SALISBURY, Md. - A controversial speaking event at Salisbury University that was previously postponed amid safety concerns is now back on the calendar.
The event, organized by the Maryland Federation of College Republicans, drew backlash last month due to the rhetoric of featured speaker Jared Taylor, prompting concerns over campus safety and leading the university to delay it.
Taylor describes himself as a “white advocate” but has been labelled by some civil rights groups as a white supremacist. He is the founder of the website and former magazine American Renaissance which describes itself as a source of “news and commentary on interracial crime, race differences, white advocacy, Third World immigration, anti-white racism, and white identity.”
Now, university officials confirm the event has been rescheduled for April 29.
In a social media post on Wednesday announcing the update, organizer Colin McEvers framed the rescheduling as a victory for free speech, writing that organizers “did not succumb to the leftist pressure to cancel” and calling the development “a huge win” against what he described as campus censorship. He also said the university is requiring thousands of dollars in security costs, adding that the event will be open to the public with registration required.
Salisbury University, however, continues to distance itself from both the speaker and the event. In a statement to WBOC, the university said the speaker’s rhetoric stands “in direct opposition to the University’s core values of respect, equity, and inclusion” and emphasized that it does not endorse or support the event.
At the same time, SU says it is legally obligated to allow it to take place. As a state institution, Salisbury University says it must comply with Maryland law, which prohibits discrimination against individuals or groups seeking to lease space at public institutions, as long as all financial, insurance, and safety requirements are met. Officials say that includes upholding constitutional protections for free speech even when those views conflict with campus values.
The university also addressed questions about security costs, saying it is routine for non-university-sponsored events to be charged based on assessed safety needs. Officials added that each event is evaluated individually and reiterated that campus safety remains the top priority.