Milwaukee mural controversy and damage; 2 men criminally charged
MILWAUKEE - Two men are now criminally charged, accused of damaging a controversial mural in Milwaukee back in September 2024.
The mural near Holton and Locust showed a Star of David combined with a swastika.
The building owner, Ihsan Atta, says it was meant to bring attention to the war in Gaza.
"They came prepared with an ax, sledge hammer and other hammers," Atta said. "They had at it. They did it in clear view of security cameras."
Atta said it cost him more than $12,000.
"This mural really had the capacity to push people over the edge and endanger the Jewish community of Milwaukee," Zechariah Mehler said.
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Milwaukee mural controversy, police investigating vandalism
Milwaukee police are investigating the vandalism of a controversial mural that happened last week. The mural was located near Holton and Locust.
The Milwaukee Common Council asked the owner to take it down.
Police say surveillance video shows Zechariah and Peter Mehler taking an axe and a sledgehammer to the mural, while Zechariah gave the camera "double middle fingers."
"We deny that we committed a crime," Peter Mehler said. "We believe this was hate speech and that the city should have acted and they didn’t. What was left was vigilantism."
Police say the next day, Zechariah came back to finish the job with a pry bar.
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Atta said what happened is a violation of his free speech. He said he plans to debut a new mural sometime next month.
Mural covered with black paint
Zechariah and Peter Mehler are charged with criminal damage to property.
The Mehlers call the mural a hate crime.
"We’re going to fight the charges and Mr. Atta will have to explain his position," Peter Mehler said.