The suspect, Stephen Spencer Pittman, confessed to setting fire to Beth Israel Congregation in Jackson, Mississippi, citing its “Jewish ties” as the reason, according to the FBI. Pittman, who was found to have set the fire with gasoline, was charged with maliciously damaging or destroying a building by means of fire. Authorities used Pittman’s phone data and text messages to his father, where he admitted to the arson and included pictures of the synagogue, to help determine his movements before the fire. If convicted, Pittman faces a sentence of five to twenty years in prison.
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An 18-year-old has been charged with performing Nazi salutes at two Canberra shopping centers and placing “propaganda-style stickers” in public spaces. The individual is also facing charges of trespassing at the Australian National University and damaging commonwealth property. A search warrant executed at his residence resulted in the seizure of electronic devices and other items. Authorities emphasized that antisemitism is not tolerated and the actions caused pain and anguish. The AFP’s counter-terrorism team, established to address threats to social cohesion, is investigating.
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A suspect in California targeted a Jewish family’s home, firing approximately twenty bullets while shouting antisemitic slurs. Security footage captured the suspect yelling “F*** the Jews” as the attack unfolded. The incident occurred at a residence decorated for Hanukkah. Law enforcement is currently investigating the shooting as a hate crime.
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The White House renovation project, originally touted as a minor undertaking, has expanded significantly, with costs escalating from an initial estimate of $200 million to $300 million. This project has become a means for wealthy individuals and corporations to curry favor with the Trump administration. Simultaneously, the former president has focused on altering American landmarks, redecorating the Oval Office, modifying the Rose Garden, and expressing intent to “fix” the Reflecting Pool.
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A memorial honoring Transgender Day of Remembrance on Boston Common, consisting of 425 flags, was deliberately removed this week, prompting LGBTQ advocates to call for a hate crime investigation. The flags, planted to honor transgender individuals lost to violence since 2020, were taken down shortly after being placed. The Queer Neighborhood Council, a local advocacy group, condemned the act and emphasized the prevalence of anti-trans hate within the community. The incident occurred during Transgender Awareness Week, and organizers are now considering options for the future.
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A Texas grand jury has indicted Sigfredo Ceja Alvarez on a murder charge for the killing of actor Jonathan Joss. The investigation has not yet determined if Joss’s sexual orientation played a role in the shooting, and whether it will be considered a hate crime remains unclear. Police allege Alvarez confronted Joss and his husband before the shooting, with Joss’s husband claiming the shooter used homophobic slurs. Alvarez’s attorneys have not commented, but one previously stated their client’s innocence.
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This case, concerning alleged antisemitism, was adjourned this Tuesday and will resume on December 9th. The lawyers from the Bobigny bar association have suspended their criminal court duty in response to serious issues that occurred on October 29th. The core of their protest stems from allegations that two police officers are accused of aggravated rape against a woman detained in a holding cell.
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The U.S. Supreme Court upheld the first-degree murder conviction and death sentence of Richard R. Laird for the 1987 killing of Anthony Milano, a case noted for being the first instance of capital punishment for a murder motivated by anti-gay bias. Laird and his co-conspirator attacked Milano after hurling anti-gay slurs, eventually beating him to death. Despite several appeals over the years citing ineffective counsel, a 2007 retrial reaffirmed his guilt and death sentence, which was later upheld by the state Supreme Court. While the Supreme Court’s decision validates the conviction, Laird’s execution is unlikely due to Pennsylvania’s moratorium on executions, enacted in 2015 and extended by the current governor.
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On Yom Kippur, a terrorist, identified as Jihad Al-Shamie, launched an attack at a synagogue in Manchester, killing two people and injuring three others. The attacker, who rammed a car into the synagogue grounds and then stabbed worshippers, was shot dead by police who initially feared he had an explosive device. Following the attack, three other individuals were arrested on suspicion of terrorism-related offenses, and authorities announced increased security measures for Jewish communities. The attack has drawn widespread condemnation, and the investigation is being led by counter-terrorism police.
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Four individuals, including three teenagers, have been arrested in Renton, Washington, and are facing hate crime charges related to the assault of a transgender woman. The suspects reportedly argued with the 39-year-old victim before later attacking her, using homophobic slurs and causing serious injuries. The attack, captured on video, involved the victim being chased, knocked to the ground, punched, and kicked. Two teen suspects were arrested near the scene, a third was arrested later, and the fourth suspect, 25-year-old Ramodre Edwards, surrendered to police after being identified from surveillance footage.
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John Q. Hosedrinker