Activists Interrupt Ceremony, Call Governor A ‘Schmuck’ For His Stance On Refugees

A brief disturbance Monday at a holiday ceremony in Milwaukee has Gov. Scott Walker defending his stance on Syrian refugees.

Walker had just been introduced at a menorah lighting ceremony at the Milwaukee Jewish Federation when some members of Jews for Refugee Relief group held a quick demonstration. A few held signs about Anne Frank’s family being denied entrance to the U.S., and one man yelled that Walker is “a schmuck.” Security quickly escorted the protesters outside.

Walker later said he hadn’t seen the protest, but defended his concerns about the U.S. admitting large numbers of Syrian refugees.

“We have a strong tradition in this state and country of accepting refugees,” he said. “I think I and a number of governors in both parties have just had concerns about slowing the pace down.”

Walker said he wants to make sure that people coming from certain parts of Syria are safe for the community.