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Family on Pearl Street during terror attack returns 1 week later for Boulder Jewish Festival
BOULDER (KDVR) — Pearl Street in Boulder was filled Sunday afternoon after thousands of people came to show support for the Jewish community following the terrorist attack last weekend.
'It's really meaningful to have people come and support our community,' Rachel Cohen, who was walking with the Run for Their Lives group during the fire-bombing attack last Sunday. The group walks to raise awareness and call for the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza.
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Cohen shared her story and explained the moment her gut instinct told her something was wrong.
'As we came up to the courthouse, I noticed some people who seemed questionable,' Cohen said, 'particularly the man who was doing the work or pretending to do the work, we now know he was there to harm us.'
Cohen, alongside her kids, said the walking group had stopped, and then in a matter of moments, the attack started to unfold.
'Then we heard a crack. My daughter, my seven-year-old, describes it as a window crash, then there was a smell of petrol,' Cohen explained. 'I turned and saw fire, and I immediately moved as fast as I could and pushed my children out of the way.'
Cohen told us she has participated in at least 40 or more of the 'Walk for their Lives' walks. She said Sunday's walk, when the attack happened, was actually very peaceful.
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'It was actually the first week we didn't have anyone heckling us, we had lots of people supporting us and thumbs up,' Cohen said. 'It was really nice; it felt like a great day, good weather and a good walk.'
She said that after she got her kids to safety, she called 911 and ran back to the chaos to help others in the attack.
'It might have been chaos, but everyone in our group did everything they could to make it work,' Cohen said. 'Make sure that everyone was cared for and protected, however we needed to do it.'
Back on Pearl Street, in a large crowd just seven days later, Cohen told us she definitely felt all the emotions.
'It makes me know that the possible sacrifice that could have happened last week with my kids, that it's not for nothing, and we walk every week,' Cohen said.
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She also wanted to thank not only the Boulder Jewish community but for everyone who attended the festival on Sunday, showing their support.
'Having people stand with us, it shows them we are not fearful,' Cohen said.
Alongside her family, they walked with hundreds on Pearl Street once again at the Boulder Jewish Festival and she said they will continue to go forward.
'Being a walker with Run for their Lives is to remind people that we are out here peacefully wanting these hostages to be released,' Cohen said.
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