Just last weekend, a violent attack on an anti-violence rally in Boulder, Colorado, injured eight people. Local authorities have now charged 45-year-old Mohamed Sabry Soliman with aggravated felony criminal contempt. The protest that triggered the incident was organized to demand the release of Israeli hostages. This event has now drawn national attention due to the alleged motivations behind the attack.
As he terrorized the street, witnesses said all Soliman yelled was “Free Palestine.” He used a homemade flamethrower and incendiary bombs to attack the crowd. The chaos unfolded in a pedestrianized zone where individuals had assembled peacefully, seeking to express their views without fear of violence. In a shocking turn of events, Soliman reportedly ignited himself while throwing a Molotov cocktail, sustaining injuries that required hospitalization.
Law enforcement responded immediately, arresting Soliman on-site. Eyewitnesses reported that he fell to the ground without a fight when police showed up. Instead, following his arrest, they proceeded to book him into Boulder County Jail. He is currently in custody on a $10 million bond. A hearing is scheduled for 1:30 PM local time on Monday.
The FBI has since classified Soliman’s actions as a hate crime. This classification means that they are currently treating it as an act of terrorism in their investigation. Mark Michalek, a spokesperson for the FBI, emphasized the seriousness of the situation, stating, “It is clear that this is a targeted act of violence and the FBI is investigating this as an act of terrorism.”
Soliman’s background has raised questions. He had already sought asylum in the United States, having been refused a visa to the UK in 2005. Though these challenges continued to dog him, he received a work authorization in March 2023, but it expired at the end of that month. His behavior at the rally has deservedly drawn outrage from active duty, retired service members, mayoral candidates, current and former elected officials, and community leaders.
Leo Terrell, a civil rights attorney, commented on the implications of the attack, saying, “She endured the worst evil in human history. She came to America seeking safety.” He further stated that this incident reflects a broader issue of rising antisemitism, noting, “This is all caused by the same type of hatred: antisemitism.”
In the wake of the attack, national leaders across the political spectrum have condemned the violence. Former President Donald Trump stated that acts like these “will not be tolerated in the United States of America” and assured that perpetrators “will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu echoed similar sentiments, calling for justice against “the cold-blooded perpetrator to the fullest extent of the law.”
As the search for answers persists, communities are now stuck processing the violence from this tragic incident. The latest rally began as an attempt at peaceful protest. Fast forward to today where it’s a huge issue of public safety and lack of tolerance in the public commons.