MD College Republicans Split Over Jared Taylor Event at Salisbury U

A rift within Maryland’s College Republican ranks has emerged ahead of a rescheduled appearance by far-right speaker Jared Taylor at Salisbury University, with the University of Maryland chapter publicly breaking from event organizer Colin McEvers even as the talk remains scheduled for later this month.

The University of Maryland College Republicans said this week they are distancing themselves from McEvers, who continues to serve as chair of the Maryland Federation of College Republicans.

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The event featuring Taylor — a white nationalist who has also described himself as a “white advocate” — had originally been scheduled for March 9, but Salisbury University postponed it, citing safety concerns and the need for more planning amid expected protests and heightened security needs. The university later allowed the event to be rescheduled for April 29, saying public institutions are bound by constitutional free speech requirements so long as outside groups meet financial, insurance and safety rules.

McEvers, in a statement to The Baltimore Sun, cast the criticism from the College Park chapter as an internal dispute tied in part to money.

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He went on to argue that the Taylor event still has support from other young conservatives in Maryland.

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The latest split comes as another free-speech group is pressuring Salisbury University over the cost of hosting the event.

The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, or FIRE, sent a letter dated April 9 arguing that Salisbury is unconstitutionally burdening speech by imposing an estimated $2,540 security charge tied to the Taylor appearance. In the letter, FIRE said colleges can charge standard room, audiovisual and facilities costs, but argued that security expenses driven by anticipated backlash amount to a form of censorship.

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