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Novelist Salman Rushdie Attacked During Outdoor Event In Western New York State

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(The Guardian) Author Salman Rushdie attacked at New York event
Rushdie was attacked onstage at an event in upstate New York, according to the Associated Press, who had a reporter at the event. Onlookers said he was stabbed as he was about to give a speech in Chautaqua, which is about seven-hour drive from New York City, near the southern shore of Lake Erie.

Rushdie, the author whose writing led to death threats from Iran in the 1980s, was attacked on Friday morning as he was preparing to give a lecture.

An Associated Press reporter witnessed a man storm the stage at the Chautauqua Institution and begin punching or stabbing Rushdie as he was being introduced. The author ended up on the floor and could be seen with a first responder crouching over him and organizers rushing to help.

A man was apprehended, according to the news agency.
More information is emerging on the attack of author Salman Rushdie during a planned talk at an educational center in western New York state.

Here is a video taken from inside the event of medics assisting Rushdie on-site, depicting chaos and confusion as Rushdie was being treated.

From author Shiv Aroor...
 
(The Guardian) New York state police issue statement on Rushdie
New York state police also have issued a statement in regards to the attack on Rushdie, writing: On August 12, 2022, at about 11 a.m., a male suspect ran up onto the stage and attacked Rushdie and an interviewer. Rushdie suffered an apparent stab wound to the neck, and was transported by helicopter to an area hospital. His condition is not yet known.
Suspect in Rushdie attack is in custody
New York state police have also confirmed that a suspect has been taken into custody.

From the New York state police statement: A State Trooper assigned to the event immediately took the suspect into custody. The Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office assisted at the scene. More information will be released when it is available.
 
(The Guardian) PEN International, the renowned literary organization, published a statement on Twitter about the attack of Rushdie, writing: We are deeply concerned by the news that former PEN America President [Salman Rushdie] was attacked today just before giving a lecture at the Chautauqua Institution in New York. We condemn the attack and wish him a fast recovery.
Reactions to the stabbing of Rushdie have poured in across social media, with many expressing outrage, shock, and worry.

Feminist and author Taslima Nasreen expressed her concern and shock over Rushdie’s attack on Twitter: I just learned that Salman Rushdie was attacked in New York. I am really shocked. I never thought it would happen. He has been living in the West, and he has been protected since 1989. If he is attacked, anyone who is critical of Islam can be attacked. I am worried.

Author Wajahat Ali, who spoke at Chautauqua Institution two weeks prior to Rushdie’s stabbing, called the attack “disgusting” and wished Rushdie a quick recovery: I was there 2 weeks ago giving a talk. It’s a lovely place with a fantastic, curious and welcoming community. This is shocking. I hope Salman Rushdie isn’t injured and can recover and heal quickly. How disgusting.
 
(The Guardian) New York governor Kathy Hochul posted a statement on Twitter about Rushdie’s attack, praising first responders at the scene who assisted Rushdie and apprehended the suspected attacker. -- Thank you to the swift response of [New York state police] & first responders following today’s attack of author Salman Rushdie. Our thoughts are with Salman & his loved ones following this horrific event. I have directed State Police to further assist however needed in the investigation.
Hochul commented further on Rushdie’s stabbing, confirming that the author is alive and receiving treatment at a local hospital.

“He’s getting the care he needs,” said Hochul, who also praised a state trooper at the event for saving Rushdie’s life.

The governor also confirmed that the event moderator was also attacked, with the New York state police previously saying that the interviewer sustained a minor head injury.
 
(The Guardian) Writers and celebrities react with shock and horror
Here are more reactions on Rushdie’s stabbing from those in the writing community, from Maya Yang for the Guardian: Journalists, writers and celebrities reacted with shock and horror after author Salman Rushdie was attacked onstage at an event in New York state on Friday.

Rushdie was attacked as he was about to deliver a lecture at the Chautauqua Institution in western New York, according to witnesses. Police later said he had been taken to hospital with an apparent stabbing wound to the neck.

