Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 30, 2018)
NATION Tuesday, October 30, 2018 East Oregonian Page 9A Pittsburgh synagogue massacre defendant in court 11 people gunned down; Trump plans to visit as some ask him to stay away By ALLEN G. BREED, MARK SCOLFORO AND MARYCLAIRE DALE Associated Press PITTSBURGH — The man charged in the Pitts- burgh synagogue massa- cre was brought into court in a wheelchair Monday, as some members of the Jew- ish community and others objected to President Donald Trump’s plans to visit, accus- ing him of contributing to a toxic political climate in the U.S. that might have led to the bloodshed. With the first funerals set for Tuesday, the White House announced that Trump and first lady Mela- nia Trump will visit the same day to “express the support of the American people and to grieve with the Pittsburgh community” over the 11 con- gregants killed Saturday in the deadliest attack on Jews in U.S. history. Some Pittsburghers urged Trump to stay away. “His language has encouraged hatred and fear of immigrants, which is part of the reason why these peo- ple were killed,” said Mari- anne Novy, 73, a retired col- lege English professor who lives in the city’s Squirrel Hill section, the historic Jew- ish neighborhood where the attack at the Tree of Life syn- agogue took place. Meanwhile, the alleged gunman, 46-year-old truck driver Robert Gregory Bow- ers, was released from the hospital where he was treated for wounds suffered in a gun battle with police. Hours later he was wheeled into a downtown federal courtroom in handcuffs to face charges. A judge ordered him held without bail for a prelimi- nary hearing on Thursday, when prosecutors will out- line their case. He did not enter a plea. During the brief proceed- ing, Bowers talked with two court-appointed lawyers and said little more than “Yes” in a soft voice a few times in response to routine ques- tions from the judge. Court- room deputies freed one of his cuffed hands so he could sign paperwork. He was expressionless. “It was not the face of villainy that I thought we’d see,” said Jon Pushinsky, a congregant who was in court for the hearing. Federal prosecutors are pressing for the death penalty against Bowers, who author- ities say expressed hatred of Jews during the attack and later told police, “I just want to kill Jews” and “All these Jews need to die.” After the hearing, U.S. Attorney Scott Brady called the shootings “horrific acts of AP Photo/Matt Rourke A person pauses on Monday in front of Stars of David with the names of those killed in a deadly shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh. violence” and added: “Rest assured we have a team of prosecutors working hard to ensure that justice is done.” The weekend massacre — which took place 10 days before the midterm elec- tions — heightened tensions around the country, com- ing just a day after the arrest of the Florida man accused of sending a wave of pipe bombs to Trump critics. The mail bomb attacks and the bloodshed in Pitts- burgh set off debate over whether the corrosive politi- cal atmosphere in Washing- ton and beyond contributed to the violence and whether Trump himself bears any blame because of his com- bative language. Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto, a Democrat, said the White House should contact the victims’ families and ask them if they want the presi- dent to come. He also warned Trump to stay away when the first funerals are held. “If the president is look- ing to come to Pittsburgh, I would ask that he not do so while we are burying the dead,” Peduto said. “Our attention and our focus is going to be on them, and we don’t have public safety that we can take away from what is needed in order to do both.” The White House did not immediately respond to the mayor’s request. Asked if Trump has done enough to condemn white nationalism, spokeswoman Sarah Huck- abee Sanders said he has “denounced racism, hatred