Black student leaders organize "speak-out" over noose

COLLEGE PARK, MD – (AP) Black student leaders at the University of Maryland (College Park) are calling for a "speak-out" today about a noose that was discovered hanging from a tree on campus.

The noose was found near a cultural center that houses the black faculty association and a black newspaper, and police are investigating the incident as a possible hate crime.

At a meeting yesterday between student leaders and administration officials, campus police said they believe the small noose had been hanging for about two weeks before it was reported to them.

Shawna Murray, a vice president of the black student union, says the speak-out is being held on September 11th -- quote -- "because this is terrorism." The speak-out is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. in front of the McKeldin Library on campus.