Salman Rushdie, the Indian-born novelist whose book, The Satanic Verses, drew death threats from Iran in the 1980s, was attacked Friday morning on stage just before he was set to speak at a literary festival in Chautauqua, in New York State. Rushdie was airlifted to hospital and details of his condition are still unknown. Here are the reactions to the attack.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul:
“Our thoughts are with Salman and his loved ones following this horrific event.”
New York United States Senator Chuck Schumer
“This attack is shocking and horrific. It is an attack on freedom of speech and thought, which are two fundamental values of our country and the Chautauqua Foundation.”
Committee to Protect Journalists President Jody Ginsberg
“Shocking news. Salman Rushdie has always been a staunch defender of everyone’s rights to speak freely. My thoughts are with his loved ones.”
Iranian journalist and activist Masih Alinejad
“You can kill us, but you cannot kill the idea of writing and fighting for our dignity. I condemn the barbaric attack on Salman Rushdie. After surviving a kidnapping and assassination plot in New York, I will not feel safe on American soil until the US takes strong action against terrorism.” You can kill us, but you cannot kill the idea of writing and fighting for our dignity. I condemn the barbaric attack on Salman Rushdie. After surviving a kidnapping and assassination plot in New York, I won’t feel safe on US soil until The US takes strong action against terrorism. pic.twitter.com/AGEwlxWFxQ — Masih Alinejad (@AlinejadMasih) August 12, 2022
British author JK Rowling
“I feel very sick right now. Let him be well.”
American author Stephen King
“I hope Salman Rushdie is well.” I hope Salman Rushdie is well. — Stephen King (@StephenKing) August 12, 2022
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson
“Appalled that Sir Salman Rushdie was stabbed while exercising a right we must never stop defending. My thoughts are with his loved ones at this time. We hope everyone is well.”
UK Home Secretary Priti Patel
“Shocked and appalled to hear of the unprovoked and senseless attack on Sir Salman Rushdie. Freedom of expression is a value we hold dear and attempts to undermine it must not be tolerated. My thoughts are with Sir Salman and his family.” Terrifying news. — JK Rowling (@jk_rowling) August 12, 2022
Pen America Free Speech CEO Suzanne Nossel
“We can think of no comparable incident of a public attack on a literary author on American soil…Salman Rushdie has been targeted for his words for decades, but he has never flinched or faltered. She has devoted tireless energy to helping others who are vulnerable and threatened. While we don’t know the origin or motivation of this attack, everyone around the world who has met words with violence or called for the same is guilty of legitimizing this attack on a writer while he was engaged in his essential work of connecting with the readers.”
Norwegian publisher William Nygaard, who was shot and wounded in 1993 after publishing Rushdie’s work
“Rushdi paid a high price. He is a great writer who meant so much to literature and had found a good life in the United States.”
UK Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries:
“Awesome. An appalling attack on a literary giant and one of the great defenders of free speech. Thoughts with @SalmanRushdie and his loved ones.”
