Staff Reports
In the idyllic college town of Boulder, Colorado, people gathered to stand in solidarity with families affected by ongoing international conflicts. What these peaceful folks didn’t expect was to become the target of a would-be mass murderer with a Molotov cocktail collection and seemingly no remorse. Mohamed Sabry Soliman, a man accused of first-degree murder, allegedly targeted Zionists in a shocking attack that left twelve innocent people hurt. For some reason, amidst our culture of unrestricted “you do you” immigration policies, he wasn’t even supposed to be here. But, as they say in Washington, who’s counting?
Once more, we are forced to question the effectiveness of policies that allow individuals to enter the United States, only to see some turn around and utilize their newfound freedom to create chaos and fear. Soliman, reportedly unable to purchase a firearm, resorted to Molotov cocktails. One might wonder how this makeshift armament seemed a feasible option in a supposedly safe American community. However, the real burning question here is, why was Soliman still in the country? His asylum status, which was generously granted back in March of 2023, expired almost as fast as it was issued. And yet, there he was, enjoying the perks of American hospitality while planning his terrible act.
Sympathy pours in for the victims and their families as they process the senseless violence. Among those affected were families who have already endured unimaginable loss, like the relatives of an IDF soldier taken hostage, now having lost hope of his survival after a prolonged ordeal. As if these families needed more fear and heartbreak, they now must grapple with the ugly reality that anti-Semitic violence is closer than any of them wanted to believe. It appears that terror doesn’t always originate from across the ocean or in distant lands, and sometimes, it upsets the peace of small-town America.
With President Trump seizing the opportunity to lambaste President Biden’s border policies, it brings to light a broader issue we repeatedly sweep under the rug. The violent acts unfold not just as isolated incidents but as symptoms of a much larger problem festering in the heart of our immigration system. How many more of these tragedies must we witness before we admit there is a pressing need for reform? Sweeping these issues aside and hoping for the best is like waiting for a Molotov cocktail to gently peter out. Spoiler alert: it won’t.
As citizens, we stand side-by-side with those calling for awareness and justice—the very same individuals who risk danger to fight against the uproar of hatred. These marches are not a political grandstand but a clarion call for humanitarian action. However, while people rally and counter the tide of extremism, the nation’s policies must evolve to prevent such heinous acts in the first place. Without meaningful change, we risk ignoring the smoldering fuse of violence hiding behind misleading smiles and expired paperwork.
