Thu Sep 19 08:11:40 UTC 2024: ## University of Maryland SJP Sues Over Canceled Vigil, Citing First Amendment Violations
The University of Maryland’s chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) filed a federal lawsuit against the university on Tuesday, alleging that their First Amendment rights were violated when their planned October 7 vigil was canceled.
The lawsuit, filed by Palestine Legal and the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), claims that the university’s decision to restrict events on the anniversary of the Hamas attack on Israel in 2023, which sparked the war in Gaza, constitutes viewpoint discrimination.
The SJP had initially received approval to hold their “interfaith vigil,” which was planned to include educational events and a display of kites, on McKeldin Mall. However, following “pressure from groups inside and outside of the University,” university president Darryll Pines and Vice President for Student Affairs Patricia Perillo revoked the group’s reservation.
In a letter to the campus community, Pines announced that the university would only host university-sponsored events on October 7, citing an “abundance of caution” regarding student safety. The university also clarified that they are “encouraging activities that support a Day of Dialogue.”
SJP, along with Jewish Voice for Peace, denounced the university’s decision, while the Jewish Student Union expressed support for the university’s stance on safety.
The lawsuit seeks an injunction allowing SJP to hold their event on October 7, a declaration that Pines’ “Expressive Conduct Ban” is unconstitutional, and damages for the violation of their First Amendment rights.
“We just want to have our rights restored and be able to organize as any other student organization would and reserve space as any other organization would,” said Abel Amene, a member of the SJP executive board.
The university has declined to comment on the lawsuit, stating they do not comment on pending litigation.
First Piper 