Press release from Senator Justin Ready, Delegate April Rose and Delegate Chris Tomlinson (Maryland – District 5) on May 1, 2024:
In the months since Hamas launched their brutal and unprovoked attack on the nation of Israel on October 7th, we have seen an explosion of unruly, student protests that have turned into trespassing encampments at colleges and universities featuring antisemitic rhetoric and activity. This week, this irrational movement based not on reasonable opposition to Israel’s policies but on offensive and tired anti-Jewish tropes came to one of Maryland’s most valued and renowned institutions, John Hopkins University.
On Monday, pro-Hamas demonstrators began trying to recreate a Columbia-style encampment on campus in protest of the University’s financial ties to Israel. Student protestors with covered faces shouting highly offensive slogans such as “from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” which is a chant rooted in the antisemitic desire to cleanse the Israeli territory of all Jewish people.
In response to a list of demands for Johns Hopkins to divest from any investments in Israel (BDS), to stop research for the United States military, and cease a Masters program with Tel Aviv University, the school’s leadership posted on their website on Tuesday that they “are pleased to report that we reached an agreement early this morning to support the students’ continuing protest” from 10 AM – 8 PM but the so- called “Hopkins Justice Collective” has told media outlets that they are not in agreement and are staying to protect their encampments. (1) (2)
We call on Johns Hopkins University to not entertain this absurd “list of demands” and fully enforce their campus policies around overnight encampments and protests.
As elected officials, we support the 1st Amendment rights of all people to assemble and protest peacefully. However, if students don’t follow the rules and comply with lawful orders, there should be swift and certain consequences consistent with the University’s code of conduct.
It is not appropriate to take over private property and – while it’s within the rights of anyone to demand whatever changes they believe in – attacking and making demands on a private institution that has nothing to do with a war on the other side of the world that Hamas started – should be called out for what it is – ridiculous.
Unfortunately, this kind of radical, “America/Israel are always wrong” mentality has been fostered for several decades on college campuses. Universities should be a space for young adults to become free thinkers, but it has become very clear that academic leaders in the Higher Education Industrial Complex believe “free thinking” means far-Left, anti-American – and anti-Israel – ideology.
The United States designated Hamas a terror group 25 years ago. The idea of college students on American soil openly giving aid and comfort to a radical Islamic terror group hellbent on destroying our greatest ally in the Middle East should be shocking and sobering to all of us. We urge Johns Hopkins University and all other Maryland colleges to fully enforce their rules surrounding protests on private property and to reject their reckless demands for things like divestment from Israel out of hand.
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See original release in PFD form here: Press Release – JohnsHopkinsProtests
Here are a variety of social media post related to the recent protest on Johns Hopkins University from April 29th – the evening of May 1st (posted in timeline order to give you an idea of how things have evolved to this point):
The Hopkins encampment, which has been peaceful so far, has been told to disperse or face arrest or disciplinary action. About 200 students here. The ones I spoke to said they will risk arrest to make sure their demands are taken seriously. pic.twitter.com/757615IwDL
— Jaisal Noor (@jaisalnoor) April 29, 2024
Pro-Palestinian protesters continued to sing and chant Monday evening on the campus of Johns Hopkins University despite being told to leave. https://t.co/Mzc3De2Gex
— WJZ | CBS Baltimore (@wjz) April 29, 2024
Students protest at Palestine solidarity encampment at Johns Hopkins University today pic.twitter.com/RCvAtUMc7U
— Kam (@kamJnelson) April 30, 2024
