Anti-Israel Student Group Sues University For Not Allowing Pro-Palestinian Vigil On Anniversary Of Hamas Attack

The University of Maryland’s chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine sued the institution Tuesday, claiming the university revoked its initial decision to let the group hold a vigil on Oct. 7, according to a press release.

University President Darryll Pines announced in a September letter that the school was only going to allow university-sponsored events to take place on Oct. 7, but other events could be held before that date or after. Students for Justice in Palestine argued in the complaint that the decision was a violation of their First Amendment rights.

The group initially received approval to hold an “awareness event” after they booked a space on the campus’ McKeldin Mall for Oct. 7, which is the day Hamas attacked Israel, killing over 1,200 people and kidnapping hundreds. Pines and the university’s vice president, Patricia Perillo, stated during a meeting that they received pressure from groups both inside and outside the university to cancel the vigil, but were still committed to protect students’ free speech rights, the complaint states.

“Given the overwhelming outreach, from multiple perspectives, I requested a routine and targeted safety assessment for this day to understand the risks and safety measures associated with planned events,” Pines said in the September email announcement stating only university-sponsored events would be allowed on Oct. 7. “UMPD has assured me that there is no immediate or active threat to prompt this assessment, but the assessment is a prudent and preventive measure that will assist us to keep our safety at the forefront.”