Here’s what people are saying about Friday’s verdict against Jeremy Christian:
Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler:
“The incident aboard the MAX train on May 26, 2017, left a deep wound in our community, a community that rejects hate, racism and violence in any form. The conviction won’t fully take away the pain inflicted on the families, friends and loved ones of the victims in the MAX attack, but the hope is that they find relief in the legal justice that was served today.”
Zakir Khan, spokesperson, the Oregon chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Oregon):
“We welcome the verdict in this case and hope that it leads to a new path for Oregon -- one in which we all see the importance of standing up to and defeating hate. The memories of Ricky Best and Taliesin Myrddin Namkai-Meche’s lives should remind us of the courage that we all must use to develop a new culture here in Oregon. That culture should be one in which we accept, love and believe in each other.”
Dyjuana Hudson, the mother of Destinee Mangum, one of the girls targeted by Christian on the train:
Hudson said outside the Multnomah County Courthouse that her daughter, Destinee Mangum, and her daughter’s friend, Walia Mohamed, the other girl on the train who was wearing the hijab, didn’t attend the verdict announcement. But Hudson had talked to them and said they were “very happy” at the jury’s decision.
“It’s been a long emotional ride. It’s been very emotional, very hard for them. I’m just glad to see I can go home and tell them that it’s OK now," Hudson said.
On testifying: “They were really just very emotional about it, just having to rehash it over and over as anyone would. They’re getting over it. They’re taking the steps necessary to heal properly. They’re doing better.”
Demetria Hester, the woman confronted by Christian the day before on another MAX train:
“It (the verdict) let people like Jeremy Joseph Christian know that you’re not going to get away with it. We do have people that care about all of us because black lives do matter. And the people that were killed, they did that out of love and protection."
She said the 12 unanimous votes on the charges against Christian show that white supremacism shouldn’t be tolerated. “That let us know that it’s time for a change,” she told reporters outside the Multnomah County Courthouse.
“Today will be the day we change things,” she said.
“This gave us hope ... yes there’s actually people out there that don’t want this to happen and want it to stop.”
Michael Fletcher, father of Micah Fletcher, who was the sole survivor of the stabbings:
“I feel justice has been served,” the elder Fletcher said of the unanimous verdict. He listened with his son as the judge read the jury’s decision in the courtroom and then spoke outside the Multnomah County Courthouse.
Fighting back tears, he continued: "I’d say the hardest part of the whole trial was hearing your son on the platform crying for help, and as a father you weren’t there.”
On Jeremy Christian: “He’ll stay in jail for the rest of his life, and that’s what I was hoping for.”
On how Micah Fletcher is doing: "My son is doing very well. He’s just trying to put his life back together and kind of move forward. And as you’ve seen in court he’s there for me, too.” (He was referring to a photo of his son embracing him in the courtroom during the trial.)
He also thanked the jurors: "every one one of them for the decisions they’ve made. I think they made the right decisions.”
Asha Deliverance, mother of Taliesin Namkai-Meche:
On Facebook, she posted:
"Thank you everyone for all the heartfelt words, we have a powerful community that has chosen love. I want to thank the Portland Courthouse for its amazing devotion to see this case through appropriately: Judge Cheryl Albrecht for her equanimity and discernment, the jury who sacrificed a month out of their lives to see justice, the prosecuting attorneys, Jeff Howes and Don Rees for their commitment and devotion to this monumental case, and their excellent execution, our family attorney Erin Olson for managing this case for the past 2.5 years with love and care, working pro bono the entire time, to the witnesses for acting with integrity and humanity on the train and for revisiting this traumatic event.
“I have restored faith in humanity! After witnessing the cohesive action taken by the passengers on the train to respond to a tragic event, and the devotion in the courtroom to justice, I realize that 99% of humanity is integral!”
Multnomah County District Attorney Rod Underhill:
“Our community continues to feel the profound impact from this violent and racist attack that happened more than two years ago. This verdict supports and upholds the state’s belief that Jeremy Joseph Christian acted intentionally when he committed these crimes. We thank the jurors for their dedication, diligence and swift deliverance of justice. While we are pleased with today’s verdict, we continue to focus our efforts toward helping the families of Ricky Best and Taliesin Namkai-Meche as well as Micah Fletcher, Demetria Hester, Wailo Mohamed, Destinee Mangum and Shawn Forde deal with the unimaginable and lasting trauma caused by Jeremy Joseph Christian.
"I am proud and very appreciative of First Assistant Jeff Howes and Chief Deputy District Attorney Don Rees who represented the State of Oregon and presented the jury with a comprehensive and clear presentation of evidence in their unwavering pursuit of justice. I also want to recognize Multnomah County Deputy District Attorneys Rachna Hajari and Ashly Crockett both of whom provided instrumental contributions and assistance throughout this case. I recognize our Victim Advocates Chanel Thomas, Julie Jacobs and Emily Hyde for the dedicated support and advocacy they have and will continue to provide the victims in this case. Finally, I recognize District Attorney Investigator Steve Ober and Senior Legal Assistant Tammy Ruffing for their assistance during the pendency of this case.”
Portland Police Chief Jami Resch:
"This horrific attack on members of our community has traumatically impacted the victims, their families, those who witnessed the events and provided emergency aid to the injured, our first responders who attempted to save the lives of those mortally wounded, our officers who apprehended the suspect and gathered witness accounts, and our investigators who spent countless hours building a case.
“While the criminal phase of this event has concluded, the deep impacts of the loss of lives for the families, friends, and our community will not be forgotten. Violence is not acceptable in the City of Portland. My hope is for us to come together as a community with more kindness and increased tolerance for differences as we continue our healing."
Portland Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty:
"Over the past several weeks, the Jeremy Christian trial has brought up a lot of trauma for those who witnessed the violence, family and friends of the victims, and those who have been on the receiving end of racism and hate. This trial was not just about him – it was about our justice system and how it tackles hate and racism, or doesn’t.
"While this sentence is a relief, it is not justice. Two lives were lost, and three additional lives have been radically altered since their encounter with Christian. A prison sentence will not change the fact that he is still a white supremacist, but it is currently the only system we have to address these acts of violence.
"Today’s verdict will have ramifications for years to come.
“May we all have the strength and courage of those who stood up to Christian that day. White supremacy and hate are not welcome here in Portland, and we all have a role to play in countering it every day.”
Sarah Iannarone, Portland mayoral candidate:
“Wishing enduring comfort for families and survivors who bore witness and testified through their pain, including Micah Fletcher. Gratitude for the hard work to everyone who served or reported on this difficult trial for our community.”
Lindsay Schubiner, program director for the Portland-based Western States Center:
"Christian’s claim of self-defense was an insult to the two women he victimized, the person he seriously injured and the memory of the two people he murdered. Video and eyewitness reports leave no doubt of Christian’s guilt. He was the aggressor, harassing and threatening his fellow riders while carrying a deadly weapon.
“Portland, not for the first time, has seen the deadly consequences of unchecked hate. We must remember the two people who gave their lives to defend another and come together as a community to reject hate and keep our community safe for everyone.”
-- Shane Dixon Kavanaugh and Everton Bailey Jr.