Towson University Rallies For Diversity, Against White Student Union

Several hundred members of the Towson University community marched in solidarity Tuesday afternoon to promote diversity and acceptance, and denounce the White Student Union.

The White Student Union, which is not sanctioned by the college, has drawn intermittent national media attention since Towson student Matt Heimbach began recruiting members for the group in September 2012. Heimbach previously helmed the campus authorized Youth for Western Civilization, which disbanded after members wrote "white pride" in chalk at locations around campus.

The group, which advocates for what Heimbach calls "white interests" and racial separateness, recently sparked an uproar with its plans to conduct on-campus crime patrols, claiming an increase in black-on-white crimes. Towson University responded by announcing its intent to beef up its own security.

"The event went really well," said Bilphena Yahwon, an organizer of the rally. "We had professors let students out early so they could attend, student organizations were coming out. We also had a lot of support from our administrators."

Yahwon, a sophomore, is a co-founder of Be the Change, which bills itself as a movement formed to promote diversity that was created in response to the White Student Union. Participants in the movement planned the rally, where students marched while sporting flags, posters and t-shirts emblazoned with TUStands4. 

Several Towson University students spoke at the event, proclaiming their love for the diverse community and decrying perceptions that the school is intolerant based on Heimbach's actions.

"I'd like to take this moment to stand for peace as much as my religion stands for peace," said Amina Bisle, the school's Muslim Student Association vice president. "Towson University is the school for me...I have never felt like I wasn't included."

Towson University President Maravene Loeschke spoke briefly before the event's end. Student speakers also defended Loeschke, who faced criticism regarding the White Student Union and recent decisions about the college's mens' athletic programs.

"I have never interacted with a president or administration like this before," Yahwon said. "This president loves us."

Loeschke, in turn, lauded the crowd for spreading a positive message and standing up for their beliefs.

"A whole lot is going to be better because you're here today," she said.

Sophomore Maya Gregory, a member of the Black Student Union, called the rally cathartic.

"This right here is symbolic of what we went through," Gregory said. "I was surpised and happy to see all races, nationalities, genders—different types of people out here."

Heimbach did not return a call for comment on this story.

He has previously argued the White Student Union is not racist.

"The very fact that people think it's racist shows that there is anti-white sentiment out there," Heimbach said in September 2012. "If we were truly in favor of diversity, no one would care."