Strong opinions voiced by Chow's supporters and faculty of the CUNY administration's negative treatment of low-income students culminated in a free speech conflict involving the New York City Council in 2004.
[1] According to Newsday reporter Merle English, in an article dated June 3, 2004, "Expecting to address more than 2,000 graduating students….Winston Chow started writing his speech on the value of student activism.
But two days ago, the Student Government President, was told he wouldn't be allowed to speak at the commencement exercises at Madison Square Garden.
Chow was also Managing Editor (2003-2004) for left-leaning college newspaper The Voice of the Voiceless, and a contributing writer for the Hip-Not Magazine.
From 1999-2002 Chow managed operations for CBGB & OMFUG, an historically celebrated punk rock venue at 315 Bowery in Downtown Manhattan, before its closure in 2006.