and bigotry in all forms on a number of occasions.” Some looked forward to the president’s visit. Tree of Life Rabbi Jef- frey Myers said that Trump is “certainly welcome.” “I am a citizen. He is my president,” Myers told CNN. But Barry Werber, 76, who hid in a dark storage closet as the gunman ram- paged through the syna- gogue, said he doesn’t want Trump to come to Pittsburgh. He said Trump is trying to “instigate his base,” and “bigots are coming out of the woodwork.” Kristin Wessell, a home- maker who lives near Squirrel Hill, also said Trump should steer clear of Pittsburgh, to let the victims’ families “grieve how they see fit.” “I feel a lot of his com- ments are very much dog whistles to nationalists and white supremacists and rac- ists. So, yeah, I do place part of the blame on this on him,” said Wessell, a Dem- ocrat, who was passing out bouquets to passersby across the street from a kosher gro- cery store. “Anti-Semitism has always existed. But I feel like he is giving cover to people to be more blatant about it. And to be more vio- lent about it, rather than try- ing to calm and heal.” The youngest of the 11 dead was 54, the oldest 97. The toll included a husband and wife, professors, dentists and physicians. Bowers was charged with offenses that included caus- 11- 11-18 18 & ‘If you were in my shoes I’m sure you could have,’” Cohen said. Just minutes before the synagogue attack, Bow- ers apparently took to social media to rage against HIAS, a Jewish organiza- tion that resettles refugees under contract with the U.S. government. “HIAS likes to bring invaders in that kill our peo- ple,” he is believed to have written on Gab.com, a social media site favored by right- wing extremists. “I can’t sit by and watch my people get slaughtered. Screw your optics, I’m going in.” HIAS had recently weighed in on the migrant caravan heading toward the U.S. from Central America, urging the Trump adminis- tration to “provide all asy- lum seekers the opportunity to present their claims as required by law.” The pres- ident has vilified the cara- van and pledged to stop the migrants. One of the targets of the mail bomb attacks last week was liberal Jewish philan- thropist George Soros, who has been accused by far- right conspiracy theorists of paying migrants to join the caravan. BABYSITTING BASICS 101 For babysitters ages 10-15. Learn childcare techniques, children's developmental stages and what to expect, basic first aid and infant and child CPR. Choose any one of the following classes: Saturday, November 3 Come Help Us 9:00am-3:00pm $40, includes lunch & all class materials Must pre-register & Pre-pay, call 541-667-3509 CELEBRATE 41 P e LIVING WELL WITH CHRONIC PAIN Is chronic pain negatively affecting your life? Over the YEARS course of 6 weekly sessions, we’ll explore a variety of techniques for breaking the pain cycle. When the ones that work best are included in your health and wellness toolkit, your quality of life can improve. Put more life in your life with Living Well - because your health matters! in business at ndleton B ook CO Tuesdays Nov. 6 thru Dec. 11 2:30-5:00pm . Must pre-register, call 541-667-3509 FALLS PREVENTION FREE WORKSHOP Aging can make balance and coordination more difficult, DOOR PRIZES: PBC PBC PBC PBC $25 $50 $75 $100 GIFT CERTIFICATES: Zimmerman & CO. Rainbow Café Hamley’s Coff ee Shop Cimmiyotti’s leading to falls. Fortunately, most falls can be prevented! Learn the common reasons people fall, how the brain is involved, and how to improve balance and coordination! FREE workshop - everyone welcome! Pre-registration helpful but not required. Saturday, Nov. 10 or Dec. 8 10:00am-Noon Call 541-667-3509 10% OFF NEW BOOKS IN STORE STOCK FREE HELP WITH MEDICARE The Hermiston SHIBA (Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance) Office has certified volunteers to help with Medicare questions. FREE service is available to people with Medicare, (or eligible for Medicare) and their families, and caregivers. One on One Consultations: SHIBA office located in the Good Shepherd Medical Group Lobby Area. Call 541- 667-3507 to schedule an appointment with a certified SHIBA volunteer Information or to register call (541) 667-3509 or email healthinfo@gshealth.org www.gshealth.org 541.276.9292 125 S. Main St., Pendleton, OR Tue.