Plan B Forum

Muslims in Portland have raised over $500,000 for the families of the heroes who defended love

After a racist murderer began ranting at two Muslim women on a Portland commuter train, three men who stepped up to defend the two women were stabbed. Ricky John Best and Taliesin Myrddin Namkai Meche died and a third man, Micah Fletcher, survived with serious wounds and is still in the hospital.

In the aftermath of the attack the Muslim Education Trust and CelebrateMercy, started a crowdfunding campaign for the victims in order to “respond to hate with love”.

The initial target for the campaign was set at $60,000 (£46,500), in order to cover the funeral costs for Mr Best and Mr Namkai-Meche. It was raised in just five hours.

As of this diary, the campaign has raised $515,909 for the families.

We wish to respond to hate with love, to evil with good, as our faith instructs us, and send a powerful message of compassion through action. Our Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, said: "Have mercy to those on earth, and the One in Heaven (God) will have mercy upon you." The Prophet's life exemplified that central commandment in the Quran: "Repel evil with that which is better" (41:34).

The campaign is not simply for Muslims, and like the three men coming to the aid of strangers beset by hatred, the world community is coming to their families’ aid now.

Fundraising proceeds will firstly help with the immediate, short-term needs of the grieving families - including funeral expenses. If needed, funds will also help with the medical bills of Micah David-Cole Fletcher (currently hospitalized). After all immediate expenses - such as funeral and memorial services - are covered, extra funds will go towards long-term expenses of the families. For example, Mr. Best - one of the victims - left behind a wife and four children. His family will definitely need significant help since all of his kids are still teenagers or younger - still needing to go through college.

Taliesin Namkai-Meche's mother is passionate about ensuring that her son's death inspires lasting change that builds bridges of understand and peace. To quote a statement from the family, "We ask that in honor of his memory, we use this tragedy as an opportunity for reflection and change." We are thus discussing with Talisin's family the potential opportunity - if there are enough funds remaining - for an endowed program or scholarship that will advance inclusion and bridge-building.

Hate might work faster and more dramatically, but love can outlast it all and is the only thing that ties us to immortality.

... His family will definitely need significant help since all of his kids are still teenagers or younger - still needing to go through college.

Bicycle Bill wrote:... When I want someone to replace my water heater, repair my gas furnace, or work on the steering and suspension of my car, I want a person who is trained and certified as a plumber, an HVAC installer, or an SAE mechanic rather than someone who spent four or more years in college to get a BS or BA in Adventure Education, Exercise and Movement Sciences, Popular Culture, or some other silly shit like that.