Rally supports family of man convicted in Boulder firebombing
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Rabbi Iah Pillsbury speaks at a community rally in support of the El Gamal family. Photo: Glenn Wallace/Axios
A group of Jewish residents in Colorado Springs rallied Tuesday in support of Hayman El Gamal and her five children, relatives of the man convicted in last year's Boulder firebombing attack.
Why it matters: The rally highlights a tense question in the aftermath of the attack: whether relatives who deny involvement should face deportation before their asylum claims are heard.
Catch up quick: El Gamal and her children — ages 5 to 18, per their attorney — were taken into immigration custody shortly after the June 2025 attack in downtown Boulder.
- The family members, Egyptian nationals who overstayed their visas and applied for asylum while in custody, were held at an ICE facility in Dilley, Texas, and released April 23.
- Neither El Gamal nor the children have been charged in connection with the attack.
The latest: Tuesday's rally was organized by the newly formed group Jews for Due Process, which Rabbi Iah Pillsbury of Temple Beit Torah described as representing "a wide array of the city's Jewish community."
- Speakers argued that children should not be punished for their father's crimes. Attendees sang prayer songs for healing and remembrance, including honoring Karen Diamond, who died after the attack.
- Organizers also shared a written statement from El Gamal apologizing to victims and expressing sympathy for Diamond's family.
- "To every victim … Please know that your pain is seen and that your life is precious. My family and I wish you peace, healing and the strength to move forward."
What they're saying: "These are my neighbors, and this is my community," organizer Erin Adlerstein told Axios. "If it was my family — which has been the case for Jews — I'd hope the community would be there for me."
- "This is just a family that we have an opportunity to speak up about," Pillsbury told Axios.
Zoom out: Tuesday's rally follows months of organizing by supporters of the El Gamal family, who argue the wife and children should not face deportation over a crime they were not accused of participating in.
State of play: Two U.S. District Court judges last month temporarily blocked federal authorities from deporting the family before their asylum requests could be processed.
- Attorneys for the family say ICE has repeatedly attempted to remove the family from the country without due process.
The other side: Department of Homeland Security acting assistant secretary Lauren Bis told the Texas Tribune that the family has received due process and will be deported.
- "Under President Trump, DHS will continue to fight for the removal of those who have no right to be in our country — especially terrorists and their associates," she said.