Milwaukee officer struck by pro-Palestinian protester at Sen. Tammy Baldwin fundraiser
A Milwaukee police officer was struck by a pro-Palestinian demonstrator after a small group of protesters disrupted a private Milwaukee fundraiser for U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin on Sunday, sources said.
Baldwin officials said the campaign called the Milwaukee Police Department after about 20 protesters burst into a birthday fundraiser for Baldwin, 62, at the downtown 3rd Street Market Hall. Members of the group, who were protesting the Middle East crisis, did not have tickets to the event.
Sources said one of the officers who responded to the call was punched by a protester after she asked him about his ethnicity. The officer said he had a Palestinian background, and the female demonstrator hit him, saying he was on the wrong side of the dispute.
"Striking a police officer is never acceptable," said Andrew Mamo, a spokesman for Baldwin. "On Sunday, a group of protestors barged into an event they were not invited to. They were asked to leave and refused. Police were called. The protestors were removed and the event proceeded as planned."
The Milwaukee officer was injured but not seriously. It was not known if the protester was arrested.
"The safety of our officers is a priority for the Milwaukee Police Department," a statement from the agency said. "While MPD is committed to transparency, we are unable to provide information at this time, as this recent incident is under an active investigation."
Deputy District Attorney Kent Lovern said Monday that he was aware of the incident but did not know whether charges had been referred to the district attorney's office.
According to officials, the protesters, who had a bullhorn, directed criticism at Baldwin, who is up for re-election in November, and Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson, who was among an estimated 80 people at the event. Johnson is up for re-election in Tuesday's primary and in the April general election.
Baldwin officials said the campaign has been in touch with Milwaukee police to check on the condition of the officer. The senator is planning to call the officer the next day he is on the job.
An estimated 1.4 million Palestinians living in the Gaza Strip have been displaced during Israel's retaliation for the Oct. 7 Hamas terrorist attack that killed some 1,200 Israelis. More than 28,000 Palestinians have died in the Israeli military campaign, according to the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry.
More: Sen. Tammy Baldwin condemns head of Islamic group CAIR over remarks on Oct. 7 attacks in Israel
Jessie Opoien of the Journal Sentinel staff contributed to this report.
Contact Daniel Bice at (414) 313-6684 or dbice@jrn.com. Follow him on X at @DanielBice or on Facebook at fb.me/daniel.bice.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Officer struck by pro-Palestinian protester at Baldwin fundraiser
