Denver Archbishop Samuel Aquila has called for prayers for the victims of an antisemitic attack in Boulder, Colorado, saying “This type of violence must come to an end, as it only fuels hatred.” Source: Vatican News.
Archbishop Aquila said he was “deeply saddened” by news of the May 31 attack on a demonstration calling for Hamas to release Israeli hostages, “especially as it seems our Jewish brothers and sisters were targeted”.
The attack took place at a “Run for Their Lives” rally aimed at remembering hostages still being held by Hamas in Gaza.
A 45-year-old Egyptian man yelling “Free Palestine” threw makeshift firebombs into a crowd of people who had gathered in downtown Boulder,
Twelve people were injured in the attack, including six who had to be hospitalised; four of those were subsequently released.
The suspect had planned the attack for more than a year, specifically targeting what he described as a “Zionist group”.
“When interviewed about the attack, he said he wanted them all to die, he had no regrets, and he would go back and do it again,” Acting United States Attorney J. Bishop Grewell for the District of Colorado said during a news conference Monday.
Authorities filed charges against the suspect, including attempted murder, assault, and a federal hate crime. More charges are expected.
In his statement on Monday, Archbishop Aquila said, “This type of violence must come to an end, as it only fuels hatred.”
He invited prayers “for everyone affected by this horrific attack,” saying, “We ask the Lord to bring comfort, healing, and peace in the face of such hatred. May we listen to the voice of God who calls us to love one another!”
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Denver Archbishop calls for end to violence that ‘only fuels hatred’ (By Christopher Wells, Vatican News)
