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We Choose Love

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Coordinates: 45°31′59.3″N 122°37′13.6″W / 45.533139°N 122.620444°W / 45.533139; -122.620444
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We Choose Love
The mural in 2021
Map
ArtistSarah Farahat
LocationPortland, Oregon, U.S.
Coordinates45°31′59.3″N 122°37′13.6″W / 45.533139°N 122.620444°W / 45.533139; -122.620444

We Choose Love was a memorial to the 2017 Portland train attack, located at the Hollywood/Northeast 42nd Avenue Transit Center in Northeast Portland, Oregon. TriMet commissioned the memorial in the aftermath of the May 2017 attack, selecting a design by Sarah Farahat in a contest. We Choose Love was completed in May 2018, and was in place until January 2024.[1]

History

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Vigil commemorating victims of the 2017 Portland train attack, showing chalk messages on the gray concrete ramp in the background

On November 9, 2017, TriMet asked artists to propose "text-based" designs for a mural commemorating Ricky Best and Taliesin Myrddin Namkai-Meche, who were killed in the 2017 Portland train attack. The mural was painted along the ramp walls of the Hollywood/Northeast 42nd Avenue Transit Center.[2] Submissions were due by November 29, and artists were determined by December 5. Concepts were due in January 2018, and final design plans are to be confirmed in late February or early March. Work on the "Tribute Wall" began on April 20,[3][4][5] and was scheduled to be completed by May 12, 2018.[2]

Text about the mural on display

Sarah Farahat's design was selected by TriMet's tribute advisory committee from four finalists,[6] all of whom drew inspiration from chalk messages left by people following the attack. Farahat's design includes sunflowers and an excerpt from Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish's poem, "Mural".[7] TriMet has confirmed plans to unveil a plaque on May 26, the anniversary of the attack. Farahat's design, We Choose Love, was completed in summer 2018.[8] John Laursen was commissioned to create the plaque, which will be made of porcelain enamel and steel, and feature both images and text.[7] In addition to Best and Namkai-Meche, the plaque will commemorate three other victims from the attack.[6]

According to TriMet, the memorial honors Best and Namkai-Meche, "as well as recognize the courage of those who were targeted by and stood up to hatred and violence".[6]

References

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  1. ^ Ramakrishnan, Jayati (2024-01-10). "Memorial to 2017 MAX stabbings dismantled as construction begins on affordable housing, transit center revamp". The Oregonian. Retrieved 2024-06-01.
  2. ^ a b "'Tribute Wall' Will Honor Victims of Deadly Portland Train Attack". Oregon Public Broadcasting. November 11, 2017. Archived from the original on April 22, 2018. Retrieved February 4, 2018.
  3. ^ "Artist begins work on Hollywood Transit Center mural". Portland Tribune. April 20, 2018. Archived from the original on 2018-08-18. Retrieved 2021-04-20.
  4. ^ Tilkin, Dan (2018-04-20). "Artists start work on Hollywood MAX attack tribute". KOIN. Archived from the original on 2018-04-21. Retrieved 2018-04-21.
  5. ^ "Transformation of Hollywood Transit Center walls gets under way". TriMet News. 2018-04-20. Archived from the original on 2018-04-22. Retrieved 2018-04-21.
  6. ^ a b c Barr, Max (February 1, 2018). "TriMet selects design for tribute wall honoring MAX attack victims". KGW. Archived from the original on February 3, 2018. Retrieved February 4, 2018.
  7. ^ a b Njus, Elliot (February 1, 2018). "Artist selected to create MAX attack memorial at Hollywood Transit Center". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on February 5, 2018. Retrieved February 4, 2018.
  8. ^ "One year later, memorial dedicated to victims of MAX attack". KGW. Archived from the original on 2018-11-25. Retrieved 2018-11-24.
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