1st District Alderman Ashanti Hamilton

Story compiled by MCJ Staff
Alderman Ashanti Hamilton denied Monday assaulting a challenger for his first district aldermanic seat last weekend.

In a press statement, Hamilton said he did not assault aldermanic candidate C. Orlando Owens Saturday, September 15 as Owens was talking with two district residents on the corner of Fairmount and Hopkins Street.

Hamilton was given a $175 citation by Milwaukee police for disorderly conduct for allegedly shoving Owens repeatedly and threatening him in regards to running for his office.

"I did not assault an individual who approached me in public," said Hamilton’s statement. It is believed the "individual" he is referring to is Owens.

"I did not assault this person in any physical or verbal manner," the statement continued. "I courteously accepted the citation I was issued for disorderly conduct and intend to offer a vigorous defense when the matter is called in Municipal Court.

"At this time, I request that people defer their judgment in this matter until all the facts are fully disclosed. I am confident that I will be fully exonerated.

Hamilton referred further questions to his attorney, Michael Chernin.

In a letter to Alderman and Common Council President Willie Hines, Jr. Owens called on him to "rein in" Hamilton and his supporters for denying him the right to the democratic process of running for public office by way of "demonstrating political thuggary and intimidation."

Owens ran against Hamilton and three other candidates in 2004 to replace former Alderman and Common Council President Marvin Pratt who became mayor after former Mayor John Norquist stepped down.

The two men will square off against each other in next year’s election.

Owens also described an incident between him and Hamilton that occurred the day before on September 14, in which Owens claims he was personally threatened and attacked verbally by Hamilton and some of his supporters.

During that alleged confrontation, Hines reportedly stepped in and prevented Hamilton from--according to Owens--physically attacking him.

According to news reports, Hines, was in the area as part of a visit by Guardian Angels’ leader Curtis Sliwa. Hines described the Friday incident as "bizarre" and questioned Owens account of what took place, reportedly calling it "grossly exaggerated."

Hines reportedly pulled Owens to the side to talk to him, adding he never saw Hamilton confront Owens or speak to him.

The next day, September 15, Owens claimed Hamilton stalked, threatened and physically attacked him as he talked to first district residents.

"He pushed me into the street and yelled such threats as ‘I should slap you in your mouth from the other night,’" recalled Owens of the alleged Saturday confrontation. "‘There’s no cameras around now--so what do you want to do?’" Hamilton supposedly added, according to Owens.

"These are just some of the examples of his thuggish and above the law campaign tactics that hinders the democratic voting process," Owens says in his letter to Hines.

"I am asking that he (Hamilton) be reprimanded for his actions. I am also asking for a fair chance at running for political office. Furthermore, I am asking that the district one election results in the spring of 2008 are allowed to speak for themselves."

Hines reportedly stated that he would not conduct an investigation into the incident and questioned Owens’ own character.

The council president reportedly said if Saturday’s alleged incident was indicative of what occurred Friday, then the citation should never have been issued to Hamilton.