American Pakistan Public Affairs Committee (APPAC) Supports Heroes of Portland, Shares Information on How Bystanders Can Safely Intervene

BROOKLYN, N.Y., June 2, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Last Friday, as the world now knows, three heroes stepped up to stop the racist and anti-Muslim harassment of two young women on a light rail train in Portland, Oregon. Two of these Good Samaritans — Ricky John Best and Taliesin Myrddin Namkai-Meche — lost their lives when the perpetrator viciously turned on them; the third, Micah David-Cole Fletcher, was seriously injured and hospitalized.

Pakistani Americans and Our Allies Respond

To honor the Heroes of Portland and raise money for their families, the American Pakistan Public Affairs Committee (APPAC) has created a Go Fund Me site, https://www.gofundme.com/appacforbravetrio, where donations are welcome from all and so far has raised $11,000.

Learn the Steps to Safely Stop Harassment

APPAC is also sharing information about ways that bystanders and Good Samaritans can safely intervene to stop any harassment they may witness. Two organizations, Hollaback and Green Dot, have created a plan for safe intervention that includes five options for action ("the 5 D's"): Direct, Distract, Delegate, Delay, and Document. Learn more about these proven options for staying safe while interrupting harassment at https://www.ihollaback.org/resources/bystander-resources/

Honor the Heroes of Portland by Fighting Hate

Just days before Memorial Day — when America honors the brave military men and women who fight and die to keep this country free — three brave men put their lives on the line to defend the humanity of strangers. Their courage and the price that they paid, remind us that the struggle for freedom does not just occur in military combat. Freedom must always be guarded here at home, and we honor Heroes of Portland by working to combat a climate of increasing hatred, bigotry, and violence.

Media Contact:
Ijaz Ahmad
[email protected] 
347-770-8027

SOURCE American Pakistani Public Affairs Committee