The Israeli-American Civic Action Network (ICAN) announces our opposition to the reelection of West Hollywood Mayor John Erickson. Mayor Erickson has demonstrated a staunch opposition to our organization’s priority issue areas and a troubling disregard for legal and ethical standards. Throughout his time in office, he has actively worked to protect anti-Israel figures, marginalized Jewish voices, and harassed individuals and businesses within the Jewish and Israeli-American communities. His repeated actions reflect a consistent pattern of bias, intimidation, and unethical governance.

From platforming his anti-Israel Vice Mayor to making disparaging comments about Jewish community members and blocking Holocaust remembrance efforts, Mayor Erickson has consistently and dangerously worked to undermine the Jewish and Israeli-American communities in West Hollywood. This behavior is unacceptable, and it is time for new leadership that reflects fairness, accountability, and a commitment to serving all residents of West Hollywood.

Reasons for Our Opposition

1. “Six Whiney Jews” and Other Disparaging Comments: During the 2022 election, when members of the community expressed concern about then-candidate Byers, Mayor Erickson stated that he would not let “six whiney Jews ruin this election” for his Vice Mayor and that he would ensure that “no one would care about these Jewish issues.”
2. Targeting Jewish and Israeli Business Owners: Mayor Erickson has threatened Jewish and Israeli business owners, stating that he would not support any of their projects unless they withdrew their opposition to his Vice Mayor and publicly condemned pro-Israel organizations like ICAN.
3. Protecting Anti-Israel Vice Mayor at All Costs: Mayor Erickson has pulled out all the stops to protect, platform, and promote his Vice Mayor Chelsea Lee Byers, who, as her full-time job, runs an anti-Israel organization called Beautiful Trouble. Byers refers to Israel as “Isra-hell,” has celebrated the October 7th attacks, and gives grants to anti-Israel direct actions. Byers has a long history of radical activism, starting with her role as a Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) chapter founder and a Code Pink activist. Both organizations are under investigation for potential ties to terrorist organizations. Byers, Beautiful Trouble, and these groups have been linked to promoting extremist ideologies and fostering violent hostility towards Jews, Israeli-Americans, and pro-Israel people.
4. Harassment of Jewish Candidates: Mayor Erickson has consistently harassed Jewish candidates in an effort to marginalize them and suppress their voices in the political process. Most recently, in an alarming attempt to intimidate an Israeli-born Jewish candidate in the current election, Mayor Erickson taunted the candidate and sent an audio clip referencing the tragic execution of Israeli-American hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin.
5. Blocked Holocaust Documentary: During Holocaust Remembrance Day in 2023, Mayor Erickson blocked the screening of a Holocaust documentary because one of the subjects of the film opposed his Vice Mayor’s election. The film highlighted how governments today work to hide the truth about the Holocaust, and by blocking the screening for political reasons, Mayor Erickson only contributed to government-sponsored Holocaust denial and distortion.  

We also have serious concerns that Mayor Erickson has abused his position and a law enforcement agency to target his political opponents in this election. Recent media reports indicate that Mayor Erickson filed a baseless complaint with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department against another candidate and coordinated with a local media outlet to exaggerate the allegations and hurt his opponent’s electoral chances. In addition, there have been several additional developers and business owners outside of the Jewish and Israeli-American communities who have expressed concern about Mayor Erickson threatening their projects unless they support him in the current election.

If you feel that you have been a victim of Mayor Erickson’s intimidation or unethical behavior, please share your concerns in writing with the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office Public Integrity Division, 211 West Temple Street, Suite 1200, Los Angeles, CA 90012. 

These Issues Disqualify Mayor Erickson

Mayor Erickson’s actions reflect a pattern of unethical behavior, intolerance, and callous disregard for the issues that most concern our communities. And, his conduct disqualifies him from serving as a fair and representative leader. West Hollywood deserves leadership that respects all members of the community, supports open dialogue, and facilitates civic engagement for everyone.

ICAN urges the residents of West Hollywood to consider other candidates who will bring integrity, accountability, and a genuine commitment to community well-being to the City Council.

West Hollywood was founded in 1984 and today has grown to a population of approximately 36,000. The city operates under a council-manager form of government. The upcoming municipal election in West Hollywood will be held on November 5, 2024, and we encourage all voters to oppose the reelection of Mayor Erickson.