Episode 39: Tell Everyone on this Train I Love Them

Lately it has felt that every day brings new tragedy and heartbreak. The loss of lives from civilians standing up to racists and white supremisists is nothing new; it has been going on for generations before us. It’s just that now we can watch it unfold live in the palm of our hands. 

Today’s story is one of those heartbreaks. The story of citizens that wanted to stand-up for what is right and were met with hate and death. When Demetria Hester, Micah Fletcher, Rick Best and Taliesin Myrddin Namkai-Meche stood up against a coward, they had no idea that for some, their lives would change. For others, it would end.  

Hollywood Transit Center Tribute (https://trimet.org/tribute/)

Destinee Mangum (center) and Walia Mohamed (wearing a hijab) (https://www.oregonlive.com/news/2020/02/videos-show-compassion-amid-tragedy-of-max-train-stabbings.html)

Best, Namkai-Meche, and Fletcher look on as ranting grows more intense

Fletcher confronts Christian to attempt to get him to back off, note knife in Christian's hand

After Fletcher is stabbed, cell phone recording captures ranting Christian with knife and a bleeding Fletcher in background

Fletcher, bleeding, speaks what he feels were his last words to good Samarian

The victims:

Ricky John Best (deceased), Micah Fletcher (survivor), Taliesin Myrddin Namkai-Meche (deceased) https://people.com/crime/portland-stabbing-victims-gofundme/

Micah Fletcher with stitched wound (https://www.kptv.com/news/max-train-stabbing-survivor-i-was-very-scared-i-was-not-going-to-see-the/article_0b91792c-4223-55ba-826b-5d0f5c624a75.html)

Hollywood Transit Center Tribute (https://trimet.org/tribute/)

Murderer Jeremy Christian before the event (https://www.portlandmercury.com/blogtown/2020/01/21/27849858/the-jeremy-christian-trial-a-primer-on-the-2017-max-train-stabbings)

Jeremy Christian mid outburst in court (https://www.foxnews.com/us/oregon-double-murderer-life-without-parole-2017-max-train-stabbings)

Videos from incident:

Video of testimonies in court:

Jeremy Christian outburst in court:

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Sources

APTA - Public Transportation Facts | Wikipedia - Max Light Rail |

Oregon Live - Prosecution Makes Closing Arguments in Max Stabbings |

KGW - Who is Jeremy Christian | KOIN - Jeremy Christian's Police Records Go Back 20 Years |

Buzzfeed News - These are the Victims of the Portland Train Stabbing Attack |

Oregon Live - Max Attack Victim Criticizes | Lit Hub - Portland Train Attack Survivors Destinee Mangum and Walia Mohamed Speak Out | The Oregonian - Woman Who Held MAX Stabbing Victim Before he Died Shares His Last Moments | The Oregonian - Prosecutor describes Portland MAX Train Stabbing as it Unfolded | The Oregonian - Cell Phone Footage Shows Good Samaritan Helping Stabbing Victims | Patch - Complicated Story George Elwood Tschaggeny