Police make arrest in Bronson campaign sign ‘Free Palestine’ vandalism

Anchorage Police have made an arrest in connection with the vandalism of Bronson for Mayor campaign signs this year.

On April 25, detectives charged 27-year-old Amanda M. Pineda with Criminal Mischief III, Improper use of Plates, and Filing a False Police Report. Pineda has been given a court date of May 17, and is out of jail on supervised release. Charges include a Class C Felony.

On March 12, Anchorage Police Department received a report that approximately 30 “Bronson for Mayor” campaign signs had been vandalized with words associated with anti-Israel, pro-Hamas sentiments such as “Genocide” and “Free Palestine.” Through the subsequent investigation conducted by detectives, it was apparent a citizen had not only witnessed some of the vandalism, but had captured a photo of a Toyota RAV4 being driven by the suspect; the license plate was also recorded.

At some point after the vandalism had taken place, and after the license plate was revealed on social media and on Must Read Alaska, the owner of the suspect plate reported that license plate as stolen to APD.

It was later discovered the plate had not been stolen. The plate, which was registered to a Dodge owned by the suspect, had actually been removed from the Dodge and placed onto the RAV4 which was also owned by the Pineda. An old out-of-state license plate was then mounted onto the Dodge.

Over 50% of the vandalized signs were sprayed with anti-Israel, pro-Hamas words, such as “Genocide” and “Free Palestine.” Mayor Bronson is a strong supporter of the right of Israel to exist peacefully.

Other signs label Bronson as the “worst” mayor and with associated vulgarities.

Pineda has a social media history that indicates she has a leftist political point of view. Her social media history has since been scrubbed.

Must Read Alaska had the name of Pineda in March, but did not publish it then, as she was only a person of interest.

In March, the Bronson campaign said of the vandalism, “These acts of destruction not only damage private property, but undermine the democratic values that Anchorage voters expect and deserve. The vandalism, which targeted signs across Anchorage and made multiple pro-Hamas comments, is not just an attack on Dave Bronson’s campaign but an affront to the principles of free speech and fair play essential to any election. At a time when political discourse can become heated, all parties and their supporters must recommit to conducting themselves with respect and focusing on issues important to citizens.”

The Anchorage Police never notified the Bronson campaign that the suspected perpetrator had been arrested.