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

(Kevin Wu for WSN)

Opinion: Reproductive rights are human rights

President Donald Trump’s latest actions may only serve to further jeopardize abortion access.
Anjali Mehta, Copy Chief March 5, 2025

Women’s History Month should be a time to celebrate the enormous progress made in securing women's rights and the legal, educational and social advancements since the movement's...

(Alex Woodworth for WSN)

Opinion: The role of opinion journalism

In a world where the quality of political debate has been compromised, ethical opinion journalism is more important than ever.
Mehr Kotval and Noah Zaldivar March 3, 2025

“There was a time when a newspaper, especially one that was a local monopoly, might have seen it as a service to bring to the reader’s doorstep every morning a broad-based...

(Jake Capriotti for WSN)

Guest Essay: The call for a reparations committee

NYU needs to refuse compliance with President Donald Trump’s white supremacist agenda by taking active steps like reparations and acknowledging its racist past.
JJ Briscoe and Sebastian Leon Martinez February 28, 2025

Guest essays reflect opinions from writers beyond WSN. If you’d like to submit a guest essay for consideration, please email [email protected]. We are at a crossroads on...

(Allina Xiao for WSN)

Opinion: A new generation of leaders is long overdue

As our political system ages, young voices are necessary for our nation’s progress.
Serin Lee, Contributing Writer February 27, 2025

Despite being affected the most by today’s political decisions, younger people have long been sidelined in the political arena, where older people continue to dominate. This...

(Danny Arensberg for WSN)

Opinion: LGBTQ+ mental health is under attack

As President Donald Trump targets LGTBQ+ freedoms, it is important for local governments to do more to protect their LGBTQ+ citizens and their mental health.
Sam Kats, Contributing Writer February 27, 2025

Content warning: This article includes mentions of suicide. Shortly after President Donald Trump won the 2024 election, LGBTQ+ crisis lines were flooded with an unprecedented...

(Kiara Mujica for WSN)

Off Topic: The alt-right is lying about free speech

Despite its supposed commitment to freedom of speech, the Trump Administration’s actions reveal its commitment to stifling political opposition and controlling narratives.
Noah Zaldivar, Opinion Editor February 26, 2025

One of the biggest talking points of the alt-right has been the so-called destruction of free speech, which they often blame on the rise of politically correct speech, or wokeness,...

(Kiara Mujica for WSN)

Guest Essay: At NYU, we cannot afford to be passive in the face of fascism.

President Donald Trump’s blitzkrieg of executive orders threatens international students, trans rights, diversity initiatives and our core values.
NYU College Democrats February 20, 2025

Guest essays reflect opinions from writers beyond WSN. If you’d like to submit a guest essay for consideration, please email [email protected]. We have always known who...

(Allina Xiao for WSN)

Off Topic: The case for dating across the political divide

In an increasingly polarized world, political differences are a dealbreaker for most people, making it harder to find common ground, let alone fall in love.
Zofia Fernandini, Contributing Writer February 14, 2025

With Valentine's Day it's hard not to think about the one thing that can turn a date into a debate: politics. While most of us can leave political discourse at the dinner...

(Kevin Wu for WSN)

Opinion: Subway safety is a manufactured crisis

New York City is spending millions on subway policing and surveillance, but these measures do more to ease public anxiety than actually reduce crime.
Steven Wang, Staff Writer February 12, 2025

Anyone who turns on the news might think that the New York City subway system is more dangerous than ever. Every few weeks, a violent subway crime becomes the subject of alarmist...

(Krish Dev for WSN)

Guest Essay: NYU is right to suspend students for rule violations

Faculty & Staff Against Antisemitism is a group of faculty, staff and administrators aimed at combating antisemitism on campus.
Faculty & Staff Against Antisemitism February 12, 2025

The fundamental right to free expression must be balanced with every student's right to safely access their education. Since the Oct. 7 massacre of Israeli civilians and Israel’s...

(Kyra Reilley for WSN)

Editorial: NYU, step up

Over the last few weeks, NYU has denied gender-affirming care to children, refused to protect international students and faculty amid an unprecedented immigration crackdown, and demonstrated a profound disregard for the needs of its community.
WSN Editorial Board February 10, 2025

The barely three-week-old Trump administration is already taking its toll on higher education, and its discernible effects on NYU have quickly created a campus environment defined...

What to do if stopped by ICE

What to do if stopped by ICE

With U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids imminent, it is important to know your rights if you’re ever confronted.
Mehr Kotval, Opinion Editor February 10, 2025

Immigration and deportation were defining issues in President Donald Trump’s presidential campaign — now they are shaping his first three weeks in office. There has been...