Boulder Horror: Visa Overstayer Launches Fiery Attack on Jewish Marchers

Paul Riverbank, 6/3/2025Visa overstayer attacks Jewish marchers with fire in Boulder, highlighting rise in religious violence.

The Boulder Attack: A Turning Point in American Religious Violence

Last Thursday's attack in Boulder wasn't just another headline – it marked a disturbing escalation in America's struggle with religious violence. I've covered countless protests over my career, but watching footage of elderly Holocaust survivors fleeing from Molotov cocktails on American soil sent chills down my spine.

The facts are stark. Mohamed Sabry Soliman, whose visa had expired, allegedly unleashed homemade incendiary devices on marchers supporting Israeli hostages. Eight people, including an 88-year-old, suffered burns. The attacker reportedly shouted "Free Palestine" while wielding what witnesses described as a makeshift flamethrower.

I spoke with several security experts last week about this incident. One veteran analyst put it bluntly: "This wasn't activism gone wrong – it was premeditated attempted mass murder." The attack fits an alarming pattern we've seen emerging: the shooting of Israeli Embassy staff in DC, the attempted arson at Pennsylvania's Governor's mansion, and now this.

But here's what troubles me most: We're seeing a fundamental shift in how political grievances manifest as violence. When I started covering politics thirty years ago, antisemitism certainly existed, but it rarely translated into such brazen public attacks. The ADL's recent data backs this up – they're tracking increases across the ideological spectrum, from far-right extremism to radical anti-Israel activism.

Some of my colleagues want to frame this purely through a partisan lens. That's too simplistic. Dr. David Mednicoff at UMass Amherst offers a more nuanced view: antisemitism is simply "discrimination, prejudice, hostility or violence against Jews as Jews." It transcends traditional political boundaries.

The Boulder incident has particularly complex implications for campus activism. Having covered higher education for years, I've watched elite institutions like Harvard struggle to balance free expression with protecting students from harassment. It's a delicate dance that's becoming increasingly difficult to choreograph.

What's clear is that symbolic gatherings – like Boulder's hostage solidarity march – have become targets. Law enforcement isn't taking chances; they're boosting security at Jewish institutions nationwide. But we can't police our way out of this problem.

Here's the hard truth: America faces a critical challenge in protecting both free speech and public safety. One security expert I trust made a compelling point: "The ideology behind October 7th and the Molotovs of June 1st share the same dangerous DNA."

As someone who's witnessed decades of political evolution, I'm deeply concerned. This isn't just about protecting one community – it's about preserving the fundamental values that make American democracy work. The Boulder attack should serve as a wake-up call. We either address this rising tide of religiously motivated violence now, or we risk watching it tear at the fabric of our society.

These aren't easy issues to resolve. But if my years of covering American politics have taught me anything, it's that facing uncomfortable truths head-on is always step one toward meaningful change.

The Boulder Attack: A Turning Point in American Religious ViolenceLast Thursday's attack in Boulder wasn't just another headline – it marked a disturbing escalation in America's struggle with religious violence. I've covered countless protests over my career, but watching footage of elderly Holocaust survivors fleeing from Molotov cocktails on American soil sent chills down my spine.The facts are stark. Mohamed Sabry Soliman, whose visa had expired, allegedly unleashed homemade incendiary devices on marchers supporting Israeli hostages. Eight people, including an 88-year-old, suffered burns. The attacker reportedly shouted "Free Palestine" while wielding what witnesses described as a makeshift flamethrower.I spoke with several security experts last week about this incident. One veteran analyst put it bluntly: "This wasn't activism gone wrong – it was premeditated attempted mass murder." The attack fits an alarming pattern we've seen emerging: the shooting of Israeli Embassy staff in DC, the attempted arson at Pennsylvania's Governor's mansion, and now this.But here's what troubles me most: We're seeing a fundamental shift in how political grievances manifest as violence. When I started covering politics thirty years ago, antisemitism certainly existed, but it rarely translated into such brazen public attacks. The ADL's recent data backs this up – they're tracking increases across the ideological spectrum, from far-right extremism to radical anti-Israel activism.Some of my colleagues want to frame this purely through a partisan lens. That's too simplistic. Dr. David Mednicoff at UMass Amherst offers a more nuanced view: antisemitism is simply "discrimination, prejudice, hostility or violence against Jews as Jews." It transcends traditional political boundaries.The Boulder incident has particularly complex implications for campus activism. Having covered higher education for years, I've watched elite institutions like Harvard struggle to balance free expression with protecting students from harassment. It's a delicate dance that's becoming increasingly difficult to choreograph.What's clear is that symbolic gatherings – like Boulder's hostage solidarity march – have become targets. Law enforcement isn't taking chances; they're boosting security at Jewish institutions nationwide. But we can't police our way out of this problem.Here's the hard truth: America faces a critical challenge in protecting both free speech and public safety. One security expert I trust made a compelling point: "The ideology behind October 7th and the Molotovs of June 1st share the same dangerous DNA."As someone who's witnessed decades of political evolution, I'm deeply concerned. This isn't just about protecting one community – it's about preserving the fundamental values that make American democracy work. The Boulder attack should serve as a wake-up call. We either address this rising tide of religiously motivated violence now, or we risk watching it tear at the fabric of our society.These aren't easy issues to resolve. But if my years of covering American politics have taught me anything, it's that facing uncomfortable truths head-on is always step one toward meaningful change.