Lithia Park memorial considered for Ashland hero Taliesin Myrddin Namkai-Meche
Jan. 7—Ashland native Taliesin Myrddin Namkai-Meche, who was killed while defending two women from a white supremacist in 2017 on a Portland MAX train, may be honored with a memorial to his memory in Lithia Park.
Ashland Parks and Recreation Commission will vote Wednesday, Jan. 11, on whether to approve a Lithia Park memorial project called "We Choose Love."
The memorial would feature a bench made from a redwood slab, 10 feet long and 4 feet wide, and would sit between two existing redwood trees up the path from the Japanese Garden, between Windburn Way and Granite Street across the street from the pickleball courts.
The proposal was recommended for approval Nov. 29 by the Parks, Conservation and Maintenance Subcommittee.
The slab would be supported by temporary posts while the trees grow into the memorial, but eventually it should become a natural bridge between the two trees, according to a description included in APRC meeting materials.
Alex Landt, who described himself as Namkai-Meche's best friend, will make the memorial by hand. The proposed memorial would be provided to the city without cost.
"Taliesin Myrddin Namkai-Meche is a local hero and represents the spirit of true kindness. Working together to honor his legacy with an exchange of funds feels fitting," the proposal said.
"His father kissed me for the very first time underneath those trees, but they didn't know that when they chose that spot," said Asha Deliverance, Namkai-Meche's mother.
Namkai-Meche was killed the first day of Ramadan. One of the two women who was being harassed was wearing a hijab, the other was Black. Namkai-Meche was on the phone with his aunt as he rode the red Max line through Portland when he heard Jeremy Christian shouting into the women's faces that Muslims deserved to die, according to earlier news reports.
Namkai-Meche and two other MAX passengers, Ricky John Best and Micah Fletcher, stepped between Christian and the women to stop the abuse. Christian stabbed all three. Only Fletcher survived, according to a recent Oregonian article about Christian's two life sentences with no possibility of parole.
After the attack, Namkai-Meche collapsed and told a fellow passenger, Rachel Macy, he knew he was going to die. She told him to lie down and pulled off her tank top to staunch his bleeding and comforted him, according to an earlier article.
"You're not alone," she told him. "We're here. What you did was total kindness. You're such a beautiful man. I'm sorry the world is so cruel," she reportedly said.
"Tell everyone on this train I love them," Namkai-Meche said. They were his last words.
The Lithia Park Memorial proposal would not include a plaque, but would have Namkai-Meche's final words carved into the redwood slab.
The parks and recreation meeting can be attended in person at 6 p.m., Jan. 11, in Ashland City Council Chambers, 1175 E. Main St., Ashland, or streamed via rvtv.sou.edu.
Those hoping to contribute to the meeting either can provide oral testimony in council chambers or email a written statement to sean.sullivan@ashland.or.us. with "Public Testimony" as the subject line.
Reach Mail Tribune reporter Morgan Rothborne at mrothborne@rosebudmedia.com or 541-776-4487. Follow her on Twitter @MRothborne.
