Statement on New Berlin Mayor

INTERFAITH CONFERENCE OF GREATER MILWAUKEE

CONDEMNS POSTINGS BY NEW BERLIN MAYOR (8/23/2026)

The Interfaith Conference of Greater Milwaukee condemns the use of Islamophobic, antisemitic, racist, and misogynistic postings on the personal Facebook page of New Berlin Mayor Dave Ament. These hateful messages are counter to a democratic society and create fear for members of the targeted community. This behavior is unbecoming for all of us, but of special concern when exhibited by someone who has been elected to serve an entire community - people of all identities. 

Mayor Ament did himself no favor when in response to the outpouring of concern about his posts he responded "It has never been my intention to disparage or offend any individual... including the Muslim community. My intention was simply to share information on matters of public concern." Mayor Ament shared hateful rhetoric targeting many different people based on their identities - it was neither information nor anything which was public concern. 

While it is ultimately up to Mayor Ament to decide whether he should resign for the good of New Berlin, or for the Common Council to fire him for cause, or for the good people of New Berlin to take action to decide who is qualified to represent them, we are asking Mayor Ament to publicly recognize the harm he has done with his words, and if he stays, make a commitment to respectfully represent everyone in his community - not just individuals who look, pray, or think as he does.

The Interfaith Conference reaffirms our determination to speak out together against Islamophobia, antisemitism, and all forms of hate-fueled violence. Hate has no place in our communities. Let us recommit ourselves to building a society rooted in justice, compassion, and the shared human dignity that binds us all.

BY THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, INTERFAITH CONFERENCE OF GREATER MILWAUKEE:

Fr. David Simmons, Chair, Episcopal Church, Diocese of Wisconsin

Ms. Patricia McFarland, Vice Chair, First Unitarian Society of Milwaukee

Mrs. Susan McNeil, Secretary, Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Milwaukee

The Rev. Jane Anderson, United Church of Christ, Wisconsin Conference

Ms. Roberta Clark, Jewish Community Relations Council/Milwaukee Jewish Federation

Bishop Paul Erickson, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Greater Milwaukee Synod

Dr. Brett Seamons, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Milwaukee Stakes

Mr. Ahmed J. Quereshi, Executive Director