Several officials at the local, state and federal levels reacted on Friday to the incident at Chautauqua Institution, where author Salman Rushdie was attacked on the Amphitheater stage right before he was scheduled to give a lecture. Rushdie was transported to a trauma center in Erie after he was apparently stabbed in the neck by a 24-year-old New Jersey resident. The suspect has been charged with attempted murder and assault.
Chautauqua County Executive P.J. Wendel issued the following statement:
On behalf of all Chautauqua County residents, I extend my thoughts and prayers to the family and friends of Salman Rushdie.
The small tranquil community of the Chautauqua Institution has been shaken to its core by an act of violence, which has reverberated across Chautauqua County and Western New York. It is disappointing that we live in a society where we cannot listen to the differences of others, especially in a place like the Institution where thinkers and problem solvers from around the world come to share their stories.
I thank all of the emergency and law enforcement agencies who have done a tremendous job in responding to this horrific event. It is through their quick response that they were able to mitigate the situation and capture the alleged assailant.
State Senator George Borrello said the following:
This shocking attack on a celebrated and noted author, apparently prompted by fundamentalist extremism, has no place in America. The Founding Fathers fled tyranny and knew all too well the dangers of absolutism and religious zealotry. There is no room, in a free society, for beliefs that demand that you kill someone who disagrees with you.
I bought [The Satanic Verses], as did so many others, as a show of support for Mr. Rushdie and for the basic human right of free speech. My thoughts and prayers are with Mr. Rushdie and my hope is that he has a speedy recovery.
Governor Kathy Hochul posted the following statement on social media:
Today's attack on Salman Rushdie was also an attack on some of our most sacred values -- the free expression of thought. We condemn all violence. We stand up to attacks on our fundamental rights. And we remain firm in our commitment to freedom to speak and to write truth.
Senate Majority Leader Charles made this statement:
This attack is shocking and appalling. It is an attack on freedom of speech and thought, which are two bedrock values of our country and of the Chautauqua Institution. I hope Mr. Rushdie quickly and fully recovers and the perpetrator experiences full accountability and justice.
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand issued this statement:
Absolutely appalled by this violent and senseless assault on Salman Rushdie, and I'm praying for his swift recovery. Freedom of speech is one of our most sacred and fundamental values, and we will not tolerate attacks against it. This perpetrator must be brought to justice.
