Colorado Attack: Run For Their Lives Group Future
- A violent attack in Boulder, Colo.,targeted "Run for Their Lives," an organization dedicated to raising public awareness about hostages held by Hamas in Gaza.
- Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, allegedly told police he had planned the attack for a year and wished the victims were dead, according to federal agents.
- Shany Klein, founder of Run for Their Lives, expressed horror at the attack, emphasizing that the group's walks are a non-political effort to remember shared human values and...
Boulder Attack Targets Hamas Hostage Awareness Group
Updated June 03, 2025
A violent attack in Boulder, Colo.,targeted “Run for Their Lives,” an organization dedicated to raising public awareness about hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. The group is now reassessing its operations in the wake of the incident.
Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, allegedly told police he had planned the attack for a year and wished the victims were dead, according to federal agents. He is accused of throwing two Molotov cocktails at the group near the boulder courthouse while yelling ”free Palestine!”
Shany Klein, founder of Run for Their Lives, expressed horror at the attack, emphasizing that the group’s walks are a non-political effort to remember shared human values and to keep the plight of those in captivity in Gaza from being forgotten. These values, she said, include mutual respect, freedom and dignity.
Run for Their Lives,which has roughly 230 groups worldwide,will continue to hold public events despite the attack,Klein said. The organization has always prioritized safety, advising members to choose safe locations and avoid walking if they feel unsafe.
Klein acknowledged that the attack may deter some participants, noting that about 20% of the group’s members are not Jewish. However, many view the incident as rooted in anti-Jewish hatred.
“We really need to see this as a national wakeup call in terms of what is metastasizing in our society,” said Vlad Khaykin of the Simon Wiesenthal Center in Los Angeles.
Khaykin stressed that violence against Jews protesting for the release of loved ones is antisemitism and should be clearly identified in this very way. He advocated for law enforcement and education to combat anti-jewish hatred.
What’s next
run for Their lives plans to continue its mission of raising awareness for Hamas hostages while prioritizing the safety of its members. The organization hopes the attack will serve as a “national wakeup call” to address antisemitism.