Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs’ dwelling on Chicago’s North Side was defaced with paint by a gaggle of individuals early Tuesday morning, hours after pro-Palestinian activists staged a protest outdoors a fundraiser for him in a downtown bar due to his oversight of state investments in Israel.
Chicago police mentioned the incident at Frerichs’ dwelling within the Lakeview neighborhood was “defaced with using paint” round 4 a.m. Tuesday. No accidents have been reported and nobody was in custody.
Frerichs’ workplace mentioned the vandalism occurred throughout a protest outdoors the treasurer’s home.
“Everyone has the proper to peacefully protest and petition their authorities for change. This was not a peaceable protest. These activists meant to trigger worry and intimidation by scare techniques,” Frerichs mentioned in a press release. “They threatened my 1-year-old twins. They defaced our dwelling and our youngsters’s toys with crimson paint, wore masks and shone a lightweight at a safety digicam to defend their faces.
Palestinian supporters have criticized the United States’ relationship with Israel over its conduct within the warfare towards Hamas. After final October’s assault by Hamas militants on Israel, Frerichs introduced an extra $30 million funding by his workplace in Israeli bonds. Since Frerichs grew to become treasurer in 2015, the state has invested greater than $120 million within the nation, his workplace mentioned.
“I stay dedicated to the funding selections I’ve made as treasurer,” Frerichs mentioned in his assertion Tuesday, which got here as Iran launched a missile assault on Israel. “I proceed to consider, as Iranian missiles rain down on our essential ally, that Israel has the proper to defend itself. And I proceed to hope for a negotiated resolution that may carry lasting peace to the area.”
In a November 2023 press launch saying $20 million of the extra $30 million in Israeli bonds, Frerichs mentioned “the funding demonstrates our robust dedication to Israel and its individuals.”
“My workplace invested in Israel bonds as a result of they (diversify) the state portfolio, earn good returns, provide a protected funding and to affirm the particular relationship between Illinois and the Middle East’s solely democracy,” Frerichs mentioned.
On Monday, a number of hours earlier than her dwelling was defaced, the group CODEPINK, a women-led anti-war nonprofit, led a protest outdoors the Joy District, a downtown bar the place Frerichs held a fundraiser.
In a video posted by the group on Instagram, a girl on the occasion tried to ask Frerichs why his workplace invests in Israeli bonds.
“This is my tax cash you are investing. You are the treasurer, so I wish to know what these bonds are for? And why are you investing in a genocidal nation?” the lady requested. “For instance, have a look at our public faculties in Chicago. Look at our streets. There are homeless individuals on each nook. So, how a lot is that $30 million you invested?
Frerichs tried to stroll away as the lady frequently tried to get him to clarify the investments in Israeli bonds.
Later within the video, the sound of a girl’s voice shouts Frerichs’ identify in what seems to be the identical location. “This is our neighborhood’s cash that you’re investing in an expansionist and genocidal colonial state!” the individual shouted as somebody tried to persuade them to go away.
A spokesperson for CODEPINK mentioned the group knew nothing concerning the incident at Frerichs’ dwelling and declined additional remark.
According to the Associated Press, Israel’s marketing campaign in Gaza has price the lives of greater than 39,600 Palestinians and injured greater than 91,700. The warfare started when Hamas militants from Gaza stormed into Israel on October 7 final 12 months, killing round 1,200 individuals.
