The University of Maryland has reversed its decision to permit an anti-Israel protest on the first anniversary of the October 7 massacre, following significant backlash from local Jewish organizations.
The protest, organized by UMD Students for Justice in Palestine and UMD Jewish Voice for Peace, was initially scheduled to take place at the campus's McKeldin Mall as a vigil for Gazans killed in the Israel-Hamas conflict. However, the University System of Maryland (USM) announced on Sunday that it would restrict campus events requiring permits or approval on that day to those supporting a "university-sponsored Day of Dialogue."
In a statement, USM explained, "From the beginning of the war, we have come together as a University System to urge that we use this moment to encourage conversation, compassion, and civility; to engage with one another across our differences and draw on our shared humanity and our shared values to bridge what divides us. These dialogues aren’t new."
The USM emphasized that its decision was not intended to infringe upon students' free expression and speech but to be sensitive to the emotional impact of October 7, a day marked by profound suffering and grief for many in the campus community.
* The Jerusalem Post contributed to this article.
