For over 135 years the 92nd Street Y has provided a “neutral ground” for a free and open exchange of ideas in the heart of New York City. When Conan made a quip about the state of New Jersey, offering anyone a free bus ticket out, Mayor Booker responded in kind by “banning” Conan from Newark Airport.
We are not in the business of banning people, even if they are a New Jersey mayor or relocated late night talk show host. The City of New York does occasionally enact bans. Smoking and trans fats, bake sales in schools, the pinball prohibition from 1942 to 1976…
