The Forever War and the First Amendment

To mark the 25th anniversary of 9/11, the Knight First Amendment Institute (KFAI) at Columbia University and Columbia's Simon and June Li Center for Global Journalism are hosting a two-day symposium on September 9 and 10, “The Forever War and the First Amendment,” examining how post-9/11 policies reshaped free speech and press freedom, and the ripple effects today including campus speech crackdowns and immigration enforcement in NYC and nationwide. 

Confirmed speakers include: 

• Jameel Jaffer, Civil Liberties Attorney and Inaugural Director of KFAI
• Alberto Mora, General Counsel to the Navy from 2001-2006
• Mohsan Mahdawi, Graduate Student at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs 

Wednesday, September 9, 2026

4:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m. ET 

Thursday, September 10, 2026

9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. ET

Reception to follow on September 9.

Lunch will be provided on September 10. 

Registration is required.

RSVP for in-person or virtual attendance.