An update on plans for October 7, 2024

Dear campus community,

On September 1, I announced our intent to host only university-sponsored events on October 7, 2024. This decision was made upon the recommendation of the University of Maryland Police Department (UMPD) with safety as our primary concern.

We believe firmly in every person's right to freedom of speech and expression under the First Amendment, and we worked with registered student groups who had reservations on October 7 to reschedule them, in accordance with our policies. All groups were offered space reservations for expressive activities within 24 hours of their originally requested time period.

On September 17, the Council on American-Islamic Relations and Palestine Legal announced a lawsuit on behalf of the Students for Justice in Palestine's (SJP) UMD chapter against the University of Maryland for not allowing its event to proceed on October 7 as originally requested.

A ruling today that impacts the operations of our campus

Today, a judge in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland granted SJP's motion for a preliminary injunction, requiring the University to reinstate SJP's reservation for McKeldin Mall on October 7, 2024, subject to a Court-imposed bond on SJP.

The University of Maryland recognizes, and will abide by, the court's decision, and will work with all registered student organizers of events requested for October 7. Event organizers, campus officials and UMPD will implement a plan that allows all events to proceed in accordance with the judge's ruling.

The court's ruling states, in part:

"[W]hile speech and slogans by SJP will be permitted on October 7, any negative conduct not protected by the First Amendment will not be—including any incitement to imminent violence, physical or verbal threats, impeding access of any students to class or buildings, property damage of any sort, the occupation of buildings, encampments, and, in general, defiance of reasonable crowd control measures employed by security personnel. Violators may be subject to arrest and/or ouster from the campus. The University’s policy requirements with respect to campus events as they presently stand will apply in full."

The paramount importance of safety

Since October 7, 2023, dozens of expressive activities - reflecting multiple viewpoints - have occurred on campus and have proceeded without significant disruption to campus operations.

In late August, however, unprecedented communications of a concerning and threatening nature led UMPD Chief David Mitchell and me to express concerns for the safety of the campus on October 7, 2024. I requested a threat assessment which led to shifting to only university-sponsored events. Notwithstanding today's court ruling, those concerns remain a source of ongoing attention and focus for us.

In compliance with the court's decision, we will now move forward with the events, addressing the concerns and challenges associated with them with care and caution, including the implementation of a robust safety plan. This includes enhanced staffing and resources with a strong security presence.

As a reminder, if you see something, say something. UMPD can be reached 24/7 at 911 or 301.405.3333.

Honoring the one-year anniversary

Processing the events of the last year has taken an emotional toll on many members of our community, and we are here to help. Many have experienced loss, pain and suffering, and resources are available to you.

I ask that you not hesitate to seek support. Thank you for everything you do for your fellow Terps.

Sincerely,