Maryland
University System of Maryland to only allow university-sponsored events on October 7
University of Maryland President William Pines announced this weekend that only university-sponsored activities “that promote reflection” will be held on October 7th.
The day will mark one year since Hamas terrorist attacks in Israel killed around 1,200 people and took around 250 hostages. Israel retaliated, declaring war on Hamas, which has resulted in more than 40,000 people dead, according to Gaza health officials.
This came after the Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) group had reserved the McKeldin Mall and Jewish organizations on campus had reserved Hornbake Plaza on October 7th to mark the day.
The announcement cancels both of these events.
“Jointly, out of an abundance of caution,” wrote Pines in an email to the campus community, “we concluded to host only university-sponsored events that promote reflection on this day. All other expressive events will be held prior to October 7, and then resume on October 8 in accordance with time, place and manner considerations of the First Amendment.”
This policy is in place for all University System of Maryland Schools.
“The intent is not to abridge students’ right to free expression; the intent is, instead, to be sensitive to the needs of our students. Our university communities may use this day to safely come together to reflect and to share, to learn and to listen, and, yes, to challenge one another. That’s the premise—and the promise—of higher education.”
-University System of Maryland Statement
SJP wrote in a statement on its Instagram account: “We as Students for Justice in Palestine are deeply angered, though not surprised, by the University of Maryland administration’s decision to cancel our reservation for a vigil at McKeldin Mall on October 7th.”
It continues, “Rest assured that we will find ways to mark this one year of genocide and one year of resistance.”
University of Maryland students worried about antisemitism on campus
The Jewish Student Union also posted a statement to its Instagram account.
“We are reassured to learn that Students for Justice in Palestine at the University of Maryland will no longer be permitted to host their event on McKeldin Mall, or anywhere on campus, on October 7th,” the organization writes.
“Only university-sponsored events will occur on October 7th,” they continued. “While this is not an ideal situation, it ensures that our physical and psychological safety is protected on this day of grief.”
In the email from Pines, he noted that a safety assessment had been done and that there was “no immediate or active threat.”
The Jewish Student Union added that they would be holding an event to memorialize the day at Maryland Hillel, a center for Jewish life and students, which is located just off campus.
The UMD Chapter of Jewish Voice for Peace also released a statement standing with SJP “in their anger with the university admin’s decision to cancel our registration to hold a joint vigil on October 7th.”
The email from Pines added that “we encourage our entire community to mark the anniversary of October 7 with remembrance and reflection.”
At the moment, it’s unclear what university-sponsored events will take place on October 7th, at the College Park campus.
Maryland
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Maryland
Maryland man sentenced for assaulting police during Jan. 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol insurrection
BALTIMORE — A Fredrick County man was sentenced Tuesday for assaulting police officers during the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol insurrection.
According to prosecutors, Adam Ryan Obest, 43, of Thurmont attended the “Stop the Steal” rally before going to the Captiol’s Lower West Terrace.
Video footage showed Obest holding a large American flag attached to a metal flagpole, and swinging it at police officers after being told not to advance up a stairway.
Minutes later, Obest engaged in another confrontation with police, raising the lagpole above his head and bringing it down abruptly toward a line of police officers before another officer tried to confiscate the flagpole.
He also attempted to take a baton from a Metropolitan Police Department officer and later threw a smoke grenade at law enforcement, according to court documents.
In June 2023 detectives identified Obest as a suspect, matching photos from his social media account to photos captured of him at the Million MAGA March in November 2020. The photos showed an American glag tattoo on his left shoulder, which resembled a similar tattoo shown in his booking photos from an unrelated arrest in 2018.
The FBI arrested Obest in Maryland on June 13, 2023. He was found guilty of two felony charges, including civil disorder, and one count of assaulting, resisting, or impeding a law enforcement officer.
Obest was sentenced to 18 months in prison and 36 months of supervised released.
Maryland
Maryland Weather: Early morning fog then spring-like feel today
BALTIMORE — Patchy areas of dense fog will burn off this morning. Expect a spring-like feel this afternoon with highs in the 60s.
Early morning patchy fog is dense in some neighborhoods this morning. This fog will gradually lift through by 10 AM. Partial sunshine will be around for the rest of the afternoon with a spring-like feeling. Highs will top out in the lower 60s.
The next storm system will arrive by Wednesday afternoon and evening, bringing an increase in showers across the area as early as the evening rush hour. Rain will persist through Wednesday night. Like Monday night’s rain, this midweek system is expected to exit the region by Thursday morning.
Partly to mostly cloudy skies are forecast for Thursday and Friday. High temperatures will remain in the 40s, with Friday being the colder of the two days.
We have issued WJZ First Alert Weather Days for Saturday and Sunday for the extreme cold. Wind-chill will be in the teens & 20s most of the weekend, so this can be dangerous cold if you don’t take breaks inside or dress properly. Please take care of yourself and your pets.
An Arctic cold front will push into the region this weekend, ushering in the coldest air of the season so far. Highs on Saturday will struggle to reach the mid-30s, and overnight lows will plummet into the teens and lower 20s. Wind chills will drop into the single digits to near zero, with areas north and west of Baltimore potentially seeing wind chills below zero.
Sunday will be the coldest day of the weekend, with highs only reaching the upper 20s to near 30 degrees. Sunday night temperatures will fall into the mid-teens across many locations. Wind chills by Monday morning could dip to dangerously low levels once again.
Temperatures will begin to rebound through Christmas Day. Highs on Monday are expected to reach the mid-30s. Christmas Eve will see highs near 40 degrees, with low 40s expected on Christmas Day.
The days leading up to Christmas will remain dry, with no threat of wintry or wet weather during the holiday period.
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