You may notice the same wording used several times in this week's events:

Orange is a color associated with safety. Everything from life vests to traffic cones is orange, and orange is the color hunters wear to protect themselves and others. Orange also was the favorite color of Hadiya Pendleton, whose friends organized the first National Gun Violence Awareness Day in 2015 to honor the talented young woman who was shot and killed at the age of 15, just one week after performing at President Obama’s second inauguration. The vision of these young friends has become a national movement–June 2 is now Wear Orange Day across America.

We wish we could say that this is a new issue that we have nip quickly. It has happened so often that we fear people are getting used to it. DON'T. THIS IS NOT NORMAL.  We have highlighted the issue in previous newsletters here and pieces on our blog here and here. So, why has nothing changed?

I learned something when I saw RBG this weekend. Ruth Bader Ginsburg's lifetime of work is predicated on the belief that lasting change comes in small steps. When Ginsburg attended Harvard Law School she was one of two women. The class of 2020 is 48% female. It did not happen quickly, but the change is permanent (as long as we don't end up in a Dystopian future like The Handmaid's Tale).

What can you do to help facilitate change? A lot.  You can attend one of the events on Thursday and Friday. You can also ask questions.  Let your current and future legislators know that you will be voting based on their stances about background checks and other sane legislation to control the epidemic of gun violence. Look below at the items in orange.  They are all opportunities to ask candidates and public officials if they support gun legislation and what their plans are to accomplish that goal.

We will most certainly be asking those questions at our own Governor's Forum.

Help Us Interview the Next Governor of Wisconsin

On the afternoon of Sunday, June 24^th at Ovation Sarah Chudnow Campus in Mequon, the six top-polling candidates for the Democratic nomination for Governor will respond to a wide array of questions and issues at a Grassroots North Shore forum.

Candidates have already sent in their views on two important questions:

1)      What is the role and responsibility of the state regarding protection of immigrants?

2)      Would you leave in place the current public versus voucher structure? If not, how would you propose changing and funding that relationship?

Their responses will be presented in next week’s newsletter.  Tune in next week and check out what they have to say.

Then rsvp (or do it now) to find out what else they believe in and stand for. We need more information to make a good choice, and this is our chance.

Many more questions will be asked and answered on June 24^th-- sign up to come and then bring your friends, family, and colleagues along.

Matt Flynn, Paul Soglin, Mahlon Mitchell, Tony Evers, Mike McCabe, Kathleen Vinehout

Doors open 3:00, presentation begins at 3:30; light refreshments served; free and open to the public.

EVENTS

Tues May 29, 2018

Kathleen Vinehout Meet & Greet, 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Riverwest Public House, 815 E Locust St, Milwaukee, WI 53212, USA
Please Join us in welcoming Gubernatorial Candidate Kathleen Vinehout for an After Work Meet and Greet to learn how she plans to put the people of Wisconsin firs

Wed May 30, 2018

Refuel the Resistance, 5 pm - 8 pm
Bounce Milwaukee, 2801 S. 5th Ct., Milwaukee
Weekly gathering at Bounce Milwaukee's mezzanine bar for networking, inspiration or just to vent. Bring along any evidence of your civic, resistance from the last week to get a beverage (up to $7) on the house, and compare notes with other individuals and groups working to make things better. More information.

Tammy Baldwin Fundraiser, 5:30 pm - 7 pm
Karl Ratzch Restaurant, 320 E. Mason St., Milwaukee
You are invited to join Sen. Tammy Baldwin at a reception to support her campaign.
Contribution levels: Host: $1,000, Co-host: $500, Sponsor: $250, Friend: $$100, Guest: $50
RSVP: www.tammybaldwin.com/180530milwaukee, Online donation: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/0wiev180530milwaukee

Thurs May 31, 2018

Wear Orange for National Gun Violence Awareness, 3:30 pm 
O'Donnell Park, 910 E Michigan St, Milwaukee, WI 53202,
Orange is a color associated with safety. Everything from life vests to traffic cones is orange, and orange is the color hunters wear to protect themselves and others. Orange also was the favorite color of Hadiya Pendleton, whose friends organized the first National Gun Violence Awareness Day in 2015 to honor the talented young woman who was shot and killed at the age of 15, just one week after performing at President Obama’s second inauguration. The vision of these young friends has become a national movement–June 2 is now Wear Orange Day across America.

Fri June 1, 2018

National Gun Violence Awareness Vigil, 5 pm - 8 pm
Sojourner Family Peace Center, 619 W Walnut St, Milwaukee, WI 53212
Orange is a color associated with safety. Everything from life vests to traffic cones is orange, and orange is the color hunters wear to protect themselves and others. Orange also was the favorite color of Hadiya Pendleton, whose friends organized the first National Gun Violence Awareness Day in 2015 to honor the talented young woman who was shot and killed at the age of 15, just one week after performing at President Obama’s second inauguration. The vision of these young friends has become a national movement–June 2 is now Wear Orange Day across America.

Fri June 1- 2, 2018

DPW State Convention, 6 pm 
Best Western Premier Waterfront Hotel & Convention Center, 1 N Main St, Oshkosh, WI 54901

Sat June 2, 2018

Stand for Peace, 12 pm - 1 pm
Varies. Find the week's location here.
Stand for peace in the streets of Milwaukee, every Saturday at noon. Organized by the United Nations Association of Milwaukee, Peace/Conflict Committee.

