A peaceful rally in Boulder, Colorado, held in solidarity with hostages in Gaza, turned into a scene of horror on Sunday when a man, Mohamed Sabry Soliman, hurled Molotov cocktails, injuring eight people. The attack, which struck at the heart of one of Colorado's largest Jewish communities, is being investigated as a potential terror attack. The incident follows other antisemitic acts in the US and highlights rising antisemitism.
How ‘a man with a blow torch’ turned a rally in Colorado into a scene of horror
BoulderColorado attackIsrael-Gaza warUnited StatesUS crimeWorldColorado
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TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️A peaceful rally in Boulder, Colorado, held in solidarity with hostages in Gaza, turned into a scene of horror on Sunday when a man, Mohamed Sabry Soliman, hurled Molotov cocktails, injuring eight people. The attack, which struck at the heart of one of Colorado's largest Jewish communities, is being investigated as a potential terror attack. The incident follows other antisemitic acts in the US and highlights rising antisemitism.
Trending- 1 October 7, 2023: Hamas terror attack on Israel and taking of hostages.
- 2 Rallies for Gaza hostages became popular worldwide.
- 3 Weeks before: Arson attack on the home of Josh Shapiro.
- 4 10 days before: Two Israeli embassy staffers shot dead in Washington DC.
- 5 Sunday: Mohamed Sabry Soliman attacked a rally at Boulder's Pearl Street Mall.
- 6 Sunday: Start of Shavuot, a two-day Jewish festival.
- 7 Sunday night: Boulder police chief Stephen Redfearn held a press conference.
- 8 Monday: Fred Greene, rabbi of Boulder’s Har HaShem congregation, commented to CNN.
- Eight people injured, with one in critical condition.
- The rally turned into a scene of horror.
- Medical crews found victims with burns.
- Public members raced to help with water.
- Shavuot events were postponed or canceled.
- Increased fear and questioning within the Boulder community.
- The attack is condemned as antisemitism and a potential terror attack.
What: A man attacked a peaceful rally with Molotov cocktails, injuring eight people, including an 88-year-old Holocaust survivor and a mother and daughter.
When: Sunday (the attack); Monday (Rabbi Greene's CNN comment); 10 days after two Israeli embassy staffers were shot; weeks after an arson attack on Josh Shapiro's home; on the same day as the start of Shavuot.
Where: Boulder, Colorado, specifically Pearl Street Mall. Also mentioned: Washington DC, Pennsylvania.
Why: The attacker, Mohamed Sabry Soliman, shouted 'Free Palestine' and 'Fuck you Zionists, you’re killing my people so I kill you,' indicating an anti-Israel and antisemitic motivation, linked to the Israel-Gaza war. The attack is also seen as part of a broader rise in antisemitism.
How: Mohamed Sabry Soliman used Molotov cocktails and was described as having a 'blow torch' to set people on fire at the rally. Members of the public used water to help the injured.