WASHINGTON, D.C., [11/26/2023] – United Voices, an organization advocating for justice, empowering people of color and amplifying voices of marginalized communities, strongly condemns the recent shooting of three Palestinian students in Burlington, Vermont. The incident, which occurred on Saturday evening, underscores the urgent need for collective action against rising hate and violence targeting Arab and Muslim communities.

The victims, Hisham Awartani, Kinnan Abdalhamid, and Tahseen Ahmed, students at Brown, Haverford, and Trinity University, respectively, were shot on their way to a family dinner, were taken to the University of Vermont Medical Center for serious injuries.

According to tweets by American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) and Husam Zomlot, Ambassador and Head of the Palestinian Mission to the UK, the assailant targeted the students based on their Arab identity. The victims were wearing the Palestinian keffiyeh and speaking Arabic when the attacker verbally harassed and subsequently shot them.

United Voices calls on state and federal officials to:

1. Condemn the Hate Crime: We urge officials to publicly denounce this reprehensible act of violence, emphasizing the need for unity and tolerance in our diverse society.
2. Apprehend the Shooter: Law enforcement must utilize all available resources to swiftly apprehend the perpetrator responsible for this hate crime, ensuring justice is served.
3. Investigate as a Hate Crime: We call on law enforcement authorities to thoroughly investigate this incident as a hate crime, acknowledging the evident bias motive.
4. Protect Palestinian, Arab, and Muslim Communities: Immediate and comprehensive measures are needed to ensure the safety of Palestinian, Arab, and Muslim students and communities on college campuses nationwide, as well as at houses of worship.

“We extend our thoughts and prayers to the victims, and we stand in solidarity with their families during this difficult time,” said United Voices in a statement. “Acts of violence fueled by prejudice have no place in our society. We call on officials to take immediate action to ensure the safety of Palestinian, Arab, and Muslim communities and to address the root causes of this disturbing surge in hate crimes.”

United Voices emphasizes the alarming rise in anti-Palestinian rhetoric perpetuated by elected officials and media. Such rhetoric fosters an environment conducive to hate violence against Arab and Muslim communities. The recent surge in anti-Muslim hate crimes, including the tragic murder of a 6-year-old Palestinian-American boy, who was stabbed 26 times, near Chicago and two arrests in New York involving pro-Israel individuals, one of whom is a former Obama National Security advisor Stuart Seldowitz, attacking or stalking Muslims, further emphasizes the urgency of addressing this issue.

United Voices calls for solidarity and action to eradicate hate in all its forms, working towards a future where diversity is embraced and protected.