Gov. Wes Moore (D-MD) expressed his opposition to the decision of a federal court to allow a pro-Palestinian event at the University of Maryland on Oct. 7.
The UMD branch of Students for Justice in Palestine was granted the right to demonstrate on First Amendment grounds after the university shut down the event. In a statement, Moore said that he disagreed with the decision, though he wouldn’t take action against it.
“I just learned of the federal court’s decision allowing the protest to proceed,” he said. “While I deeply respect the rule of law and due process, I think Oct. 7 is an inappropriate date for such an event. What I do know is that students at the University of Maryland have the right to feel safe, and we will work with local and University leaders to ensure their safety.”
Moore then expressed his support for peaceful protest but not for the ability to call for violence.
“Terrorists target civilians, and that’s what Hamas did a year ago on Oct 7,” he said. “And that’s what that day should be remembered as — a heinous terrorist attack on Israel that took innocent lives.”
My full statement on the federal court’s decision allowing the protest at University of Maryland planned for October 7 to proceed: pic.twitter.com/3fgW4BssXS
— Governor Wes Moore (@GovWesMoore) October 1, 2024
The event was described by the SJP as a peaceful interfaith vigil meant to mourn the lives lost in Gaza.
U.S. District Judge Peter J. Messitte granted the students’ request, saying the group “has demonstrated a substantial likelihood that it will prevail on the merits of its freedom of speech claim.”
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Messitte noted that UMD will have the right to reinforce campus security for the event and can ask vigil participants to identify themselves, employ “crowd-control” tactics, and kick out those who don’t follow directives.
Nearly 1,200 Israelis were killed when Hamas terrorists launched an attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.