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‘Brave and selfless’ men murdered trying to protect Muslim women being harassed on tram

Two men were killed after intervening in racist abuse aimed at Muslim women at a tram station in Portland, Oregon - The Oregonian
Two men were killed after intervening in racist abuse aimed at Muslim women at a tram station in Portland, Oregon - The Oregonian

Two men were killed and another injured after trying to protect Muslim women from being harassed on a tram in Oregon, triggering calls for Donald Trump to speak out against racism.

A man armed with a knife hurled racial abuse at two women at the Hollywood Transit tram station in Portland on Friday before he fatally stabbed two of the three men who tried to intervene.

Jeremy Joseph Christian, 35, of Portland, was charged on Saturday by police for aggravated murder, second-degree intimidation, attempted aggravated murder and being a felon in possession of a restricted firearm.

“President Trump must speak out personally against the rising tide of Islamophobia and other forms of bigotry and racism in our nation,” said Nihad Awad, national executive director of the Council on American-Islamic relations.

“Only a strong statement from the nation’s leader will send a message to bigots that such acts of violence targeting racial, ethnic or religious minorities are unacceptable,” he added.

Two men were killed after intervening in racist abuse aimed at Muslim women at a tram station in Portland, Oregon. - Credit: Jim Ryan, The Oregonian/AP
Police have now charged Jeremy Joseph Christian, from Portland, with the deadly attack Credit: Jim Ryan, The Oregonian/AP

Witnesses say that the assailant had been ranting about many topics but then targeted his tirade at the two women, one of whom was wearing a hijab.

The three men who tried to interrupt the verbal abuse and calm Mr Christian down were then stabbed. One died at the scene and another died at hospital. The third man was taken to hospital but was not said to have life-threatening injuries.

"In the midst of his ranting and raving, some people approached him and appeared to try to intervene with his behaviour and some of the people that he was yelling at," police sergeant Pete Simpson told The Oregonian. "They were attacked viciously by the suspect."

"It's horrific," Sgt Simpson added. "There's no other word to describe what happened today."

Portland’s mayor, Ted Wheeler, said: “Two men lost their lives and another was injured for doing the right thing, standing up for people they didn’t know against hatred. Their actions were brave and selfless, and should serve as an example and inspiration to us all. They are heroes.”

The two women subjected to the hate speech fled the scene before any officers arrived, but police have asked for them to get in touch.

Mr Christian has been denied bail and is expected to appear before Multnomah County Court on Monday.