Identity of Speakers
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Students for Justice in Palestine at the University of Maryland
Faculty/Staff
OtherA student-led organization that advocates for Palestinian rights and raises awareness about the Israel–Palestine conflict through educational events, campus speak-outs, and solidarity actions.
Resources
Additional Information
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Incident Nature:
Rally or protest
Recognized student group event
Lawsuit
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Incident Political Orientation:
Not Clear -
Incident Responses:
Rally or Protests
University administration changed university policy as a consequence
Litigation
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Incident Status:
In litigation Federal District Court
- Did not involve Speech Codes
Summary
In September 2024, the University of Maryland chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP), joined by Jewish Voice for Peace and represented by the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and Palestine Legal, filed a federal lawsuit against the University System of Maryland and UM President Darryll Pines. The suit challenged the university’s last-minute cancellation of a planned October 7 interfaith vigil commemorating Palestinian lives lost in Gaza. Although the event had initially been approved, university officials revoked permission and imposed a sweeping ban on all student-led “expressive events” that day, citing safety concerns and intense public pressure, including a petition with nearly 28,000 signatures. The plaintiffs argued the move violated their First Amendment rights, amounting to viewpoint-based discrimination and unconstitutional prior restraint. They sought a preliminary injunction, a declaration of unconstitutionality, damages, and attorneys’ fees.
On October 1, 2024, a U.S. District Judge ruled in favor of the plaintiffs, issuing a preliminary injunction that blocked the university’s expressive event ban. The court found that the university’s justification—concerns over safety and possible disruptions—was insufficient to support a blanket restriction on speech, especially given the absence of an immediate threat and the availability of less restrictive alternatives. The Court ordered the university to reinstate SJP’s reservation for McKeldin Mall, subject to conditions such as a $2,500 bond and enhanced safety measures. The university agreed to comply and worked with organizers to implement a crowd-control and security plan.
