[Baltimore Sun] UMD president owes answers on canceled Oct. 7 rally | GUEST COMMENTARY
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University of Maryland president Darryll Pines made the right decision by canceling the planned Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) rally on the College Park campus that was scheduled for Oct. 7, the anniversary of Hamas’ attack on Israel that killed around 1,200 Israelis. Pines’ decision was truly appreciated by many.
However, I’m left with a multitude of questions for Pines in response to the initial decision to approve the permit for SJP’s rally.
First of all, why would you approve a rally of this nature on this date to begin with? Did you inadvertently neglect to note Oct. 7’s significance? Did you fail to understand that an SJP rally on Oct. 7 is comparable to allowing jihadis to rally in New York City on September 11?
What was the delay in reversing your decision? For me, those 48 hours after learning the university had approved the rally were excruciating. Did you only make the decision because you bowed under pressure? It’s a shame that it took thousands of communications from many groups and individuals, including former Governor Larry Hogan, to alert you to the dire circumstances. Will a situation like this arise again?
I’m curious if you sympathize with your Jewish students as you wrote in your letter announcing the event’s cancellation that “I fully understand this day opens emotional wounds and evokes deeply rooted pain.” Your understanding and empathy is severely needed during these critical times where Jewish students are being targeted.
You write about conducting a safety assessment and prioritizing safety, so “out of an abundance of caution, we concluded to only host university-sponsored events that promote reflection on this day.” We wholeheartedly appreciate your attention to safety, as it is of utmost importance. But was safety only an excuse to reverse the decision? You should not need an excuse to take the morally correct path, which makes me wonder if you have rebuked the SJP for scheduling and promoting this event. Shouldn’t the University of Maryland be teaching students reverence? What about sensitivity and human decency?
If safety is such a major concern, are there policies in place to ensure peace will reign and harassment and violence will not ensue on campus? You reference state and federal laws and university policies, but I do not see where hate speech and antisemitism are mentioned.
Why haven’t you admitted that someone made a mistake? Can someone take accountability for this? And where is the apology? Scheduling a protest on this particular date was an insult and an affront. Do the Jewish students not warrant an apology?
Your letter would have been more helpful if you outlined guidelines or gave a reminder for how to conduct a peaceful protest. It is important that the students are aware of what behaviors are acceptable and which will not be tolerated. The SJP last month displayed a sign that read, “From the river to the sea Palestine is almost free.” After all the controversy last school year, is it still permissible to display such an antisemitic slogan that calls for the end of Jewish peoplehood?
According to The Algemeiner, “The University of Maryland, College Park’s SJP chapter is one of the most radical in the country … In its public statements, it has rejected a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and called for the destruction of the Jewish state.” Would you allow another group to call for the destruction of the United States by chanting, “Take down more twin towers?” Is that considered free speech? How will the university continue to deal with SJP’s requests for vigils, rallies and protests? Will there be clear guidelines that protest groups must abide by to prevent unlawful harassment?
Are there precautions to prohibit outsiders on campus? Demonstrators at campus protests across the country frequently have no affiliation with the school. These protesters have no business being there and pose a safety threat as well.
Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, according to The Jerusalem Post, SJP’s Instagram account says the group still plans to hold its all-day event at McKeldin Mall despite your letter. What will be done if this happens? This behavior must not be ignored.
As I’m sure you are aware, there are many Jewish groups that can offer guidance for navigating these difficult times. I am a member of Hadassah, the Women’s Zionist Organization of America, a group that has worked diligently to support the safety and well-being of Jewish students on campuses. You may find our statement on standing up to antisemitism on college campuses helpful.
A true leader leads with conscience. My community, the Jewish community, expects you to do just that.
Diane Gensler (dianebgensler@gmail.com) lives in Baltimore and is the author of “Forgive Us Our Trespasses: A Memoir of a Jewish Teacher in a Catholic School.”
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