Rep. Brostoff Statement on Rep. Bowen’s Integrity

MILWAUKEE – In response to the continued, baseless, and often racially-charged vilification of Wisconsin State Representative David Bowen by right-wing media, legislative Republicans, and onlookers, Wisconsin State Representative Jonathan Brostoff (D-Milwaukee) released the following statement:

“I have known David since we were both teenagers. And what I have seen then and now is a man of G-d, a committed activist, a phenomenal lawmaker, someone who is willing to take the right vote over the easy vote, and a man who has the utmost integrity. Let me say that again: Rep. David Bowen is a man of the utmost integrity, and his reputation is impeccable. But now, many prominent right-wing extremists and shock jocks in Wisconsin have decided to lambaste him because he kept it real and, yet again, did the right thing  instead of the easy thing. He disputed the jumbled and non-coherent narratives pushed by Wauwatosa Office Joseph Mensah and the Wauwatosa Police Department (whose accounts of the events of that evening differ in key respects). David has been with me on the front lines of the protests against police brutality and racism. He has been in the streets with activists, marching, listening to both protesters and law enforcement officials, actively de-escalating tense situations, and bearing witness to this critical turning point in our state and nation’s history. And yet some folks who haven’t been there at all, who often have a monetary and political incentive to lie, fabricate, and falsify, claim to know the truth better than a respected community leader who has actually witnessed the events in question.”

Since issuing a press release detailing his experiences at a protest at the home of suspended Wauwatosa Police Officer Joseph Mensah that challenged the narrative put forth by Mensah and the Wauwatosa Police Department, Rep. Bowen has faced a chorus of criticism and repeated attempts to impugn his character.

“To see David lambasted by propaganda outlets and right-wing extremists, to see him subjected to repeated threats and racist abuse, is frankly disgusting. This, from the very same people who are often either silent or actively try to justify the same racist police brutality that has people marching in the first place. The same people who continue to fight tooth and nail to uphold a broken status quo that continues to leave trails of Black and Brown bodies in its wake. The same people who hide behind screens and radio broadcasts, spewing nonsense and dog whistles instead of actually engaging with this critical movement and trying to make the world a better place. It all reeks of hypocrisy, privilege, and racism but is disappointingly all too expected.

I am 100% with David; as a friend, as a fellow lawmaker, and as an American who is committed to meaningful and substantive change. He represents the best amongst us, and Wisconsin is blessed to have him as a leader.”