Did Milwaukee Jewish Federation ask State Senators to Violate Open Meetings Law?

We received a tip today that the pro-genocide Milwaukee Jewish Federation held a private meeting in the state capitol with State Senators about the legislation that labels criticism of Israel as antisemitism. This legislation was written by ALEC to defend Israel, but also serves Trump’s fascist attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion by weaponizing false claims of antisemitism to silence speech. A copy of the meeting invite is at the end of this article. 

Many antiracist and civil liberties groups have been organizing pressure on Tony Evers to veto the legislation if it passes. Recently, more than forty such groups from across the state signed on to a letter demanding its veto. You can join these efforts by calling Governor Evers’ Milwaukee Office: (414) 227-4344.

Questions for State Senators

Milwaukee Beagle has sent all Wisconsin Democratic State Senators the following questions about this meeting, which potentially (depending on how many attended) violates Wisconsin’s open meetings law, explained more clearly, here. We will share responses and updates as the situation develops [UPDATE: Sen Roy’s office replied, assuring us that she has opposed the legislation from the start, and sent staff to hear their arguments.] 

Our questions:

Did you receive an invitation to attend any private meeting with the Milwaukee Jewish Federation (see copy of the invite below)?

Do you know how the private meeting in the state capitol was arranged or authorized?

Did you attend that meeting? 

Did you send staff to attend that meeting?

Can you tell us which other Senators attended or sent staff? 

What was discussed at the meeting?

Will you vote for or against this ALEC-authored, fascism-enabling legislation?

Milwaukee Jewish Federation’s invitation

Dear Senators,

We would like to extend an invitation to you and your staff to attend a private in-person briefing on the sharp increase of antisemitism in Wisconsin and Senate Bill 445, relating to the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism.

We will be in Room 330SW at 11:00 am on March 12th.

We will be joined by international experts, Rabbi Andrew Baker, Director of International Jewish Affairs, American Jewish Committee; Mark Rotenberg, Senior Vice President & General Counsel, Hillel International; and Alyza Lewin, President, Combat Antisemitism Movement US Affairs.

Attached please find a letter signed by over 400 members of the Jewish community.

Please let us know if you and/or your staff will attend by confirming to Roberta S. Clark, JCRC Executive Director, robertac@milwaukeejewish.org or 414-390-5736. We ask that this email not be forwarded to anyone not part of your respective staff team as this will be a private in-person briefing.

Thank you for your consideration.

With appreciation,

Miryam Rosenzweig

President and CEO

Milwaukee Jewish Federation