Statement on February 11 City Hall incident

I want to begin by acknowledging the seriousness of the claims that have been made and by affirming that every member of the Common Council deserves to feel safe, respected, and able to carry out their duties without fear or intimidation. I take those responsibilities, and the trust placed in me as an elected official, very seriously.

That said, I must strongly and unequivocally dispute the characterization of the events described regarding February 11. The public account provided by Ald. Zamarripa and sources does not accurately reflect what occurred.

I was brought into Ald. Zamarripa’s office by Common Council President José Pérez to discuss an email I had previously sent to those members regarding pending legislation and their disagreement. Prior to entering Ald. Zamarripa’s office, four council members were already present in the room. I was surprised to find multiple colleagues present.

I did not initiate this gathering, nor did I enter the office uninvited or with any intent to intimidate. I was not the aggressor in this interaction.

For the record, voices were raised by everyone in the room during this exchange. At no point did I physically block, threaten, or prevent anyone from leaving, nor did I misuse my authority in any way. While the discussion was candid and, at moments, intense, as can happen when elected officials engage passionately on issues affecting their constituents, raised voices or strong disagreement should not be misrepresented as intimidation, abuse, or misconduct. I categorically reject those assertions.

As an elected official, it is my goal to always represent my constituents and my district with integrity. I will willingly and fully participate in any investigation into the incident cited, as I firmly believe I conducted myself appropriately and professionally throughout the interaction. I am confident that a fair review, including witness accounts and full context, will reflect that reality.

My focus remains on the work Milwaukee residents elected me to do. I remain committed to serving my constituents with honesty and accountability, and to engaging my colleagues respectfully, even when we disagree, in the best interests of the city.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.