Greenbelt, MD – A federal court is set to evaluate the claims of a University of Maryland student group alleging First Amendment violations after their planned vigil to commemorate lives lost in Gaza was cancelled by the university. The hearing, scheduled for Monday, stems from a lawsuit filed by the University of Maryland Students for Justice in Palestine, which argues that the university unjustly prohibited their “interfaith vigil” initially approved for October 7.
The event was intended to mark one year since the commencement of hostilities in Gaza following an attack by Hamas on Israel, which the student group describes as part of an “ongoing genocide.” According to the lawsuit filed on September 17, the university revoked the permission citing reasons that the student group contends are unlawful, including significant opposition to the event and a preference for the day to be one for reflection and dialogue.
The legal filings by the group highlight that the university abruptly forbade all expressive events from occurring on the day, which they assert strips them of their rights to free speech. Patricia Perillo, the university’s vice president for student affairs, mentioned in a court affidavit that the decision to withdraw approval for the October 7 event was based on “safety and security reasons.” She noted that the group had successfully secured permission to use campus spaces over 70 times in the past year without issue.
The venue in question, McKeldin Mall, is a central 9-acre grassy area of the campus frequently reserved by students for various events. The reservation for the vigil was approved in July, well before the administration’s September 1 announcement. In a letter sent by university President Darryl Pines and the University System of Maryland, they stated that only university-sponsored events that promote reflection would take place on that day, described as a decision made “out of an abundance of caution.”
The impending hearing on Monday will be overseen by Senior Judge Peter J. Messitte at the U.S. District Court in Greenbelt. The case highlights ongoing tensions in academic settings related to freedom of speech and the balance universities must maintain in safeguarding both expression and safety.
This dispute brings into focus the broader debates over how universities handle contentious political issues and the extent to which concerns about safety can be used to limit campus expression. It also calls attention to the complexities of organizing public memorials and vigils that touch on sensitive international conflicts, which can deeply divide opinions among students and faculty alike.
The outcome of this case could potentially influence policies at colleges and universities nationwide, regarding the use of campus spaces for student-led events, especially those that may invite scrutiny or controversy. Legal experts and advocates for free speech are watching closely, as the decision could set an important precedent for how educational institutions balance security concerns with constitutional rights.