UMD Oct 7 protest receives heightened security following court ruling


Law enforcement agencies were on the streets Monday, prepared for possible political unrest as demonstrations and counter-protests unfold at the University of Maryland, College Park.

Maryland State Police are patrolling the University of Maryland Police Department Monday at the request of the university for additional officers. Over the summer, a student group called Students for Justice in Palestine applied for and received a permit to organize an interfaith vigil on Oct 7.

But that permit was later canceled following outrage from Jewish groups and political leaders.

Students for Justice in Palestine at the University of Maryland have filed a lawsuit and, last week won a federal court case that will allow the event to continue. The court ruled that administrators violated the student's First Amendment rights in canceling the vigil.

"The University of Maryland recognizes and will comply with the court’s ruling and will work with all registered event organizers who have requested an event on Oct. 7," UMD officials said Tuesday. "Even organizers, campus officials and UMPD will have a plan that enables all events to move forward in accordance with the court's ruling."

It was a vigil in support of the civilians of Gaza who lost their lives to the war that followed a Hamas terror attack on October 7, during which 1,200 Israelis were killed, and about 250 hostages were taken," says Students for Justice in Palestine.

Extra security is wise, say Jewish leaders.

"We've been in touch with all the police chiefs in all the jurisdictions, and today they have all increased patrols around Jewish institutions and, in some jurisdictions, gone to synagogues themselves," said Ron Halber, Jewish Community Relations Council of Washington.

FOX 5 has learned that UMD's Hillel chapter is hosting a vigil off-campus Monday evening as well.