By Miranda Lassar
Managing Editor of Community and Global News
April 29 – MIT Memorial Opens in Honor of Policeman Sean Collier
MIT opened a memorial in honor of MIT police officer Sean Collier this past Wednesday. Thousands of people were in attendance for the ceremony to commemorate Collier’s dedication and sacrifice after being shot and killed during the manhunt of the Boston Marathon bombers in 2013. The memorial is composed of 32 granite slabs that make up a five-way stone vault inspired by the shape of an open hand. There are two inscriptions on the memorial from Collier’s eulogy: “In the line of duty, Sean Collier, April 18, 2013,” and “Live long like he would. Big hearts, big smiles, big service, all love.”
May 3 – Muhammad Cartoon Contest Sparks Violence in Texas
Two gunmen were shot and killed in Garland, Texas after opening fire on a security guard outside a cartoon contest depicting the Muslim prophet Mohammed. The American Freedom Defense Initiative was holding this contest and the grand prize was $10,000. This shooting bears similarities to the shootings in France and Denmark earlier this year that were also in response to depictions of Mohammed. CNN reports that one of the gunmen, identified as Elton Simpson, had connected himself to ISIS in a Tweet before the shooting. Authorities are still investigating whether this attack has any connection to international terrorism.
