The victims' families and civil rights organizations are calling on Vermont law enforcement to investigate the shooting as a hate crime.
"The three were walking on Prospect Street when they were confronted by a white male with a handgun," Murad [BPD chief] wrote. "Without speaking, he discharged at least four rounds from the pistol and is believed to have fled on foot. All three victims were struck, two in their torsos and one in the lower extremities."
Murad noted in the press release that all three victims are 20-year-old men of Palestinian descent.
"Two are US citizens and one is a legal resident. Two were wearing keffiyehs at the time of the assault," Murad wrote, in reference to the traditional Palestinian scarf.
Maybe I’ll have to get a kuffiyeh. I usually don’t like appropriating other cultures, but maybe raising awareness is fine.
What a great idea! Imagine if wearing them caught on & became fashionable both for their looks and as a political statement! The fascist crowd here (USA) would go ape-shit. They'd be talking about banning them in public in no time flat.
Another article. Yeah, I could see keffiyehs gaining a following (see linked pic) - winters in VT are fargin' cold.
Yup, I'm in a cold climate as well, though not as common as in VT. So I could legitimately wear one for warmth, but it's not really my thing.
But idiots shooting citizens and residents (or anyone for that matter) due to ethnic or religious heritage is unacceptable, so if we normalize wearing them, maybe people wearing them won't get targeted as much.
I think you should pitch your keffiyeh idea to Darn Tough Vermont, get hired ("VP of Keffiyeh" on your door) and get into production as soon as possible. Their socks really are incredible - had a pair for hiking for 15-20yrs now and only recently did they finally get some wear holes - will return them and should get a free replacement per the warranty. I wouldn't be surprised if whatever they're made out of would stop bullets in addition to keeping the wearer warm. With domestic terrorism/hate-crimes/gun-violence on the increase nation-wide, this (DT Keffiyeh) could be the 2024 product of the year! Brilliant. Enjoy Northfield. :-)
But idiots shooting citizens and residents (or anyone for that matter) due to ethnic or religious heritage is unacceptable, so if we normalize wearing them, maybe people they won’t get targeted at much.
Heh, understood, I moved away many decades ago myself. That reminds me, when I was a kid there, gun laws were extremely lax. I was allowed to buy rifles and shotguns from retail stores as a young teenager, didn't even need a parent present. Not sure what the deal would have been with handguns. I remember taking a gun safety class put on by the police but I don't think that was a legal requirement, probably just a Dad requirement. Wonder what's changed, wouldn't be surprised if the answer is "not much".
"The more things change, the more they stay the same," so probably not much has changed. It looks like they have constitutional carry as well, just like my current state (Utah).
Yup. I hope the victims can provide more info. The article mentions two have stabilized, so hopefully they can provide good information to finish the investigation quickly.
I am Palestinian and I have never met another Palestinian who has been offended by someone wearing a keffiyeh if it's done out of support for us. Please go ahead. Buy a real one from Palestine if you can.