Henry Reese: the man on stage with Salman Rushdie when he was attacked

 Henry Reese Photo: Renee Rosensteel

Writer Sir Salman Rushdie was stabbed numerous times in mid-August as he prepared to give a lecture in New York State on the subject of the United States as a safe haven for exiled writers. 

On stage with Rushdie was co-founder of City of Asylum Pittsburgh Henry Reese, who was also injured in the attack. City of Asylum offers long-term residences for artists in exile from their home countries and under threat of persecution.

The assassination attempt came decades after Iran first called for the death of Rushdie in 1989. Iran has denied any involvement in the attack, but the Wall Street Journal reported this week that the Biden administration is considering sanctioning some Iranian organisations.

Salman Rushdie speaking at a Positive Economy Forum in Le Havre, France in 2016. (PHOTO: AFP)

City of Asylum rehabilitates houses for use by writers-in-residence, and commissions public artwork that incorporates a literary text. City of Asylum calls this process house-publishing. (PHOTO: supplied)

Chautauqua Institution just before the Rushdie event in western New York State. (PHOTO: supplied)

Chautauqua Institution just before the Rushdie event in western New York State. (PHOTO: )