COLLEGE PARK, Md. — The University of Maryland is preparing for two student-organized vigils to be hosted Monday, marking one year since a deadly Hamas attack on Israel launched a war.
Planning was underway Wednesday just a day after a judge ruled that UMD group "Students for Justice In Palestine (SJP)" could go ahead with their planned vigil, saying a cancellation would be a violation of the group's first amendment rights. UMD officials confirmed Tuesday they would honor the court's ruling.
Members of SJP say the vigil is organized by both Palestinian and Jewish students, who simply want to remember all the civilians killed on Oct. 7, 2023.
“We picked the day because we knew it had an emotional aspect," a member said. "I acknowledge it’s a significant day for Jewish people ... but it’s also true that Palestinians were killed on that day."
WUSA9 also spoke to Ron Halber, the CEO of The Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington, who said SJP should be condemned for their choice of date.
“How would Americans feel if someone held a birthday party for Bin Laden on 9/11?" he asked. "It’s disgraceful. Like rubbing salt on a wound except, this is rubbing salt on 1,200 wounds."
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore weighed in on the ruling, calling the date of the protest was inappropriate.
"Terrorists target civilians, and that's what Hamas did a year ago on Oct 7," Moore wrote in his statement. "And that's what that day should be remembered as—a heinous terrorist attack on Israel that took innocent lives."
Senate candidate Larry Hogan added that he was "very disapointed" to hear about the ruling.
“I just thought that this was a terrible idea to allow the celebration of the Hamas terrorism on October 7th, on the memorial of the one year anniversary of October 7th," the former Maryland governor said. "I'm going to continue to speak out. I'm hoping that the University of Maryland will find a way to make sure that we keep this as peaceful and civil as possible. But I think it's outrageous and unfortunate."
UMD's Jewish Student Union has their own vigil scheduled for Oct. 7 as well.