Boston launches poster campaign to combat Islamophobia

Boston has launched a new public service campaign to fight Islamophobia by offering the public ways to address aggression toward others because of their appearance or beliefs.

The campaign launched Monday involves 50 posters that provide a step-by-step guide to handling when someone is being harassed. They will be posted on bus stop benches and other public places around the city.

Titled "What to do if you are witnessing Islamophobic harassment," the posters encourage people to engage with the person who is being targeted and to draw attention away from the harasser. The technique is called "non-complementary behavior," and is intended to disempower an aggressive person by countering their expectations.

A suspect accused of fatally stabbing two people on a train in Oregon, after they intervened in his alleged anti-Muslim rant, has appeared in court.

Jeremy Joseph Christian, 35, is charged with murder, attempted murder, possession of a weapon and intimidation.
During his brief appearance, he shouted slogans such as: “You call it terrorism. I call it patriotism.”

He could also be heard shouting “Death to the enemies of America”.

“Leave this country if you hate our freedom - death to antifa,” he said, using a common abbreviation for the anti-fascist movement.
He did not enter a plea to the charges and is due to appear in court again on 7 June.

President Donald Trump has tweeted that last week’s attack was “unacceptable”.

Portland’s mayor is meanwhile trying to ban a forthcoming right-wing rally in the West Coast city.

Media captionPortland victim: ‘Without them we would be dead’

The attack unfolded on Friday afternoon after the suspect began spewing “hate speech” towards two young women on a train, police said.

Taliesin Namkai-Meche, 23, and Ricky Best, 53, intervened and were fatally stabbed at the Hollywood Transit Center train station, said investigators.

Another man, Micah David-Cole Fletcher, was slashed in the neck and is recovering. He was in court on Tuesday to see Jeremy Joseph Christian’s appearance.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-40096993

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