Posted on 05/02/24
| News Source: FOX45
Baltimore, MD - May 2, 2024 - Johns Hopkins University and students protesting the conflict in Gaza are at odds over an agreement the school’s administration claims was made earlier this week.
A so-called “solidary encampment”, made up of dozens of tents and pro-Palestine signage, has taken over a campus common area known as “The Beach” for the last four days.
On Tuesday, University President Ron Daniels released a statement saying demonstrators agreed to dismantle their tents and signage every night, only allowing protests to take place from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. “This will ensure our students’ safety and reduce disruptions,” said Daniels.
However, on Thursday, the group organizing the protest called the ‘Hopkins Justice Collective’ openly said they plan on breaking that policy.
“The university has claimed that we reached an agreement with them on Monday night. We did not,” said Sarah, a Hopkins Justice Collective representative who asked we not share her last name. “We will not limit our protests between the hours of 10 and eight.”
Sarah went on to say the group stayed overnight on Wednesday and plans to do the same on Thursday.
As protests escalate on college campuses across the country, Maryland House republicans released a statement calling for the university to ensure free speech doesn’t devolve into hate speech or violence.
“Tell students if they cross the bounds into illegal behavior there will be consequences and then, of course, you have to apply the consequences,” said Baltimore County Delegate (R) Kathy Szeliga.
Concerns echoed by some students.
“You have people masked up and obviously doing something they're not supposed to be doing. When you have people who are supporting people who are obviously breaking the rules, it's going to lead to more people allowed on campus who are breaking the rules and that’s not safe,” said a freshman student.
Student peacekeepers and campus security are the only ones monitoring the encampment currently. However, Hopkins has previously said policy violators will face academic discipline and late-night trespassers will have to answer to local law enforcement.
According to the following statement from Mayor Brandon Scott, the Baltimore City Police Department is on standby:
We continue to be in contact with university officials. The City of Baltimore strongly stands with every person’s first amendments rights, and we are monitoring the situation to ensure everyone’s safety. In the event of escalation, credible threat of violence, or similar change in the situation, we will adjust accordingly.
This as demonstrators double down on plans to stay put past the university’s curfew, and ultimately, until demands the university disinvest from Israel are met.
“The university has not disclosed to us any specifics about what their health and safety concerns are,” said Sarah. “We’re staying here for as long as it takes.”
FOX45 asked the University if they were aware protestors were staying overnight and what is their plan of action if it happens again. As of the time this article was published, we have not heard back.