Run For Their Lives Walk In Commack To Advocate For Hostages Held In Gaza

COMMACK, NY — Members of Run For Their Lives Commack plan to gather at Northgate Shopping Center in Commack at 10 a.m. Sunday for their weekly walk to raise awareness for the 58 hostages still being held in Gaza after more than 600 days, the chapter announced. The shopping center's address is 1139 Jericho Turnpike Commack.

The group says it remains "undeterred" despite a chapter of the same group being attacked in Boulder, Colorado, this past Sunday, authorities said.

Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, an Egyptian national, was accused of using an incendiary device in a targeted attack at Boulder's Pearl Street that injured 15 protesters, authorities said, AP News reported.

Soliman was living in the U.S. illegally, federal authorities said, AP News reported. He faces a federal hate crime charge and state attempted murder charges in connection with the attack, AP News reported. Soliman yelled "Free Palestine" and threw two of 18 Molotov cocktails, injuring more than half the estimated 20 people demonstrating, AP News reported.

The Run for Their Lives Commack chapter, one of 230 across the world, has been walking every week since shortly after the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israel. The Commack group stated it remains steadfast in its mission to "keep the plight of the hostages in the public eye and to stand united against hate," said Kurt Roth, leader of Run for Their Lives Commack.

This week’s walk will be held in solidarity with the peaceful Run for Their Lives walkers in Boulder, who were "brutally attacked in a firebombing this past Sunday," Roth said. The Commack chapter will be accompanied by a bipartisan group of elected officials, including U.S. Congressman Nick LaLota and New York State Assemblyman Steve Stern, according to Roth.

LaLota and Stern did not immediately respond to Patch's request for comment.

"We will continue to walk every Sunday until all the hostages are released," Roth said. "Fear and intimidation will not stop us. This is not only about the hostages; it’s now about showing that our community stands together, united in support, advocacy, and peace. We will not shrink in fear."

All members of the community are invited to join, Roth said.

"Together, we can send a powerful message: we will not be silent, and we will not stop walking until all hostages are released," he said.