(BALTIMORE, Md., 4/30/2024) — The Maryland office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) is joining over thirty Maryland mosques and Muslim community organizations in the IMAN Network in calling on officials at the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC) to drop charges against the campus’ Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP), alleging the group violated the university’s Code of Student Organization Conduct by holding a peaceful protest earlier this semester.
In March, the UMBC SJP board learned that administrators had charged the student group with allegedly violating its policies following a peaceful protest the group held at a campus Starbucks in February to raise awareness about the ongoing genocide in Gaza. SJP members report that they notified campus police and the Office of Student Affairs beforehand, and campus police were present during the action.
UMBC is a public university comprised of a diverse community that increasingly supports Palestinian human rights.
In a statement, CAIR’s Maryland Director Zainab Chaudry said:
“The university’s decision to charge UMBC SJP with allegedly violating the campus code of conduct is especially troubling because student organizers took extra measures to keep administrators informed about their activities, and even invited them to attend and observe. As universities increasingly crack down on students supporting human rights and exercising their first amendment free speech rights, community organizations like ours are re-doubling our efforts to make sure that students’ political viewpoints are protected at all costs. It is crucial to recognize that the right to peaceful protest and assembly is a fundamental tenet of democracy and an integral part of the educational experience. Punishing students for engaging in these activities stifles their freedom of expression and sends a dangerous message to the student body that their voices will be silenced if they dare to challenge the status quo. We join the IMAN Network in calling on the university to drop these charges and engage with SJP to discuss more constructive ways to address their concerns.”
The Islamic Maryland Action Network (IMAN) is a statewide crisis response working group that represents over 350,000 Muslims in the state. Members include over two dozen mosques and Muslim organizations.
SEE: IMAN Network
The IMAN Network’s mission is to foster a coordinated, compassionate, and effective response to crises, uniting diverse Muslim communities across the state.
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
END
CONTACT: CAIR Maryland Director Zainab Chaudry, zchaudry@cair.com, 410-971-6062