Wisconsin Politician Apologizes for Police Call on Anti-Israel Protest

A left-leaning politician aiming for the governorship in Wisconsin has expressed regret over contacting law enforcement about an anti-Israel demonstration that some voters labeled as anti-Semitic.

Francesca Hong, a Democratic Socialist and passionate advocate for the “Defund the Police” movement, called 911 twice concerning an Israeli flag that had been covered in red paint, displayed at the end of 2023.

This incident seems to represent her latest pushback against the loud anti-Israel sentiments within parts of the democratic socialist community.

Over the past two years, Hong has consistently criticized Israel, and she has collaborated with Hasan Pikar, a far-left streamer known for his extreme views against the Jewish state.

As part of her apology, she also introduced a resolution advocating for a ceasefire in Gaza, alongside a bill that would repeal a law barring state and local entities from participating in boycotts against Israel.

During the 2024 election period, she was one of several legislators who sought to disrupt former President Joe Biden’s primary efforts in key states, pushing nearly 50,000 voters to cast their ballots “without instruction” as a form of protest against his response to the Gaza conflict.

The 37-year-old Hong opposed a 2016 bill from the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance that defined “anti-Semitism” for assessing whether violence and other offenses are driven by anti-Semitic motives.

Her constituency includes affluent white neighborhoods within Madison, the capital of Wisconsin and its largest college town.

Reflecting on past events, Hong noted, “Three years ago, there was protest art at an encampment in Madison that was photographed and shared online. My constituents expressed feelings of being threatened and advised me against sharing on social media, but the images were misconstrued to depict anti-Zionism as anti-Semitism. I take that distinction seriously,” she stated.

“Given concerns for their safety and my limited information, I did something I regret. I reached out to the police for an investigation. In hindsight, that was a mistake; the images circulating on social media were intentionally misleading,” she acknowledged.

“I believe in freedom of speech. I support a free Palestine. The atrocities in Gaza and the ongoing colonization of the West Bank need to cease.”

The installation, which sparked the controversy, was created by activist Jesse Ransom as part of a protest urging Senator Tammy Baldwin to advocate for a ceasefire after Israel declared war on Hamas post the October 7, 2023, attacks.

During her initial call to police, Hong reportedly expressed, “Since I’m not at the scene, I’m thinking of the quickest way to remove it,” according to media reports.

The dispatcher informed her that officers would look into it but added some uncertainty about the legality of removing the display.

In a second phone call, Hong described the demonstrations as “pretty disturbing and unpleasant,” claiming to have received numerous calls from concerned constituents.

About an hour and a half later, law enforcement removed the display, prompting Ransom to file a complaint for what he viewed as unlawful property seizure and a violation of his First Amendment rights.

Later on, he confronted Hong at a campaign event, demanding a public apology and her resignation in a letter sent to the local newspaper.

Hong insisted she was unaware the exhibit included a “ceasefire now” sign, stating that an election staffer who sent her a photo of the display was “very upset” about the situation.

When Ransom explained the protest’s intent to Hong, she responded, “I regret calling the police. I regret calling the police.”