If you've read anything about Micah David-Cole Fletcher, the survivor of last Friday's stabbing on a MAX train near the Hollywood Transit Center, you likely know that he's a poet. And poets know how to take care of their own. So it's fitting that fellow Portland poet Josh Lubin has already arranged a benefit reading in support of Fletcher, to take place at Jack London Revue on Monday, June 5 at 7 pm. The reading will honor Fletcher and fellow victims Taliesin Myrddin Namkai Meche and Rick Best, the two men who were killed in the attack Fletcher survived, after coming to the aid of two women of color who were being harassed by the alleged attacker, known white supremacist Jeremy Christian.
This benefit is one of many that've cropped up following the attacks. It'll have a suggested donation of $5-10 at the door, but the Facebook event page specifies that no one will be turned away for lack of funds. The lineup's already been announced, with performances from Michael Crenshaw, Brian Stephen Ellis, John Beer, Kate Jayroe, Stephanie Adams-Santos, Rob Gray, Sean Aaron Bowers, Dao Strom, Neil Aitken, and Robyn Bateman.
You can find more information about the event here.
Lubin's a longtime poetry organizer in Portland, and his shows tend to be welcoming and no-frills. It's good to see the city's literary community showing up for one of its own—and an extension of the public acts of compassion and support we've seen since Friday. I'll be attending. I suggest you do the same.
UPDATE: Lubin tells me a second benefit reading is already scheduled for Sunday, June 11 at the Lombard Pub (3416 N Lombard) at the same time with the same donation scale as next week's event. That lineup is TBD, but will include Robert Lashley, who's traveling all the way from Bellingham, WA to read.