Identity of Speakers
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Towson Colonized People’s Revolution
Student
OtherA self-described "underground student-run revolutionary organization at Towson University."
Resources
Additional Information
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Incident Nature:
Rally or protest
Other
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Incident Political Orientation:
Left wing -
Incident Responses:
Student sanctioned
Rally or Protests
University administration invoked formal speech code in response
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Incident Status:
No litigation
- Was Speech Code incident
Summary
In November 2023, Towson University students held a “die-in” protest to highlight the killing of children in Gaza amid the Israel-Hamas conflict. The protest, organized by Towson Colonized People’s Revolution, involved students lying on the grass surrounded by baby dolls wrapped in white shrouds, symbolizing the rising death toll in Gaza. The demonstration aimed to raise awareness about the humanitarian crisis.
Following the protest, five students faced disciplinary actions for violating university policies and the student code of conduct. The sanctions included deferred suspensions that would remain on their academic records for seven years, although one student’s punishment was later reduced to probation. The university’s decision prompted a debate over free speech rights on campus.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Maryland argued that Towson University violated the students’ First Amendment rights, stating that the protest constituted core political speech. In a letter to university officials, the ACLU demanded that the disciplinary records be cleared and called for a review of campus policies to protect free speech. Towson University responded by affirming its commitment to the First Amendment and encouraging campus dialogue within the boundaries of university policies, while keeping disciplinary actions in place.
