No, Freie Universität Berlin did not cancel the event. Due to security concerns, Freie Universität Berlin decided to offer the event as an online format and not in person at the university as originally planned. The planners of the event were provided with the opportunity to use Freie Universität premises for livestreaming the event. This offer was not accepted by Francesca Albanese and Eyal Weizman. At no point did Freie Universität cancel the event itself. The sole restrictions imposed by the university concerned the format in which it was to be held.

Freie Universität released the following statement on the topic: The Executive Board has decided that the public lecture and discussion with UN special rapporteur Francesca Albanese and director of the research agency Forensic Architecture Eyal Weizman, originally planned to take place on February 19, 2025, on Freie Universität’s campus, can no longer take place in person as a result of the current polarization surrounding the event and concerns regarding security. The Executive Board offered the professors organizing the event the opportunity to carry out the event online.

Freie Universität Berlin is committed to upholding its responsibility as a place of academic freedom and open discourse. A commitment to academic freedom means providing a space where controversial topics can be discussed. At the same time, universities must ensure that events dealing with such issues can take place in a setting that facilitates objective exchange. “Where can controversial debates be carried out, different points of view heard, and information placed within an academic context if not at a university? Academic freedom is protected by German Basic Law and is something that we cannot value highly enough. Increased polarization and political and public interference at universities negatively impact science and academia,” said Professor Günter M. Ziegler.