-Fri. 9:30-5:30, Sat. 9:30-5:00, Closed Sun. & Mon. join! Cos Come Come join! Costume Contest 5 & U Com 5-10 5 & Under 5-1 ing death while obstruct- ing a person’s right to the free exercise of religion — a hate crime — and using a gun to commit murder. He was also charged under state law with criminal homicide, aggravated assault and ethnic intimidation. The president of the hos- pital where a wounded Bow- ers was taken said that he was ranting against Jews even as Jewish staff mem- bers were treating him. “He’s taken into my hos- pital and he’s shouting, ‘I want to kill all the Jews!’ and the first three people who are taking care of him are Jewish,” Jeffrey Cohen of Allegheny General Hospital told ABC’s “Good Morning America.” “Ain’t that a kick in the pants?” Cohen, who is also Jewish and a member of Tree of Life synagogue, said he stopped by Bowers’ room. “I just asked how he was doing, was he in pain, and he said no, he was fine,” Cohen said. “He asked who I was, and I said, ‘I’m Dr. Cohen, the president of the hospital,’ and I turned around and left.” He said the FBI agent outside Bowers’ room told him he didn’t think he could have done that. “And I said, The Hermiston Junior Academy students, faculty, school board, and Foundation Board of Directors wish to thank the following individuals and businesses for their kind and generous support of Christian Education in our community. 5-10 test 18 & Up Foundation 1300 NW Academy Lane PO Box 403 • Hermiston OR 97838 1601 Southgate 1601 Southgate Place Place Come right right through the front h the the doors front doors Come through front doors 4pm—7pm We will have games, trick or tre ating and all 4pm—7pm of sorts fun for of fun your for kids your to kids enjoy! to enjoy! We will sorts have games, trick or treating and all sorts of fun for your kids to enjoy! 60 Minute Photo – Tammy James A1 Industrial Ace Hardware – Randy & Tammy Smith Alive & Well Allan Payne Andee’s Boutique Annie Brink Banner Bank Bellinger Farms Produce & Gourmet Shoppe Big 5 Sporting Goods Big River Golf Course Britney Wood, LMT Camp Mivoden Central Machinery CHS Nutrition Chuckwagon Café Columbia Bank Cottage Flowers Country Animal Hospital Dairy Queen Dale & JoAnn Rincker HAPPY 76TH BIRTHDAY, HERMISTON JUNIOR ACADEMY!!! Dawn Eddy Decadent Delights Cakes & More – Tanya Bosch Delish Bistro Doug & Carleen Flaiz Dr. Romero – Wal-Mart Pharmacist Dutch Bros Duane & Tamie Johnson ENT Facial Plastic & Laser Center – Richard & Claudia Flaiz Family Health Associates First Community Credit Union Good Shepherd Pharmacy Guy & Paula Oltman Hale’s Restaurant Heidi’s Coff ee Cottage Hermiston Drug Hi Tek Nails HJA Classroom Baskets Home Depot Irrigon SDA Church Jake Broyles Jason Jackson, Chocolatier Jean Carlton Kim Munar Kopacz Nursery & Florist La Palma Restaurant Larry & Darla Hanson Laura Eddy Linda Anderson Les Schwab Tires Mechanix, Inc. – Ken & Joanne Wilson Midway Bar & Grill Nelly’s Super Tacos Nutrien Ag Solutions NW Farm Supply NW Metal Fabricators O So Kleen Patti Carroll Petsen$e Preferred Property Management – Randy & Rhonda Randall RUBY Group, Dr. Jim Johnson Purswell Pump RDO Equipment Reesa Leavitt Safeway Sanitary Transfer Station Sassafras Flowers – Shera Hopper Shari’s Restaurant Sorbenots SS Equipment Steve Walker Styling Arena Taste of Thai Toni Eddy Top Notch Construction – Andy Englehart Two Rivers Correctional Institute Umpqua Bank USA Subs Wild Goose Design – Glenn & Bonnie Greiner Ye Olde Pizza Shoppe Yo Country Frozen Yogurt – Terry & Tricia Journot We also want to express our thanks to all who participated in the event.
