The Israeli-American Civic Action Network (ICAN) is calling for an investigation after West Hollywood City Council candidate Rachel Schmeidler announced Friday she was withdrawing from the race due to “an act of targeted harassment.”
The organization says Mayor John M. Erickson filed an election complaint against Schmeidler, an Israeli-American, that included a video recording said to reference Hersch Goldberg-Polin, one of the hostages executed by Hamas terrorists.
The complaint was related to a campaign finance disclosure notice on a text-messaging campaign ad.
The city clerk then sent a “threatening” notice and the video to Schmeidler, who interpreted it as “discriminatory and deeply intimidating,” ICAN said in a statement.
ICAN, an advocacy organization that focuses on promoting and protecting the interests of Israeli-Americans and the broader pro-Israel community in the United States, is run by lobbyist Dillon Hosier, who until recently was also a part of the West Hollywood Chamber of Commerce’s political action committee. Hosier ushered Schmeidler into the race for City Council after his exit from the PAC.
Look, A video about Hersch’s mother, Rachel (same name as candidate), in a note threatening action against a minor election mishap, to an Israeli woman named Rachel who is his competition… seems a bit crazy. According to another article, it was related to her not writing the caption (paid for by) in a short text that already had her name and campaign website inviting people to a small meet and greet. It wasn’t even worth reporting… a one off…. nothing. So his active targeting of this Israeli candidate named Rachel… who he is competing against, attached with a video instead… Read more »
Let me try to understand this… So this candidate potentially violates campaign finance laws… It’s rightfully reported to the city clerk. The city clerk does their job and launches an investigation with the city attorney. The city clerk connects with said candidate with the results of their findings, presumably that campaign finance laws were in violation. How is this “an attack of targeted harassment”? How is this “discriminatory and deeply intimidating”? If nothing was found and said candidate is innocent of any wrong doing, there is no issue, and said candidate can hold their head high and continue with their… Read more »
Erickson should focus more on removing falsely claimed endorsements from his website. That long list needs to be fact checked, cause it’s turning out to be a list of lies. But instead going after this very upstanding member of our community. Is Erickson getting nervous that there maybe a chance he is unseated, that his anti semetic gal pal Byers might be left all alone?
Unhinged Erickson confirming all the rumors about accusations of being anti Semitic? How can it even be possible that Hersh Goldberg Polins name, may his soul rest in peace, be something controversial in a Weho council race. What a disgrace this all is.
I think this article is saying that John Erickson filed a complaint against Rachel along with a threatening video. And also in another article, this one about Zekiah, there is mention of John Erickson being listed on some type of legal papers, at the behest of Jackie Steele, and filing a complaint with the sheriffs about Zekiah. This sounds very fishy to me that John Erickson has complained about two competing city council candidates. Is anybody else finding this a little strange?
Since the story is developing, it is almost beyond understanding why anybody would claim to know the reason/s for and the ideology/ies behind the threats.
Hold onto your hats, people.
Actually, quite terrible.
Wasn’t particularly interested in her candidacy, though.
My votes are committed to Block and Nickle but she was a third option. She is opposed to the Fountain project. I would like to hear more about these threats. This can’t be dropped.
I’d like to know who she is supporting now that she’s stepped down.
I would like to point out that even though I posted a comment on this topic strongly disputing the entire premise of her arguments even providing sources to debunk her points, I find any kind of threats against her attaining any political position as completely unacceptable and, the worst thing she could possibly do is to back out ❗ If true the candidate should turn this matter over to the FBI and, who ever is doing this should know that no one is impressed by this or thinks it’s funny😡❗
This makes me both angry and sad. What has happened to our society that these things happen? I hope her children are not psychologically harmed by this horrid act.
Sad to read about this development.Politics in our country are becoming toxic.The presidential election nonsense are now invading local races.
Threatening an candidate and his/her family unfortunately is becoming the norm. Hope sheriff deputies can trace where these threats are coming from.