Literary figures and state officials say they are shocked by the news that author Salman Rushdie was stabbed in the neck Friday morning while on stage giving a presentation at the Chautauqua Institute in western New York.
“We cannot immediately think of any overtly violent attack on a writer during a literary event,” said Suzanne Nossel, executive director of the literary nonprofit PEN America. in the United States. Mr. Rushdie’s current condition and attack were unknown as of late Friday morning.
Mr. Rushdie is the former president of PEN America, an organization that advocates for writers’ freedom of expression around the world.
She said in a statement that members of the organization were “spinned with shock and horror.”
Ms Nossel said Mr Rushdie emailed her hours before the attack to ask about helping Ukrainian writers in need of safe haven.
“Salman Rushdie has been targeted for his words for decades, but has never faltered or faltered,” she said. “He has devoted his tireless energy to supporting vulnerable and threatened people.”
Author Neil Gaiman wrote on Twitter that he was “shocked and heartbroken” about the attack.
“He’s a good man and an excellent person and I hope he’s okay,” he said.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said in a post on Twitter that he was “appalled that Sir Salman Rushdie was stabbed while exercising a right we should never stop defending. Right now my thoughts are with his loved ones. We all hope he’s okay.”
New York Governor Kathy Hochul said she directed state police to assist in the investigation of Mr. Rushdie’s attack. A man was immediately arrested, according to a statement from the state police.
“Our thoughts are with Salman and his loved ones following this horrific event,” Ms Hochul said on Twitter.
Senator Charles E. Schumer of New York also spoke out on social media, calling the attack “shocking and appalling.”
“It is an attack on freedom of speech and thought, two fundamental values of our country and of the Chautauqua Institute,” Schumer wrote. “I hope Mr. Rushdie makes a speedy full recovery and that the perpetrators are held accountable and full justice.”
A spokesman for the Council on American-Islamic Relations, the country’s largest Muslim civil rights group, said he was concerned that people might blame Muslims or Muslims for the stabbing before knowing the name. the attacker’s intentions or motives.
“American Muslims, like all Americans, condemn any act of violence against anyone in our society,” said Ibrahim Hooper. “But go without saying. We will have to monitor the situation and see what truth comes to light.”
Liam Stack contribution report.
