
Valentina Plevisani, Contributing Writer March 29, 2022

I come from Latin America, where International Women's Day has become a big deal in recent years. It is a day for women of all backgrounds to rally against the patriarchy and protest...