University of Maryland’s (UMD) Students for Justice in Palestine were able to hold a rally, planned for Oct. 7, that had been previously canceled by the institution’s officials.
“Our presence on campus is vital in reminding our university and the entire campus community that we will not let the 186,000+ martyrs of Gaza be reduced to mere statistics,” UMD Students for Justice in Palestine wrote in an Instagram post promoting events throughout the day. “We honor each of them as beautiful souls who lived through unimaginable hardships.”
The event was intentionally planned on the one-year anniversary of the terrorist group Hamas’ attack on Israel, which killed more than 1,200 Israelis and foreign nationals (including 46 U.S. citizens) on October 7, 2023. That attack ignited the start of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which has since killed more than 41,000 Palestinians in Gaza, according to the Congressional Research Service report “Israel and Hamas Conflict In Brief: Overview, U.S. Policy, and Options for Congress,” published Oct. 4.
Further, a Lancet study showed that the death toll could be higher– about 186,000, as the UMD Students for Justice in Palestine also quoted in the group’s social media post. According to the study, the official toll does not account for the thousands of people buried under rubble and the many indirect deaths caused by the destruction and dismantling of health facilities, food distribution programs and other forms of public infrastructure, according to Al Jazzera.
The rally, first approved by campus officials in July, was canceled following fears of violence. In addition to the group’s event, University of Maryland College Park President Darryll Pines canceled all activities planned for Oct. 7 in a letter released in early September.
“Out of an abundance of caution, we concluded to host only university-sponsored events that promote reflection on this day. All other expressive events will be held prior to [Oct.] 7 and then resume on [Oct.] 8 in accordance with time, place and manner considerations of the First Amendment,” Pines wrote in a statement to the campus community.
However, U.S. District Judge Peter Messitte’s decision supported the student’s efforts and overturned the university president’s decision.
“Even if pro-Israel groups see October 7 as somehow sacrosanct, it is at least fair argument for pro-Palestine groups to see the date as sacrosanct as well, symbolic of what they believe is Palestine’s longstanding fight for the liberation of Gaza,” Messitte wrote in his decision.
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said he respected the “rule of law and due process,” but voiced concern about students using Oct. 7 as a day of action.
“I’ve been clear: everyone in Maryland has the right to peacefully protest, to voice their opinions. But no one has the right to call for violence against each other,” Moore said in a statement released Oct. 1. “Terrorists target civilians, and that’s what Hamas did a year ago on Oct. 7. And that’s what that day should be remembered as — a heinous terrorist attack on Israel that took innocent lives.”
The governor prioritized the students’ safety after learning the event would continue as planned.
“What I do know is that students at the University of Maryland have the right to feel safe, and we will work with local and University leaders to ensure their safety,” Moore declared.
Palestine attacked FIRST!!! Israel is DEFENDING themselves, GO Israel!!!