Protesters on Johns Hopkins main campus have set up a camp on the sloping lawn of the main campus. BCPD have been circling in Foxtrot (photo 2). Follow @codyboteler of the @BaltimoreBanner and me for updates https://t.co/HoOWFYDPbk pic.twitter.com/xjRhP40tzx
— J. M. Giordano photo (@jmgpix) April 30, 2024
pro-Palestinian encampment at Johns Hopkins University dissolved early Tuesday morning after school officials said they reached an agreement with student demonstrators. https://t.co/4iViuG2Q69
— WJZ | CBS Baltimore (@wjz) April 30, 2024
I’m reporting live on @wbalradio this morning from the campus of @JohnsHopkins with @C4WBAL & @BryanNehman as upwards of a hundred students and others took part in a pro-Palestinian protest here on what is known as the beach at the entrance to the campus along N. Charles Street pic.twitter.com/K8Itsw9JO9
— Scott Wykoff (@ScottWykoffWBAL) April 30, 2024
In an emailed press release just now, student organizers refute Hopkins administration’s contention that there’s an agreement on the time/manner of the protest. They also paint a more sour view of the negotiations between protestors and admin. pic.twitter.com/eXcn8hoguu
— Cody Boteler (@codyboteler) April 30, 2024
Chanting “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,” people in the protest demanded that Johns Hopkins University divest from Israel and called for a cease-fire in Gaza.https://t.co/VMGRRiLd67 pic.twitter.com/AAN8zirhYK
— WBAL NewsRadio 1090 and FM 101.5 (@wbalradio) April 30, 2024
What we know about the pro-Palestinian protests at Johns Hopkins University https://t.co/9A2sEjRhZh
— WOLB 1010 AM (@wolbbaltimore) April 30, 2024
Baltimore Beat is working to confirm reports that Johns Hopkins University officials threatened to call the Baltimore City Police Department on students who remained at a protest encampment in support of the people of Palestine overnight. https://t.co/GcZFuO0f6O pic.twitter.com/Zx9vyCfaD8
— Baltimore Beat (@baltbeat) April 30, 2024
NEW: Statement from Johns Hopkins University @wjz pic.twitter.com/sBVXEdqhmp
— Cristina Mendez (@CrisMendezTV) April 30, 2024
The 8 PM deadline to vacate the campus lawn (the “beach”) has passed at the Johns Hopkins Free Palestine encampment. Night two commences peacefully. pic.twitter.com/WIXdiQoHNg
— J. M. Giordano photo (@jmgpix) May 1, 2024
This morning on @wjz we are showing you the campers that stayed overnight on @johnshopkins campus to show solidarity with Gaza. But the university says they are ready to take action if students violate their rules. pic.twitter.com/mdxgSvGGcV
— Alexus Davila (@AlexusVDavila) May 1, 2024
I’m reporting live on @wbalradio from the campus of @JohnsHopkins on @C4WBAL & @BryanNehman Show as pro-Palestinian protesters have pitched tents here & set up an encampment, in the 2nd day of demonstrations. #JHU policy prohibits “assembling tents, encampments” on campus#WBAL pic.twitter.com/0QkVCz3XCz
— Scott Wykoff (@ScottWykoffWBAL) May 1, 2024
A group that organized a pro-Palestinian protest and encampment at Johns Hopkins University says they aren't leaving until demands are met. https://t.co/ThISWLNnlj
— WJZ | CBS Baltimore (@wjz) May 1, 2024
Students who were part of a pro-Palestinian encampment at Johns Hopkins University were back on campus Tuesday.
— WBAL NewsRadio 1090 and FM 101.5 (@wbalradio) May 1, 2024
The Johns Hopkins University protest has expanded slightly. This was the scene a short time ago. Demonstrators declined to speak to us. @wjz pic.twitter.com/IeJbOxdwav
— Mike Hellgren (@HellgrenWJZ) May 1, 2024
We did speak to an Israeli Johns Hopkins student today outside the demonstration @wjz pic.twitter.com/5SeuPQA5bk
— Mike Hellgren (@HellgrenWJZ) May 1, 2024
Johns Hopkins encampment in Baltimore pic.twitter.com/z2MnMmPcZ8
— Maximillian Alvarez (@maximillian_alv) May 1, 2024
The students at the encampment at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore are have erected tents, are serving food, have planned teach-ins and continue to build support for their demands pic.twitter.com/AYofPz7jsw
— Jaisal Noor (@jaisalnoor) May 1, 2024
Night 3 of the “Palestine Solidarity Encampment” at Johns Hopkins University:
More tents are up, more people are here – including families with young children & pets
Demonstrators are being told not to speak with journalists
No arrests reported in connection to protest @wjz pic.twitter.com/65wvsmBCny
— Cristina Mendez (@CrisMendezTV) May 1, 2024
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