A Facebook post by Attorney Ann Jacobs made sharable address the possibility that Milwaukee Alderman Jonathan Brostoff might have been pushed over the edge by a combination of bullying, antisemitic acts and possibility an organized effort by a group of individuals not directly named who allegedly bullied Brostoff for his support of Isreal.
By H. Nelson Goodson
Hispanic News Network U.S.A.
November 9, 2024
Milwaukee, Wisconsin - On Sunday, the Shepherd Express came out with a City Confidential category list of disdained politicians in which, Milwaukee Alderman Jonathan Brostoff, 41, was listed among three others in the category of "Most Despised Politicians" that also included State Representative and Speaker of the Wisconsin State Assembly Robin Vos (R), State Representative Robert "Bob" Donovan (R), and U.S. Senator Ron Johnson (R). The Shepherd Express has since pulled the link from the internet.
Attorney Ann Jacobs posted in her Facebook (FB) account, "Sunday night, the Shepherd Express posted its "most despised politicians" and it included Robin Vos, Ron Johnson, and JONATHAN BROSTOFF. Jonathan was repeatedly attacked for his support for Israel and the absurdity of equating him with Vos & Johnson demonstrates the level of antsemitism directed at him. And there were many others who fomented this who today are suddenly bereft, refusing to acknowledge the hate they participated in." (FB link:
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/15HYCrcvDf/)
After Jacobs post on FB, individuals including Vos, politicians and who's Who in the Milwaukee metro area began to respond and post their opinions on who was behind Brostoff's personal attacks that allegedly included bullying, hypocrisy, and the antisemitic hate towards Brostoff, from some of his so called friends that he was instrumental in getting elected into public office, but then isolated Brostoff and his family for the last 18 months, simply because Brostoff, as being Jewish himself stood and supported Israel to his final day in life.
Robin Vos posted in Jacob's FB comment thread, "How about saying no one in an elected office, regardless of party, should be despised? Jonathan certainly didn't deserve the bullying. It's hateful rhetoric against any elected official that fuels the rise of things like antisemitism, sexism etc. Perhaps the people commenting should consider that as well..."
Ann Jacobs responded to Vos, "Robin Vos how about we focus on the substance of my post? Jonathan was targeted for his support for Israel and Jews around the world."
Lana Holman posted, "Robin Vos Because you were so kind to Jonathan when he was in the State Assembly? You were a terrible bully and you are a dingus. The only thing I can say is that you haven't been an obvious antisemite...(to Susan G. Berna) I am completely disgusted in Ryan Clancy for this. Jonathan was very upset with him. Everyone knows Ryan is a grand standing weirdo that will take his few minutes of fame while wearing a Kefiyah. Chris Larsen is not a friend and treated Jonathan poorly this year by NOT standing up for his friend."
Darryl Morin posted, "I am so disappointed in the Shepherd Express . Jonathan was the champion on so many progressive issues and so many turned on him so vehemently forgetting all the personal sacrifices he made for the progressive movement. Jonathan will always be who I think of when I think of a good, decent, empathetic and compassionate public servant. These traits were an extension of his strong Jewish faith...agreed and it is despicable...While the Shepard Express never should have have run it, the real haters are the ones who put in the time and effort to have people target Jonathan. These types of efforts further diminish their credibility."
Jan Wilberg, "Darryl Morin And where is their moral accountability? Or political accountability? Is there any reckoning at all? It's sickening beyond words."
Sylvia Ortiz-Velez posted,
"I could think of a few folks that fit the bill. People who stood by and remained silent and did nothing to stop certain people from bullying him. They justify their actions by saying I didn't bully him. No you stood by and watched your friends Harass and bully him and you did nothing , your just as guilty in my book!"
Susan G. Berna posted, "DSA and Chris Larson and Ryan Clancy need to answer Why they allowed Ron Jansen to organize this hit job and destroy a man!!"
Christine Sinicki posted, "This is exactly what I suspected. He was harassed and stalked by this group. Jonathan took pride in the work he did, he was probably one of the kindest empathic people I've ever known."
Victor Huyke posted, "The more i learn about this, the more I'm disappointed by the actions of these people who had the audacity to call themselves Jonathan's friend. I had no idea that he was being harassed for more than a year."
Amy Waldman posted, "Here you go, Ann. He was absolutely bullied to death, and there are people who will read this and know who they are, the part they played in robbing four little kids the ability to grow up knowing their father directly instead of through stories, and leaving a bereft and beloved spouse alone to raise those four little kids. They get to live with themselves. Oh, and don't think the Shepherd gets a pass for deleting that link. It's still out there in the print edition."
James McNulty posted, "Rep Ryan Clancy literally killed him. Sen Chris Larson is now pretending to have lost a friend. Meanwhile he campaigned for Clancy's re-election while this harassment was going on."
Aliza Rachel posted, "James McNulty a screenshot of a Facebook post isn’t a fact. The fact is you are a right wing professional Facebook troll. You do not care about Jonathon, you want to harm Clancy. That’s not what we’re doing here. Please go."
During Friday's funeral services for Alderman Brostoff, Diana Vang Brostoff, his wife in a full attendance of individuals that showed up to celebrate Brostoff's life and to give their Rest in Peace respects to Brostoff, Vang Brostoff confirmed that she and Alderman Brostoff had been isolated for at least 18 months by those who they thought were actual friends, simply because Alderman Brostoff supported Israel. (
https://www.youtube.com/live/9Hk7aAyN6a4, Brostoff's funeral, wife statement at hour 1 and 19 minutes)
Many of those individuals that had allegedly participated in distancing from Brostoff for supporting Israel and bullied Brostoff were present at Brostoff's funeral services on Friday (the hypocrisy and no shame). In Jacobs FB post, multiple names were mentioned (Ron Janson, Louis Fortis, Ryan Clancy and Chris Larson) by those responding in the comment threads and fingers were pointed at certain individuals and politicians allegedly involved in the political persecution of Alderman Brostoff for simply supporting Israel (the Zionist government) that has engaged in the genocide of unarmed Palestinians and children in the GAZA war against the HAMAS.
Alderman Brostoff was considered one of the most progressive politicians in the Wisconsin State Assembly, including as a Milwaukee alderman in the Milwaukee Common Council.
Brostoff's body was found with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head on Monday, November 4, 2024 at Greenfield Park, in Greenfield, Wisconsin. The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office ruled it a suicide.
No note was reported recovered at Brostoff's suicide scene, according to the preliminary Greenfield police investigation.
It has not been determined by police what motivated Brostoff to commit suicide, but according to Jacobs FB post, bullying, hypocrisy, antisemitic hate and isolation by certain individuals that Brostoff and his family endured for 18 months and the recent Shepherd Express category list that was published naming the most despised politicians last Sunday could very well be multiple contributing factors that pushed Brostoff of the edge that ended his young life.
