h And when he started his freshman year at Fulton-Montgomery Community College in 2017 and couldn’t afford a bus ticket, On Point volunteers drove him to his classes until he saved up enough money to buy a car. h They provided Harvey, a 22-year-old senior majoring in communications at SUNY Polytechnic Institute in Marcy, with the knowledge and help he needed to put together a plan that made college doable. h He got expert help at a young age from programs like nonprofit On Point for College in Utica, the federal GEAR UP program and the state’s Educational Opportunity Program. Giovanni Harvey grew up with a single mother but never worried about affording college. A year later, Ayatollah Khomeini issued the fatwa, or edict, that called for Rushdie's death.Amy Neff Roth Utica Observer-Dispatch | USA TODAY NETWORK Rushdie is the author of 12 novels, six of which are USA TODAY best sellers, most notably 'The Satanic Verses,' which has been banned in Iran since 1988, as many Muslims consider it to be blasphemous. Rushdie's lecture at Chautauqua was scheduled to be with Reese, whom the institution described as 'co-founder and president of City of Asylum in Pittsburgh, which was founded in 2004 to provide sanctuary in Pittsburgh to writers exiled under threat of persecution.' We can take the experience of hatred and reflect on what it means for today. Or we can come together even more strongly as a community who takes what happened today and commits to not allowing that hatred be any part of our own hearts.' About Salman Rushdie 'This evening, we are called to take on fear and the worst of all human traits - hate. 'What we experienced at Chautauqua today is unlike anything in our 150-year history. It was an act of violence, an act of hatred and a violation of one of the things we have always cherished most: the safety and tranquility of our grounds and our ability to convene the most important conversations, even if those conversations are difficult. Rather, it should be countered with better ideas and alternative thought if not ignored altogether.'Ī vigil was held at the Chautauqua Institution Friday evening, with remarks by CI President Michael E. Insulting rhetoric should not be met with violence, regardless of the circumstance. 'The Muslim Public Affairs Council condemns any act of violence which infringes upon one’s security and wellbeing. Rushdie was assaulted in a public space for his ideas and opinions. Freedom of expression is a constitutional and Islamic human right. MPAC has been a vanguard of the right of freedom of speech, tracing our work back to 1989 when we spoke out against the fatwa issued against Mr. However, he always insisted that there should not be retaliation - instead the response should be shown through moral authority and perseverance. 'Time and time again, the Prophet was the recipient of verbal abuse because of what he preached. In a statement Friday, the Muslim Public Affairs Council condemned the attack on Rushdie, stating 'freedom of speech and expression is a concept that is woven into the fabric of our faith dating back to the time of the Prophet.' Muslim Public Affairs Council condemns attack Rushdie would want that either,' Hill said.

'I think the worst thing Chautauqua could do is to back away from its mission in light of this tragedy, and I don't think Mr. Hill, who called Rushdie one of the most significant champions of freedom of speech, said the institution will continue to invite speakers who are 'talking about the most important issues in the country,' and who aim to build bridges. More: Suspect in Salman Rushdie attack from Bergen County, New Jersey He said his office is working with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, as well as counterparts in New Jersey to develop further evidence that may lead to additional charges. 'Anything at this point would be speculation.' But aside from that, we don't have any information yet to determine exactly what the motive was,' Schmidt told the Times-News. Rushdie is a controversial novelist and we're all aware of the history here. Schmidt said a motive for the attack remains unclear. He said Matar has been remanded to the Chautauqua County Jail without bail. On Saturday, Chautauqua County District Attorney Jason Schmidt said Matar had been formally charged with second-degree attempted murder for the attack on Rushdie and second-degree assault for the attack on Reese. He could not confirm Matar's nationality or whether he had a criminal background. He said police were in the process of obtaining search warrants for a backpack and electronic devices located at the scene.

Eugene Staniszewski said Matar was likely acting alone. The State Police said the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office also brought in an explosive detection K-9 dog that assisted in clearing a bag the suspect had with him.

Observer dispatch