Former Council Candidate Zach Metzger Harasses Black Man in Israeli Flag Apparel

A viral video has ignited widespread outrage, showing Zach Metzger, a former Minneapolis City Council candidate for Ward 13, berating a Black man wearing Israeli flag apparel, accusing him of being a “white supremacist.” The incident, shared widely on social media, has drawn sharp criticism for Metzger’s confrontational approach and the perceived irony of a white activist lecturing a Black individual on racism. One X user commented, “Is that a white man with a blaccent lecturing a Black man on white supremacy? Peak American liberalism,” capturing the sentiment of many online.

Metzger, known as “Lavish Mack” on social media, has a history of provocative activism. Following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel that killed over 1,400 people, Metzger posted a video stating, “white people have no right to tell Hamas how to fight,” advocating for “liberation by any means necessary.” The remarks, widely condemned as endorsing violence, resurfaced amid this latest controversy, fueling accusations of antisemitism and reckless rhetoric.

The video incident reportedly occurred during a pro-Palestinian protest, though specific details about the date and location remain unconfirmed. Metzger’s actions echo a prior controversy in October 2023, when he was filmed participating in a pro-Palestinian protest near Loring Park, where a mob, including Metzger, blocked a highway and harassed an elderly driver. Drone footage contradicted Metzger’s claim that the driver attacked protesters, showing the crowd surrounding and attempting to damage the man’s car, prompting him to briefly wield a knife in self-defense. Metzger later deleted the video but claimed he received over 500 hate-filled emails and death threats, framing himself as a victim.

Metzger, who ran as a Democrat in the 2023 Minneapolis City Council election but lost to incumbent Linea Palmisano by over 5,000 votes, has been a polarizing figure. A self-described “servant leader” and legislative aide who worked on the “Beyond Bullying” bill, Metzger campaigned on defunding the police, housing reform, and environmental justice. However, his activism, including participation in George Floyd, Daunte Wright, and Winston Smith protests, has drawn scrutiny. In February 2024, Metzger sparked further outrage by posting on Instagram that he “didn’t feel bad” about the deaths of two Minneapolis police officers and an EMT in a domestic dispute shooting, questioning if the Black shooter’s identity was withheld to hide a white perpetrator, a claim later debunked when the shooter was identified as Shannon Gooden.

Critics, including fellow activist Patience Zalanga, have accused Metzger of seeking attention and endangering others at protests, with some questioning his trustworthiness. His campaign faced skepticism even within activist circles, and his social media posts, including referring to America as “amerikkka,” have been mocked as performative. The recent video has intensified debates about responsible activism, with many condemning Metzger’s tactics as divisive and hypocritical, particularly given the racial dynamics of the encounter.

Minneapolis police have not commented on the latest incident, and no arrests have been reported.