Brooklyn, NY – Today, House Democratic Leader Jeffries released the following statement:

It is deeply disturbing that three Palestinian students were shot last night in Vermont in what is being investigated as a possible hate crime. My prayers are that the victims will have a swift and complete recovery. We also stand with the families and community members who are grappling with this shocking act of violence. 

While we await additional information about the motivation for the shooting, it remains important that people of goodwill unequivocally denounce the startling rise of anti-Arab hate and Islamophobia in America. No one should ever be targeted for their ethnicity or religious affiliation in our country. We will not let hatred win.

###