Portland Hate-based Attack Friday May 26th

As most of the world by now knows, on Friday, May 26th 2017 a man on a commuter train began terrorizing two teenaged girls, one of whom was wearing a hijab by shouting profanities and violent hate speech toward them. Three men intervened on behalf of the victims and were immediately attacked by the perpetrator. Two of the men were stabbed to death and one was severely wounded, literally escaping death by a millimeter.

The perpetrator of these crimes had done time in prison and was a known Neo-Nazi. As of this writing it is not yet clear whether mental health issues, drugs, or alcohol played a role in his conduct toward the female passengers on the train and in his decision to cut the throats of the three men who intervened on their behalf.

These men were ordinary commuters on their way to or from work. Of the two men murdered, one was a veteran and father of four in his fifties known to be helpful at work and devoted to his children. The other was a recent college graduate described as gentle in spirit and having a very promising future. The third victim who managed to survive with serious wounds was in his early twenties and known for his poetry and his willingness to help those in need.

The attacker was animated by the kind of hatred and scapegoating that is implicitly encouraged at the highest levels of power and influence in this country and which is sadly starting to feel normal. But in coming to the rescue of his victims and in making their extraordinary sacrifice, these three men reminded the world that this type of manufactured hatred and the behavior that it promotes are not normal and not decent. Through their actions, they showed us what is normal and decent behavior for any human being regardless of their identity, beliefs, political affiliations, or feelings. And in doing this, they reminded the world that America remains a great country, because of the fundamental decency of the majority of its citizens.