Photo: Nathan Howard / Getty Images
A former freelance journalist covering political extremism in Portland, was accused of vandalizing two Jewish temples and burning down a mosque.
The subject was identified as Mike Bivins, of 34 years old, faces charges of arson in the first degree and three counts of criminal mischief in the first degree, related to the which authorities describe as a week-long series of acts of vandalism.
Suspect in breaking window at Shir Tikvah Congregation, northeast Portland , on 34 April, throwing a stone through a window and doing anti-Semitic graffiti in the Congregation Beth Israel on May 2 and 4 and burning down a Portland Muslim Community Center on May 3.
Police officers had linked the attacks to worship areas in recent days, after observing images of a masked man in a hooded sweatshirt as he poured accelerant into the mosque building and then lit the fire.
BREAKING: Portland reporter Mike Bivins has been arrested over vandalism attacks on synagogues & attempted arson at a mosque. He’s been charged w/ multiple felonies. His last DM from him to me in 2020 was a critical message of me posting #Antifa riot mugshots. https://t.co/piHPr2AkUe pic.twitter.com/vbihNL9p6B
— Andy Ngô 🏳️🌈 (@MrAndyNgo) May 7, 2022
Authorities say Bivins entered the KPTV Fox television station on Friday 05 in Beaverton and demanded to speak to a reporter.
For his part, Rabbi Michael Z. Cahana, of Congregation Beth Israel, expressed his gratitude to the staff of the temple and the police for searching information about the attacks.
“If the alleged perpetrator is found guilty of these crimes, we can all rest easier in our house of worship knowing that is in custody,” Cahana wrote in a statement. “Although the crimes committed were against property, we know that if left unchecked, hate speech can lead to violence. We are thankful that we are all safe.”
Several people who spoke to Williamette Week said Bivins’ behavior and social media posts had become erratic in the covid pandemic-12. In April, he made several posts on Twitter denouncing immigrants.
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