Professor Doumani had spent some time with the three students who were shot, Hisham Awartani, Tahseen Ahmad, and Kinnan Abdalhamid over the weekend. He read a text from Hisham to those attending the vigil.
“I would like to start out by saying that I greatly appreciate all the love and prayers being sent my way. Who knew that all I had to do to become famous was to get shot? On a more serious note, it’s important to recognize that this is part of the larger story. This hideous crime did not happen in a vacuum. I said about a month ago that Palestinians cannot afford to hold vigils every time this happens.
"And as much as I appreciate the love from every single one of you here today, I am but one casualty in this much wider conflict. Had I been shot in the West Bank where I grew up, the medical services which saved my life here would likely have been withheld by the Israeli Army. The soldier who would’ve shot me would go home and never be convicted. I understand that the pain is so much more real and immediate because many of you know me, but any attack like this is horrific, be it here or in Palestine.
"This is why when you send your wishes and light your candles for me today, your mind should not just be focused on me as an individual but rather as a proud member of the people being oppressed.”
