A candlelight vigil for the victims in the Hamas attack in Israel at the University of Florida descended into a stampede leaving dozens of people injured on Monday night.
According to astatementfrom the University of Florida Police Department, members of the Jewish community had gathered at the university’s Turlington Plaza in support of Israel. Just before 9 p.m. one attendee fainted, which led those in the crowd to ask for 911 to be called.
Israel Vigil at the University of Florida.Matt V. Gold
Matt V. Gold
However,The Gainesville Sunreported that more than 30 people from the university’s “United with Israel” candlelight vigil that were treated for injuries at UF Health Shands Hospital and that the hospital had described the incident as a “mass casualty” event due to the large number of patients.
Witnesses told the publication that as the crowd dispersed, people fell and tripped over each other, leading to several people sustaining injuries. Students received treatment at the hospital for concussions and gashes that needed stitches, and one student was transported to the hospital via ambulance for a broken leg, according toThe Gainesville Sun.
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“It was a real stampede,” Chanie Goldman, co-director of the Chabad Jewish Student Center, toldThe Gainesville Sun. “Kids are very shaken up … People came to the event on edge to begin with because there is a fear [of] going to any Jewish event that something could happen.”
There are over 9,000 Jewish undergraduate and graduate students at the University of Florida, according to thewebsiteof the university’s Jewish organization, Hillel.
According toThe Gainesville Sun,the vigil will now be held at a later date.
Students at University of Florida during the Hillel vigil for Israel.Matt V Gold
Matt V Gold
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In light of the recent events, PresidentJoe Bidenissued a statementsaying that police departments have stepped up security around Jewish centers in cities across the U.S. and that they are “closely monitoring” for any “domestic threats” in connection with the attacks in Israel.
source: people.com
