CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Mayor Brandon Johnson's newly picked Chicago Board of Education president has been in that post for less than a week, but he's already facing criticism from some city council members about what they called anti-semitic posts on his social media accounts.
Twenty-six city council members — a majority — have signed a letter calling for an apology from Rev. Mitchell Johnson and his resignation from the Chicago Board of Education.
The move follows a report by a Jewish Insider that Johnson has a long history of posting anti-semitic comments online, including pro-Hamas statements made since the group's Oct. 7, 2023, attack.
Among the aldermen who signed the letter was Ald. Debra Silverstein (50th), who is the only Jewish member of the city council.
"I'm just going to read you one of the things he wrote: My Jewish colleagues appear drunk with the Israeli power and will live to see their payment," Silverstein said.
Silverstein added that she doesn't think Mayor Brandon Johnson's administration "has the Jewish community's back."
"I don't know how the vetting process let this person get through onto our school board," she told reporters.
After the meeting, the mayor said Rev. Johnson plans to speak with members of the city's Jewish community about those social media posts.
Mayor Johnson said he does not share the new board president's opinions.
"Rev. Johnson has been a strong faith leader throughout the state of Illinois and has expressed sorrow and is seeking atonement for the words that he has shared," the mayor said.
Mayor Johnson said the controversy does not affect his confidence in Rev. Johnson's ability to serve on the board.
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