Protests and Demonstrations Student Reference Guide
Free expression is a foundational value of our university that lies at the heart of its missions of discovery, research, and service. Johns Hopkins seeks to ensure the broadest possible protection for speech—even speech that might be offensive or hurtful to the listener—while maintaining a safe and secure campus for our students, faculty, and staff.
This means that in expressing yourself through protest and demonstration you may:
- express your views, including on contested and provocative topics
- assemble peacefully
- organize a counterprotest
- hold vigils
- carry signs and banners
- hand out leaflets or petitions
- post flyers or posters in designated areas
These opportunities go hand in hand with the responsibility not to interfere with the free expression of others, nor disrupt the operations of the university or create health, safety, or welfare concerns. This means that among other rules you may not:
- engage in intimidation, threats, discrimination, harassment, or incitement to violence
- isolate, exclude, or target individuals based on their actual or perceived association with a particular religious, racial, or ethnic group
- assemble tents or temporary structures or sleep outside overnight without prior approval
- enter buildings that are closed or locked, or vandalize, occupy, or control access to buildings or other university spaces
- restrict the movement of people or vehicles, obstruct the entrances and exits to buildings, or obstruct the visibility of those buildings
- disrupt or interfere with the expression of others, including through the defacement or covering of flyers or posters
- affix banners to objects without prior approval or post signs in non-designated areas, such as on buildings or other structures
- ignore or refuse to comply with the directions of university officials, including their requests that you identify yourself or your guests
Failure to abide by these policies may result in disciplinary and/or legal action, including potential suspension and citation for trespassing.
For more information on the rules or policies that govern acts of expression on campus, please see: studentaffairs.jhu.edu/policies-guidelines/free-expression-guidelines.