The University of Maryland is preparing for another round of campus protests, as the second anniversary of Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel approaches.
Last year, the university’s Students for Justice in Palestine chapter, in partnership with Jewish Voice for Peace, held a one year anniversary vigil and sit-in.
Speakers at the event mourned the lives lost in Gaza and sharply denounced Israel. Mitzpeh spoke to participants at the event who praised Hamas for its assault on Israeli civilians. That same day on Hornbake Plaza, Jewish students gathered for their own vigil, holding signs of hostages and victims.
Last year’s SJP event drew a large crowd, estimated at over 300 students, faculty and community members, who were monitored by campus police and security.
This year’s event is expected to draw larger crowds as the BDS bill voting approaches and SJP strengthens its power within the student government.
Mitzpeh contacted the Stamp Student Union to inquire about which student organizations had booked spaces on campus for Oct. 7 of this year. A Stamp representative responded with an open answer.
“We have some groups that are working on bookings, but none that have finalized plans based on dates and times yet,” the representative said.
Students Supporting Israel confirmed their booking of the west half of McKeldin Mall for a block. SSI President Uriel Appel stated that the booking on the mall is intended to “create a comfortable place to mourn,” where Jewish and non-Jewish students alike can come together and remember the lives lost.
According to an anonymous source, SJP booked the east side of McKeldin Mall for their own undisclosed event.
SJP’s event also comes after a significant legal battle against the university. Last year, the group sued the UMD administration for initially rescinding approval to hold an event that day, blocking all other student events and not just SJP’s alone.
A federal judge sided with the group, citing First Amendment violations and UMD paid the group $100,000 on top of restoring their official recognition as a campus organization.
With emotions running high and political divisions sharpening, the UMD community can brace for the second anniversary of the Oct. 7 attacks to be one of the most charged days of the semester.
