PORTLAND, Ore. ― A tribute to honor the victims of the attack aboard a train in Portland, Oregon, is now a message of solidarity for those affected by the London terror attacks Saturday.
Chris Lejeune, whose younger brother was killed in the May 26 train attack, planned a light show for Saturday night projecting the words “solidarity,” “peace” and “unity” on the top six stories of the PacWest Center in Portland’s downtown. The installation was meant to honor the two men who died defending two girls from their attacker, an alleged white supremacist. But it took on an expanded meaning when Lejune found out about the London attacks, which left seven dead and 48 others injured, as he was setting up.
“We send our hearts out to all the people who just got hurt in London as well,” Lejuene said. “We have to send a message of unity and love and peace across the world right now. In these kinds of times its important to understand that our only way forward is for people to come together, and not be divisive and build walls between people and cultures. “
He told HuffPost he dedicated the projection to the victims in London just as he did his brother, Taliesin Myrddin Namkai-Meche, 23, Ricky John Best, 53, the other fatality in the train attack, and others across the world who are grieving.
Namkai-Meche was able to spend his last day with his girlfriend, Ellie Lawrence, at his newly purchased home, doing gardening work and cooking dinner.
Lawrence told HuffPost that Namkai-Meche was always one to offer himself up to others in small acts of heroism. She recalled one a night where they met a homeless man who needed shelter, so Namkai-Meche offered him a place to stay.
“He was trusting and he was kind and he was going to step in if he saw something wrong.”
On the train, a woman came to Namkei-Meche’s aid as he was dying. She later recalled the young man’s last goodbye.
“Tell everyone on this train I love them,” he said.
Best, an Army veteran, was known by friends for his willingness to help others.
The train attack has highlighted what some are calling a “white terror crisis” in Portland. A rally of supporters of President Donald Trump is planned for Sunday and sparked a counter-protest scheduled for the same time. Police are concerned the dueling demonstrations might spark violence.
Lejuene plans to project his message of peace and unity again on Sunday night, after the demonstrations.
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