Washington D.C. – Following the arrest today of a suspect in the Vermont shooting of three Palestinian American students over the Thanksgiving holiday, People For the American Way President Svante Myrick released the following statement:
“We are shocked and saddened by the shootings of three American college students of Palestinian descent in Vermont. While we don’t have all the facts yet about this terrible attack, we are grateful the Department of Justice will be investigating this as a possible hate crime. Since the start of the war in the Middle East, we have seen an unacceptable spike in threats and violence against the Muslim and Jewish communities here in the US.
“We believe the American way is about celebrating our pluralism. We have a vision of a country where anyone of any religion can walk down the street and be safe. We have always had work to do to make that a reality, and it’s more important now than ever. We must keep working toward that day.”
###
About People For the American Way People For the American Way, a national progressive advocacy organization, inspires and mobilizes community and cultural leaders to advance Truth, Justice and the American Way. We convene courageous Americans, produce compelling media and organize campaigns to defend our democracy from authoritarian threats and advance America’s promise that everyone will enjoy freedom, safety and a vote that counts. Learn more: http://www.pfaw.org