Portland State University community members will hold a fundraiser tomorrow for Aaron Salazar, a gay PSU student who was brutally injured while riding Amtrak from Colorado to Portland.
Salazar was found near the Amtrak rails near Truckee, California, on May 15, severely bruised, burned, and unconscious. Salazar has been in a coma at a Reno, Nevada hospital since the incident, and Amtrak maintains that his injuries—including severe burns to the groin area and damage to the brainstem—are from a suicide attempt. His parents believe it was a hate crime, and have blamed Amtrak for perpetuating a “smear campaign” about their son. According to his family, his doctor has said his injuries are consistent with a beating.
The Justice for Aaron fundraiser will take place on Saturday, June 2, from 8:30 am to 2 pm near the Smith Memorial Student Union. All funds will go towards Salazar’s medical expenses.
Those who can’t attend the PSU fundraiser can donate to a GoFundMe set up to pay for his medical costs.