By Michael Bielawski
The Palestinian community is planning a candlelight vigil at the Statehouse this Saturday in response to the triple shooting of three young Palestinian men over the weekend.
The vigil is to be at the Statehouse front lawn from 1-to-3 PM. Meanwhile, social justice activists and others have sounded off online about the shooting.
Social media response on X
On X many people posted in support of the three young victims. @iefrantz posted on Monday evening, “We gathered this evening for a vigil for the three students who were shot in Burlington this past weekend, and for safety for all.”
@VT_Media_Maven is not convinced that Chittenden County State Attorney Sarah George will fully prosecute Eaton.
“Fed hate crime Qs aside, if mental illness factors into #btv Eaton case, will Sarah George drop charges as she did on 3 murder cases in 2019? If she drops and Scott asks AG Clark to review, would Clark refile charges like TJ did on those 2019 cases? #vtpoli watches and waits,” the post states.
There was at least one rally in response to the shooting. @TheRakeVermont posted, “An emergency rally has been called for today at 5 pm at Burlington City Hall, Church Street side, in the wake of yesterday’s shooting of three Palestinians.”
@SquidbillyCPO1 is skeptical that this was in fact a hate crime, writing, “You know how we know with 100% certainty this was most likely a personnel beef? The police have not held a press conference to announce it was a hate crime. If they had even a nanometer of proof it was we would be hearing about it 24/7/365.”
Responses on Facebook
On Facebook, VT AFL-CIO president David Van Deusen blames rightwing extremists for the attack.
“My heart goes out to the three students that were shot. Vermont must root out and resist violent rightwing extremists.”
Ashley Smith of Burlington called it Islamophobia, writing, “Over 300 people turned out on 2 hours notice to protest against the racist, hate crime against three Palestinians in our home town. We showed that Burlington in our overwhelming majority is against anti-Palestinian racism and Islamophobia.”
Police chief reacts
Appearing on the Morning Drive Radio Show on Tuesday was Chief Jon Murad who spoke about how most people want to know what was the motive of the suspected shooter Jason J. Eaton who has pleaded not guilty to three counts of attempted 2nd-degree murder.
“When something this horrific and inexplicable happens, people seek out reason. And unfortunately, at times there isn’t a lot. Some of these things are not things that reasonable people do and they are things that are awful and they are outside of our norms and we may not find the answers that really satisfy us,” Murad said.
Murad also talked about how his department reached out to both Palestinian and Jewish communities to make sure everyone is OK.
“Our Jewish community is very concerned about this incident,” he said. “Obviously our Muslim community is [too] … I’m concerned about our Jewish community too because they feel keenly that something like this could cause repercussions and counter-violence.”
Jewish Community Reacts
JWeekly.com has reported that the Jewish Community has also spoken out in condemnation of this latest shooting.
“At least three area rabbis and three different Hillels were among the voices expressing shock and sadness over the shooting, the latest outbreak of violence in the United States connected to the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza,” the report states.
The report continues that since the Hamas terror attacks of Oct. 7, there have been multiple attacks against both Palestinians and Jewish people throughout the states.
Pro-Palestinian groups sound off on general conflict
Large pro-Palestinian groups in Vermont have in some cases expressed hostility towards those who support Israel.
“Israel has declared total war on Gaza with the full military, economic, and diplomatic support of the U.S.,” the Vermonters For Justice In Palestine group posted on their website along with their announcement for the vigil.
They continued, “While the U.S. government denies its own citizens access to healthcare, climate disaster relief, education, and more, it is sending billions of dollars of aid and military supplies to Israel.”
They make no mention of the Hamas Oct. 7 terrorist attacks. It continues, “[Israel] has destroyed schools, hospitals, mosques, churches, and civilian housing in flagrant violation of international law, and has also carried out attacks on the West Bank and the surrounding region.”
Students for Justice in Palestine signed onto the statement. Their Vermont chapter website states several of their goals including;
“Attempting to redress the historic injustices of colonialism, and particularly settler-colonialism, in Palestine and elsewhere in the world, including the United States and its territories through a program of decolonization and reparations.”
The author is a reporter for the Vermont Daily Chronicle