Portland police are investigating a social media post claiming responsibility for an arson fire last week that burned 17 Police Bureau cars. Police originally said 15 cars were burned in the fire last Thursday but increased that number by two Monday as their investigation continues.
Also Monday, a group calling itself “Rachel Corrie’s Ghost Brigade” said people had cut through a fence at the bureau’s training facility and set 10 fires in anticipation of a police response at Portland State University’s Millar Library.
Pro-Palestinian demonstrators had occupied the library for three days and the university administration asked city police to intervene. Police on Friday arrested 12 people, including four students, after the initial sweep.
Police said in an email that they are “aware of the online post claiming responsibility and that is part of the investigation.”
The bureau wouldn’t confirm whether they’ve heard of a group calling itself “Rachel Corrie’s Ghost Brigade” or whether its claims have any merit.
“The investigation into this online incident is open and active,” police spokesperson Mike Benner said in an email. “Detectives do not want to jeopardize the integrity of the investigation.”
“Raid them before they raid you,” the group’s post said on the website Rose City Counter-Info. The website allows people to publish posts anonymously. The website was used earlier this year by people who claimed they set a car on fire outside Portland City Commissioner Rene Gonzalez’s house.
Rachel Corrie was an American activist from Olympia, Washington, who died in 2003 while protesting the Israeli Army’s destruction of Palestinian houses in Gaza. She was crushed by an Israeli bulldozer and died.