Local Group Calling for Hostage Release Reacts to Boulder Attack
Tracy Lehr
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Since Hamas took hostages on Oct. 7 2023, people of all faiths have been doing what they can to keep the situation in the minds of people around the world.
A Santa Barbara group that goes by the name “Run For Their Lives,” is like the Boulder group targeted at the Pearl Street Mall in Boulder Colorado on Sunday.
Both are chapters of the grassroots organization known as R4TL.
“There are 230 groups worldwide that meet every week to walk 18 minutes in solidarity with the hostages and their families, it has been 605 days the hostages have been held in tunnels,” said Elissa Jacobson, who co-founded the Santa Barbara chapter.
The time of the walks or runs is significant.
In Hebrew the number 18 or “chai” (‘n) means “life.”
They peacefully meet on Sundays and name the names of the hostages and carry a banner reminding people of what happened.
The Santa Barbara chapter was called and asked to cancel Sunday’s walk after chapters started hearing about the violence in Colorado.
“Since day 100 we have met every Sunday week without fail, not all of us turn up every week, but the walk happens every week, which has been really wonderful this is the first time, we had to ground the walk,” said Jacobson.
What happened in Colorado weighs heavily on their minds.
“Right now we are regrouping and deciding the changes we may or may not make and learning more about what happened and what we will do going forward,” said Jacobson.
Like the Boulder group, they wear red shirts and have the same rituals.
It was started by a runner and is a reminder of the people who tried to run and escape Hamas on the day of the deadly attack.
In addition to walking every Sunday, they read One Tiny Seed and name the hostages and sing Hatikvah and Sholom Alechem.
Members of the local chapter come from all over the county, including Santa Ynez.
Their actions are shared on social media.
Journalist and group member Amy Katz makes sure photos and videos are taken and sent to the families in Israel to show they care.
“This group is not a protest group,” said Katz, “they are a prayer group, an interfaith prayer group, and so, it is just insane that somebody would target people who are praying for the hostages and families who have been suffering.”
“It is not a demonstration, it is not a protest, we are not shouting, we are quietly walking in solidarity,” said Jacobson.
All of the chapters are considering how to move forward.
“We welcome discussion, people stop up all the time and ask what we are doing and why and we often engage in conversation about the conflict.”
They learned on Monday that the man accused of carrying out the incendiary attack against Jewish community members in Boulder faces 16 counts of attempted murder and Federal hate crime charges.
The man, who not a citizen of U.S., has been identified as 45 year old Mohammad Soliman.
He also faces Federal hate crime charges.
Soliman told police he made the flame throwers because he couldn’t buy a gun.
One of the 12 victims is a holocaust survivor, two remain hospitalized.
One is in critical condition.
Jacobson and Katz said they don’t want to miss another Sunday gathering, but they may change the time and location due to concerns over safety.
“We are deeply concerned about how we can continue to do these prayers for the hostage, but do it safely,” said Katz.
For more information visit https://run4live.org
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