Pittsburgh prepares for funerals, Trump
Man accused of killing 11 people in synagogue shooting appears in court
PITTSBURGH— Residents in griefstricken Pittsburgh are preparing for the first of many funerals Tuesday, as well as a visit from President Donald Trump, who plans to meet with members of the Jewish community here despite the mayor’s request that he postpone the trip until after families bury those killed in Saturday’s synagogue shooting.
The man accused in the attack — the deadliest on Jews in American history, with 11 people killed — made his first court appearance Monday, two days after the massacre. Robert Bowers, a 46-year-old truck driver, was confined to a wheelchair because of injuries he incurred in a gun battle with police at Tree of Life synagogue in the Squirrel Hill neighbourhood. He allegedly told authorities upon his arrest that he was seeking to kill Jews. Magistrate Judge Robert Mitchell read the charges against him, including obstruction of exercise of religious belief resulting in death. Bowers, dressed in a blue sweatshirt and gray sweatpants, appeared coherent and alert. He said little, answering “yes” when the judge asked whether he had requested a public defender because he could not afford an attorney. He was being held without bail.
It did not appear that Bowers had any friends or family members present at the courthouse. The federal public defender’s office did not respond to requests for comment about the case.
White House press secretary Sarah Sanders announced Monday that Trump and first lady Melania Trump planned to visit Pittsburgh on Tuesday to “express the support of the American people and grieve with the Pittsburgh community.”
Mayor William Peduto, D, told reporters the president should wait, citing security considerations and sensitivity for those who are suffering.
“If the president is looking to come to Pittsburgh, I would ask that he not do so while we are burying the dead,” Peduto said, noting that the city does not have enough public safety officials to provide protection at the funerals while focusing on a presidential visit.
The first funeral — of two brothers, Cecil Rosenthal, 59, and David Rosenthal, 54, who had been going to Tree of Life synagogue since they were young boys — is expected to take place Tuesday. Peduto asked the White House to consider “the will of the families” before deciding to visit and to contact them to see “if they want the president to be here.”
The White House noted that Rabbi Jeffrey Myers, who survived the attack at the synagogue, said he would be honoured to meet with any U.S. president. Myers told The Washington Post on Monday that if Trump comes to Pittsburgh, “I welcome him as an American. He is the president.”
“Hate is not political. It is not blue or red, it’s not male or female, it doesn’t know any of those divisions,” Myers said. “The hate rhetoric in our country is a real problem. I’ve seen examples in the last 24 hours. I chose to take the polite and respectful path ... Hate is all around us, and people are oblivious to it. The hateful letters and e-mails about the president are just a renewed reminder of how divisive and painful this is.”
White House officials said ear- lier Monday that they were pushing the president to cancel a potential speech Tuesday on immigration and visit Pittsburgh instead. The president, who has four “Make America Great Again” rallies scheduled this week, is clamouring to get back on the campaign trail, they said.
In Pittsburgh, the community has been trying to heal itself. The city has been the scene of vigils every day.
“We find strength in one another,” Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro, D, said in an interview. “This gunman went in to try and kill as many Jews as possible. . . . We will come through this. And hopefully this feeling of community that we all share today can be channeled into each of us doing our part of rooting out hate.” THE STAR’S VIEW: An old hatred is on the rise, A10