Rushdie’s writings, which many Muslims consider blasphemous, has led to death threats from Iran in the 1980s as Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini issued a fatwa, or edict, that called for Rushdie’s death.

Stephen King tweeted: “I hope Salman Rushdie is okay. ‘What is freedom of expression? Without the freedom to offend, it ceases to exist.’ – Salman Rushdie. Holding thoughts for you today,” Scott Simon, host of the Weekend Edition Saturday on NPR, tweeted, quoting Rushdie’s own words.
The CEO of PEN America, the literature and human rights non-profit, released a statement on Rushdie’s stabbing, writing that Rushdie had emailed her about placements for Ukrainian writers hours before he was attacked.

In a statement published on the organization’s website, Suzanne Nossel said: “PEN America is reeling from shock and horror at word of a brutal, premeditated attack on our former President and stalwart ally, Salman Rushdie, who was reportedly stabbed multiple times while on stage speaking at the Chautauqua Institute in upstate New York.

…Just hours before the attack, on Friday morning, Salman had emailed me to help with placements for Ukrainian writers in need of safe refuge from the grave perils they face. Salman Rushdie has been targeted for his words for decades but has never flinched nor faltered. He has devoted tireless energy to assisting others who are vulnerable and menaced.

While we do not know the origins or motives of this attack, all those around the world who have met words with violence or called for the same are culpable for legitimizing this assault on a writer while he was engaged in his essential work of connecting to readers. Our thoughts and passions now lie with our dauntless Salman, wishing him a full and speedy recovery. We hope and believe fervently that his essential voice cannot and will not be silenced.”

Rushdie was formerly the president of PEN America.
 
(The Guardian) UK prime minister Boris Johnson said he was “appalled” at the stabbing of Rushdie in comments he made on today’s attack.
Chautauqua Institution, the education center where Rushdie was speaking, released a statement on the incident via Twitter.


Henry Reese was the moderator for the planned conversation with Rushdie.

Reese suffered a minor head injury, according to an earlier statement from New York state police.
 
WHO IS SERAFIN said:
Quote: New York and Los Angeles, are already on track to surpass last year’s staggering rates of violent crime, data shows.
nypost.com

Violent crime surging in New York, Los Angeles: report

Reports of homicide, rape, assault and robbery are on pace to break 2021 levels halfway through the year.
nypost.com nypost.com
Click to expand...
Dude...
Unimpressed Spongebob Squarepants GIF
 
@WHO IS SERAFIN This is about a well-known novelist being stabbed. And I, for one, hope that he recovers and I'm praying for him. For once, have a heart.
 
WHO IS SERAFIN said:
Exactly! A novelist who can’t express himself in a city that used to be all about free expression. Dammit, where did I leave that heart? 😂
Click to expand...
Have you even read any of his novels? I think not.
 
Webster said:
(The Guardian) Author Salman Rushdie attacked at New York event
Rushdie was attacked onstage at an event in upstate New York, according to the Associated Press, who had a reporter at the event. Onlookers said he was stabbed as he was about to give a speech in Chautaqua, which is about seven-hour drive from New York City, near the southern shore of Lake Erie.

Rushdie, the author whose writing led to death threats from Iran in the 1980s, was attacked on Friday morning as he was preparing to give a lecture.

An Associated Press reporter witnessed a man storm the stage at the Chautauqua Institution and begin punching or stabbing Rushdie as he was being introduced. The author ended up on the floor and could be seen with a first responder crouching over him and organizers rushing to help.

A man was apprehended, according to the news agency.
More information is emerging on the attack of author Salman Rushdie during a planned talk at an educational center in western New York state.

Here is a video taken from inside the event of medics assisting Rushdie on-site, depicting chaos and confusion as Rushdie was being treated.

From author Shiv Aroor...
Click to expand...

Glad the man who did this got caught and the man who did it, will be looking at a lot of time in prison. As for Salman Rushdie, I hope he recovers from this.
 
WHO IS SERAFIN said:
Exactly! A novelist who can’t express himself in a city that used to be all about free expression. Dammit, where did I leave that heart? 😂
Click to expand...
Oh, that's nice; mock what happened....
 
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