Mon June 4, 2018

Earnell Lucas,  Candidate for Milwaukee County Sheriff, 6:30 pm - 8 pm -  Please note, last week's time was incorrect
2305 E Stratford Ct, Shorewood, WI
Hosted by Norma and Ian Gilson and Lana Cramer and Keith Schmitz. Earnell is a lifelong Milwaukeean who loves this community and cares deeply about its people. After retiring from the Milwaukee Police Department as a captain in 2002, he joined Major League Baseball as a security supervisor in the commissioner’s office, later working as a vice president for security and facility management. Most recently, Earnell served as the Chief Liaison for Security and Investigations. Earnell and his wife Linda live on Milwaukee’s East Side. They are active members of St. Matthew CME Church on 6th and Locust, which Earnell has attended since accompanying his grandmother there as a young man. Earnell Lucas is working to restore integrity to the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Department. It's time to move on from the failed policies of past leadership and make Milwaukee County strong and safe. To learn more, visit www.lucasformke.com. Please RSVP to Norma at 414-588-1241 or [email protected] by June 1. Suggested Contribution: $25.  Contributions of any amount are greatly appreciated, but not required and are not tax deductible. Contribute online at www.lucasformke.com or mail checks to Lucas for Milwaukee PO Box 510246, Milwaukee, WI 53203.

Drinking Liberally Waukesha, 6:30 pm - 9 pm
Clarke Irish Pub, 314 W. Main St., Waukesha
Drinking Liberally Waukesha meets the first Monday of each month

Tues June 5, 2014

Daniel Riemer Kickoff Fundraiser, 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Westallion Brewing Co., 1825 S. 72nd St., West Allis
Help State Rep. Daniel Riemer kick off his re-election campaign and get ready for victory in 2018! Contribution Levels: Host: $1000 Sponsor: $500, Friend: $250, Supporter: $100, Suggested Contribution: $50. All donations are gratefully accepted.  Online donation: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/ready2018 RSVP: [email protected]

Wed June 6, 2018

Chris Larson Listening Session, 5 pm - 6:30 pm
Oak Creek Civic Center, 8040 S. 6th St.
State Sen. Chris Larson will hold a listening session to hear what his constituents are thinking.

Refuel the Resistance, 5 pm - 8 pm
Bounce Milwaukee, 2801 S. 5th Ct., Milwaukee
Weekly gathering at Bounce Milwaukee's mezzanine bar for networking, inspiration or just to vent. Bring along any evidence of your civic, resistance from the last week to get a beverage (up to $7) on the house, and compare notes with other individuals and groups working to make things better. More information.

Thurs June 7, 2018

Forgotten America: Author Event, 7 pm
Boswell Book Co., 2559 N. Downer Ave, Milwaukee
Author Sarah Kendzior will speak about her book on the American heartland, The View from Flyover Country: Dispatches from the Forgotten America. It is a piercing critique of the labor exploitation, racism, gentrification, media bias, and other aspects of the post-employment economy that gave rise to a president who rules like an autocrat. This is necessary reading for anyone who believes the only way for America to fix its problems is to first discuss them with honesty and compassion.

Sat June 9, 2018

Building Progressive Power, 9 am - 12:30 pm
MTEA Building, 5130 W. Vliet St., Milwaukee
Citizen Action has a plan to harness the historic energy around 'The Resistance' to create lasting progressive power in Wisconsin. This training acts as the first step in that plan, giving you the knowledge and tools you need to get started. This event will focus first on a roadmap to winning back political power. The second half will be an overview of the electoral landscape in Wisconsin and training in the campaign plan and communicating about the issues. RSVP (space is limited): https://www.citizenactionwi.org/training6-9-18

Stand for Peace, 12 pm - 1 pm
Varies. Find the week's location here.
Stand for peace in the streets of Milwaukee, every Saturday at noon. Organized by the United Nations Association of Milwaukee, Peace/Conflict Committee.

Tammy Baldwin Rally, 1:30 pm 
Italian Community Center, 631 E. Chicago Street
Join Tammy, Senator Kamala Harris, Congresswoman Gwen Moore, and fellow Wisconsinites gathering to show powerful special interests that Wisconsin's U.S. Senate seat can't be bought.Doors open at 1:30 pm/ RSVP: https://www.tammybaldwin.com/landing/harrismilwaukee/?source=dpw_email

Mon June 11, 2018

Governor Candidate Forum, 6 pm - 8 pm
Country Springs Hotel, 2810 Golf Rd., Pewaukee
Candidates for governor will be asked questions on issues of criminal justice reform, public transportation, childhood poverty, health care, and more. Sponsored by WISDOM, EXPO, Mothers Against Gun Violence, and Moms Demand Action.

Tues June 12, 2018

DPMC Issues Committee Meeting, 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Amalgamated Transit Union, 734 N. 26th St., Milwaukee
The Democratic Party's Issues Committee will hold its monthly meeting. All Democrats are welcome to participate.

Milwaukee Dems Meeting, 6 pm 
Amalgamated Transit Union, 734 N. 26th St., Milwaukee
Milwaukee County Democrats meet monthly to discuss party business, hear speakers on current topics, pass resolutions, and network with other progressives. All interested Democrats are invited. Milwaukee County Dems meet monthly to discuss party business, hear speakers on current topics, pass resolutions, and network with other progressives. All interested Democrats are invited to the general meeting and to the Issues Committee meeting at 5:30.

Drinking Liberally MKE, 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Art Bar, 722 E. Burleigh St., Milwaukee
Now, more than ever, Drinking Liberally is a space to gather, support each other, and form the progressive community we're going to need to get through the next four years. Come share a pint with your fellow progressives! Drinking Liberally MKE meets on the second Tuesday of every month, hosted by Matt Filipowicz.

350.ORG Monthly Meeting, 7 pm - 8:30 pm
1500 E. Park Pl, Milwaukee (Urban Ecology Center)
350.ORG is the global organization building a grassroots movement in 188 countries to address global warming and solve climate the crisis. 350.ORG meets every second Tuesday of the month. www.350mke.org.