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Attack on pagan bookstore – arson under investigation

Theo

PORTLAND – Authorities are investigating an arson incident after a Pride exhibit was set ablaze at a metaphysical bookstore in Portland on June 23, 2024. Dark Star Magick Bookstore reported on social media that the fire was specifically targeted at a Pride exhibit. Police and fire officials are currently investigating the case and treating it as an arson investigation.

In an Instagram post the morning of the attack, Dark Star Magick Bookstore wrote: “In yet another hate crime against our store, someone came by around 4:30 this morning, smashed a window, and attempted to set fire to our Pride display.” Firefighters arrived promptly and were able to prevent the fire from spreading further.

Dark Star Magick also added, “We are grateful for the incredible support we have always received from the Portland community and this act of hate is not in keeping with the wonderful people of Portland. We will recover and move on!”

The Wild Hunt contacted Steve Kinchen, owner of Dark Star Magick, who told us, “We reopened the shop and were never actually closed. This all happened on Monday morning, and we were closed that day anyway. We cleaned everything up enough to open the next day, but there is still a bit of a smoke smell. As I tell my customers, that’s the smell of books burning – never forget what that smells like!”

The books displayed in the shop window all dealt with the interface between paganism and witchcraft. A book, Satyr’s Kiss: Queer Men, Sex Magic & Modernityis by TWH columnist Storm Faerywolf. The book is pictured along with others partially burned.

Kinchen added: “We are 99% sure this is the same person who smashed our windows in January and then a week later did the same thing to another metaphysical shop nearby that Q.Meb“He wore the same jacket during all the attacks.”

Kinchen also stressed that the attack was a hate crime. “It was definitely a hate crime and is being investigated as such. The target was our Pride display in the window,” he said. “We are certain it was the same person who attacked our store and another in January. Those are hate crimes too. Recently, I was told that neo-Nazis were putting up anti-Pride flyers in the area, although I did not see any myself.”

Dark Star Magick is now open, but the reality of the attack remains. Kinchen said the store is back to “more or less normal.” He said the store had to increase security and add more security cameras. The broken window was replaced today. In the meantime, the window was boarded up and “HATE FREE ZONE” was written on the wooden boards.


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Kinchen said: “All in all, these are just things that can be replaced. The terrible thing about this crime is that this person risked the lives and safety of everyone in an attempt to burn a handful of books.”

The Dark Star Magick Store is located underneath a residential building.

“We were very fortunate that the fire department was able to contain the damage quickly. However, we are proceeding with the utmost caution and would be grateful for any information regarding the identity of this person,” Kinchen noted.

Kinchen emphasized the intersection between the Pagan community and the Pride celebration. “My message to the Pagan community is to always stand strong in the face of bigotry and persecution. We always say ‘No more burning,’ but forget that this idea takes many forms, like the Satan fear that began in the ’80s and continues in some forms to this day.”

Dark Star Magick is online and can be followed on Instagram @darkstarmagick.

“We as a community (and this applies to ALL communities) should never have to go underground and hide who we are. Every person is a star and deserves to shine as brightly as they can!”

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