Unity Rally At Towson University Takes Stand Against Hate

TOWSON, MD — Students and community members embraced diversity during a unity rally Wednesday at Towson University. The rally came less than a week after a group with a polarizing message took to the street near campus.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations, or CAIR, called upon the university to take a stand after a demonstration that condemned groups from Muslims to women on Thursday, April 18.

Towson University's Muslim Student Association co-sponsored Wednesday's unity rally at Freedom Square on campus, in partnership with CAIR.

"In response to a recent events on campus, we invite students of all backgrounds to unite as we encourage campus to unite against all forms of hate!" the association said of gathering, which took place from 2 to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, April 24.

At the gathering on Wednesday, April 24, students held signs that said: "No hate. No fear. Muslims are welcome here."

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The rally was a response to a demonstration orchestrated last Thursday by the Key of David Christian Center, a nondenominational church near Philadelphia that purposefully uses harsh language, according to The Baltimore Sun. Messages its supporters brought to Towson last week bore messages such as "Obey Jesus or hellfire!"

While the demonstrators were not from campus, Muslim Student Association President Romesa Mustafa said at the rally: "...we have our internal issues, and we cannot deny them," according to The Sun.

I’m at Towson university where the Muslim Student Association is hosting a unity rally alongside CAIR after anti-Muslim protesters came to campus last week. pic.twitter.com/765wuzH8Im
— Libby Solomon (@libsolomon) April 24, 2019

The unity rally on the campus of Towson University just started. #wbal pic.twitter.com/mVUiqdWERU
— Theo Hayes WBAL (@TheoHayesWBAL) April 24, 2019

CAIR's Outreach Director for Maryland Zainab Chaudry said that the organization was calling upon Towson University to take the following steps, particularly since there have been multiple bias-related incidents at Towson University:

• Make a public statement condemning the April 18 "hate rally"
• Increase security for students who feel vulnerable or targeted
• Strengthen policies to protect minority groups
• Offer mental health services to students affected by the incident
• Organize events celebrating diversity and inclusivity

Towson University is celebrating Pride Week, which has been organized by the Department of Diversity and Inclusion:

A Unity Rally at Towson University happening now in response to the hate group last week. Students partnered with CAIR to deliver a simple message today - “hate has no place on our campus” @wjz pic.twitter.com/fe9YYJhtJ0
— Kelsey Kushner (@KelseyKushnerTV) April 24, 2019