Interfaith Alliance of Colorado, National Interfaith Alliance Condemn Devastating Attack in Boulder, Urge Solidarity

Interfaith Alliance of Colorado and its national partner organization Interfaith Alliance are horrified and saddened by yesterday’s attack in Boulder Colorado, in which multiple peaceful marchers at an event advocating for the safe return of Israeli hostages were attacked with an improvised flamethrower and incendiaries, injuring at least eight people. 

The attack comes amidst a broader context of rising antisemitism and hate, and closely follows on the May 22 killing of two Israeli embassy staffers leaving a Jewish community event at Washington’s Capital Jewish Museum. These acts of antisemitic, hate-fueled violence are terrifying to the Jewish community and deeply threatening to all of us who value safe, multi-faith democracy where all communities can peacefully coexist and thrive. 

As a community of people of diverse faiths and beliefs, and a movement that includes many Jewish Americans, we will support our beloved partners in the Jewish community with care and concern.  We recommit to support and protect one another and reject the scourge of antisemitism, extremism and violence.

“Our hearts go out to all those impacted by this horrific attack, as well as to our Jewish brothers and sisters across Colorado,” said Shara Smith, CEO of Interfaith Alliance of Colorado. “This was not just an attack on those participating in the gathering, but also on our entire community. While tensions are high, now is not the time to abandon our neighbors and friends. We must make connections with each other and across faith traditions for our own sense of humanity.”

“Time and again, we have seen how dehumanizing rhetoric and hateful ideologies lead to acts of violence against vulnerable communities,” said Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush, president and CEO of Interfaith Alliance. “We cannot and will not allow horrific attacks like these to polarize, divide or isolate us, or to justify the persecution or targeting of any vulnerable community. We are proud of the acts of interfaith and cross-communal solidarity that we are already seeing from communities in Colorado and across the country – and will continue doing everything in our power to strengthen these relationships.”

MEDIA CONTACT:

Lincoln Le, West End Strategy Team, lle@westendstrategy.com