Statement from City of Boulder City Council and City Leadership on the June 1 attack on Pearl Street

As our community continues to reel from the act of violence and terror that occurred on our beloved Pearl Street Mall yesterday, we, as Boulder City Council members and city manager, acknowledge in the strongest possible terms that this was a targeted, antisemitic attack.

We stand in solidarity and sadness with those directly impacted by the attack as well as Boulder’s entire Jewish community. We are united in condemning this hateful act of terror against Jewish people.

The right of individuals to gather peacefully to express their viewpoints and show support for causes they care about is fundamental to democracy and a core tenet of our local values.

We are committed to doing all we can to help law enforcement and prosecutors bring the individual responsible for this heinous attack to justice. As such, we will refrain from any commentary or speculation about the suspect.

Instead, we choose to focus today on our Jewish community members who are in hospitals fighting for their lives and struggling to come to terms with deep physical and emotional injuries. They will have a long road to recovery, and we pledge to support them and their families in the ordeal ahead.

Terror is not just about causing pain and chaos in the moment. It is intended to sow division and create fear that lasts much longer than any single attack. We understand that for our Jewish community, dread and insecurity, backed by a history of persecution, are all too familiar. We cannot – and will not – allow antisemitism to become normalized here.

We resolve to continue to support our community through this challenging time.

Mayor Aaron Brockett
Mayor Pro Tem Lauren Folkerts
Council Member Matt Benjamin
Council Member Tina Marquis
Council Member Ryan Schuchard
Council Member Nicole Speer
Council Member Mark Wallach
Council Member Tara Winer
City Manager Nuria Rivera-Vandermyde