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Community Gathers in Wake of Terror Attack; Weekly Run For Their Lives Hostage Walk Draws Thousands
An estimated 15,000+ people showed up on Pearl Street on Sunday, June 8th, to remember, and celebrate. To remember the the 56 hostages who remain in Gaza’s tunnels under horrific conditions. To remember and honor the 15 injured and the many survivors and witnesses of last week’s terror attack on the weekly Run For Their Lives walk, in the same space as attack took place. And to celebrate the strength and resilience of the Boulder Jewish community — and their friends, neighbors and allies.
Public officials, including Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser, Colorado Senator Michael Bennet, US Representative Joe Neguse, and many others were in attendance. The Denver chapter of Run For Their Lives (which is an international organization which sponsors the walks in 235 locations world-wide) joined the Boulder group in leading the weekly walk for the hostages to #BringThemHomeNow.
The walk itself drew thousands of participants, who walked from Broadway and Pearl to the Festival Stage on Pearl St. and filled the mall from 13th St. to 14th St. for the program of speakers. A large video board was set up on the Mall so that the thousands present could see the speakers on the stage. (The Festival was also livestreamed – check back for a link to the video.)
The Run For Their Lives program included the leaders of the Boulder chapter, the Denver chapter, and videos of Israelis from the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, telling us how much the videos of the weekly walks mean to them, and sharing love and sympathy for the victims of last week’s attack. And, Moshe Lavi, brother-in-law to Omri Miran, a hostage in Gaza believed to still be alive, who is a member of the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, came to Boulder to personally thank the walkers and stand with the Boulder community.
In addition to the Run For Their Lives program, a mini-Hostage Square was set up on the Courthouse Lawn to further remind attendees of the hostages that remain in Gaza.
More about the festival can be found in these news outlets’ coverage of the day:
Daily Camera/Denver Post
Colorado Public Radio
9News
CBS News Colorado
ABC News Denver
FOX31
Be sure to check back later this week for more pictures.
A note about the numbers: the first Boulder Jewish Festival was held in May, 1995 as an Israel Independence celebration. This year, 2025, is the 30th anniversary of that first Festival. It has been held every year since then except for 2020 and 2021 because of the pandemic. That makes this festival the 29th that’s been held.
