Rantz: ‘Violent’ anti-Semitic Antifa activist released by Seattle judge

A “violent” anti-Semitic Antifa activist yet again escaped serious consequences for his conduct thanks to a Seattle judge. It’s the latest Seattle action to suggest the city — and judicial system — doesn’t take anti-Semitism seriously.

Jamal Oscar Williams has a history of threatening behavior in the Pacific Northwest. He was arrested late last year for “maliciously and intentionally” threatening to kill and assault two Jewish men in Seattle over the Sukkot holiday.

The allegations

Andy Ngo from the Post Millennial was the first outlet to report the details.

[Rabbi Schmuel] Levitin and [Ephraim] Block were operating a permitted religious booth for the Sukkot Jewish holiday in downtown Seattle on October 11 when Williams allegedly approached them and shouted: ‘Jews, Jews, Jews … give me your money!’ He then said he had a gun and was going to kill them. Both Levitin and Block have beards and payots, or sideburns, and were wearing yarmulkes. Levitin is a rabbi at the Chabad of Downtown Seattle.

Three days later, Williams returned and made similar threats and demands for money. On October 15, the next day, Williams allegedly followed the men into the lobby of their apartment building. After making more demands for money, he allegedly hurled candy from the concierge’s desk at the men. Police later found and arrested Williams in a nearby-area. He was unarmed at the time.

This is not Williams’ first run-in with police for his misconduct. According to the Post Millennial, he has multiple felony charges to his name and is described as “violent.”

Back in December 2018 at a rally, he was caught on video threatening Ngo. He said:

I’m known to do this [expletive] for real. Cuz some of us didn’t really come to talk, some of us really come to die, dude. Are you willing to die for a YouTube [expletive]? Yeah but that’s what’s gonna come. That’s what’s coming to you dude. Real [expletive]. You feel that energy?

Light punishment

King County Judge Karen Donohue, appointed to the court by Governor Jay Inslee, opted not to punish Williams. Presumably, Seattle’s reputation for being light on crime can’t get any worse, so why not lean into the madness? And, after all, Jews like me and these victims aren’t deserving of respect or protection.

Instead of jail time, Williams was enrolled in the King County Community Center for Alternative Programs (CCAP). This program is supposed to change Williams’ behavior through on-site services, drug testing, and a nebulous “weekly itinerary.” He is also to seek mental health services.

CCAP insists Williams has committed no crimes while under their care. He has yet to heed the warnings from officials not to break the law.

‘Poster child’

How many more people must Williams harass before he sees meaningful jail time? This is not someone who made a mistake and needs a hand. This is a guy who flagrantly violates the law without regard to his victims.

Seattle Community activist Ari Hoffman, writing for the Post Millennial, noted:

Williams has been given every opportunity available through Seattle and King County services to get his life on track. Yet he has chosen to re-offend time and again. Williams is the poster child for a failed justice system in Seattle.

Unfortunately, it seems like Seattle judges are waiting to see someone seriously injured before they’ll step in. Even after an injury, meaningful jail time is not guaranteed.

He’s a known troublemaker

Anyone who spends time covering Antifa rallies in Seattle or Portland will know Williams.

At an August 2019 rally in Portland, he harassed reporter Julio Rosas as he documented Antifa. In one video (not safe for work), Williams shouted, “We didn’t come to talk, we come to bang it out!”

Things are getting tense as a man shouts antifa is not here to talk, but to fight. pic.twitter.com/ePwY2cwphu

— Julio Rosas (@Julio_Rosas11) August 17, 2019

At a downtown Seattle rally in September 2019, Williams again tried to rile up Antifa for violence. He was seen screaming “bang it out!” to the crowd and earned an embrace from local Socialist activist ChaseCross who was caught on video shouting at Republicans to “die in a fire.” Williams has nice friends.

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