With the impeachment trial behind us, the Biden administration is losing no time in aggressively pursuing its agenda. Tonight, President Biden will hold a town hall in Milwaukee, with moderator Anderson Cooper, at 8pm CST. You can watch it on CNN or streamed live on CNN.com. See a listing of all the ways to view it here. And while we're listing events you should not miss, sign up to participate in Grassroots North Shore's celebration of our successes in the last year. It's easy to forget that in spring 2020, we helped Jill Karofsky win her seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court, followed up in November by helping to award Wisconsin's 10 electoral votes to the Biden/Harris team, and then helping put Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock in the US Senate in January 2021. And YOU are the people who made it happen! So join us, Sunday, February 28, at 7:00pm CST.

Here's a couple of things you ought to know about the threat to voting rights in Wisconsin. As Jay Heck, Executive Director of Common Cause in Wisconsin, recently explained, "Republicans in the Legislature recently unveiled a partisan proposal to apportion eight of Wisconsin's electoral votes by congressional district beginning in 2024." If such a plan had been in place in 2020, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris would have received four electoral college votes, despite winning the popular vote in the state, and the Drumpf/Pence ticket would have received six! And that's not all. Heck goes on to speculate that "Republicans also may try to restrict the ability of voters to utilize absentee ballots. They may ban the use of safe and secure voter drop boxes and other collection methods. They hope to vastly restrict the definition of 'indefinitely confined' voters, and to further limit early in-person voting opportunities. They may even move to eliminate Election Day voter registration, which has been in place in Wisconsin for decades."

Already, our GOP-dominated legislature has contracted with law firms — and committed $1million of taxpayer funds — to prepare for the lawsuits that are pretty certain to follow the redistricting fight this fall. The problem of drawing new electoral maps just became more complicated, moreover, because the Census Bureau now says demographic data will not be ready for release to the states until September 30, 2021. The timeline for Wisconsin (and all the other states, too, no doubt) will be seriously compressed this year, making the use of the courts both more likely and more fraught. Republicans will draw gerrymandered maps, Governor Evers will veto them, and the courts will have to adjudicate, as they did in 2001, in 1991, and in earlier redistricting years. As it happens, our Fair Maps Team is meeting tonight, Tuesday, February 16, at 7:00pm CST to discuss how electoral maps are drawn. You can join in by signing up.

Our Criminal Justice Reform team is also holding a meeting this month with Julie Grace of the Badger Institute to discuss criminal justice policies. Although the Badger Institute is a conservative think tank, we can make common cause with conservatives around systematizing data about criminal justice practices so that people of all political persuasions can debate solutions for the problems the data reveal. One example of the kind of issue that arises is racial disparity in sentencing for felonies. Sign up to attend the Criminal Justice Reform meeting on February 23 at 6:30pm CST and help Wisconsin get better insights into its patterns and practices.

With the snowy conditions we are experiencing today, it may be hard for some people to get to their polling places to vote. Nevertheless, IT'S IMPORTANT TO VOTE IN EVERY ELECTION. Dig out if you can, and find your polling place and a sample ballot at myvote.wi.gov. Our votes today will determine who will be on the ballot for the April 6 election. We will be winnowing the field of seven in the race for Superintendent of Public Instruction. And to prepare yourself for the spring election, visit our page with a list of every race and candidate we know about.

You'll see in the Events list below, that fundraising and organizing for the 2022 elections are already under way. But don't skip over the special election for Senate District 13. Democrat Melissa Winker will be on the April 6 ballot, hoping to replace Scott Fitzgerald who formerly held the seat. She will be facing whichever Republican emerges from today's primary. And she really needs our help. So give her your support at her campaign kickoff event on Wednesday, February 17, at 6:00 pm.

And stay active in this lull between 2020 and 2022. We've learned to our detriment that staying engaged in the political arena — by voting, by writing postcards, by calling voters and elected officials, and by writing op-eds and letters to the editor — can make a difference. To learn how to be more effective at writing op-eds, for example, you should try an online clinic provided by The Progressive. Grassroots North Shore will be sending postcards with follow-up phone calls for the April 6 election. Stay tuned for our call to action! Meanwhile, if you can spare a dime or two, please donate to our postcard effort to help us purchase stamps.

EVENTS

Tue Feb 16, 2021

Spring Primary Election, 7am - 8pm
Your polling location
Polls are open from 7am to 8pm. You can find a sample ballot and your polling place at myvote.wi.gov. You can find information about candidates for Superintendent of Public Instruction at http://onyourballot.vote411.org/race-detail.do?id=23796769 And for Nicolet School board at http://onyourballot.vote411.org/race-detail.do?id=23756327&party=NP.

Peace Action Committee, 6:30pm - 6:30pm
Milwaukee City Hall, 200 E Wells St, Milwaukee
The Peoples Agenda: 1) Relief for the People 2) End Police Crimes & Down with White Supremacy 3) Defend Indigenous Sovereignty & Protect the Earth 4) End the Wars & No More Sanctions 5) Legalization for All & Abolish ICE, Sponsored by a Coalition of Community Groups: Freedom Road Socialist Organization - Wisconsin, Milwaukee Alliance Against Racist & Political Repression, Our Wisconsin Revolution, Party for Socialism and Liberation, Milwaukee Democratic Socialists of America and Peace Action WI.

Drinking Liberally Wauwatosa, 6:30pm - 9pm
Suspended
More information.

Code Pink: Capitol Calling Party on cutting the defense budget, 7pm - 8pm
Online
Join CODEPINK CONGRESS, our new campaign to mobilize co-sponsors and votes for peace legislation! On February 16, our Tuesday Capitol Calling Party will feature two special guests: Representatives Barbara Lee (D-CA13) and Mark Pocan (D-WI02), co-chairs of the Defense Spending Reduction Caucus. You do not want to miss this special opportunity to speak with members of Congress! RSVP now!

Gov. Evers Budget Address, 7pm - 7pm
Wisconsin Eye
Gov. Tony Evers will deliver his address on the 2021-23 biennial budget on WisEye.

Biden CNN Town Hall in MKE, 8pm - 8pm
Various
President Joe Biden will participate in a CNN town hall in Milwaukee, answering questions from Americans as the nation struggles to contain the coronavirus pandemic and jump start a troubled economy. Only invited persons will be in the audience. The town hall will air on CNN, CNN en Espanol, CNN International; stream live on the CNN.com homepage and across mobile devices via CNN's apps for iOS and Android. More information and more platforms to view it.

Wed Feb 17, 2021

On the Issues: Black Entrepreneurship, 12:15pm - 1:15pm
Online
"On The Issues" will present a virtual conversation with attorney Abim Kolawole, who is a leader in Northwestern Mutual's efforts to increase Black entrepreneurship.Click on the words "Watch Now" on the following webpage starting anytime after 12:15 p.m. on February 11 to view the program.

Refuel the Resistance, 6pm - 8pm
Suspended
Bounce Milwaukee is closed, including delivery and carryout, until the COVID-19 spread in our area is under control. More information.

Wis Senate Special Election Fundraiser, 6pm - 6pm
Zoom
On April 6, Democrat Melissa Winker will face one of the three Republican candidates now running to fill the vacancy in Senate District 13 (formerly held by Scott Fitzgerald). She is holding a virtual fundraiser, with a special guest, Senate Minority Leader Janet Bewley. Please help support her campaign to win a seat for Democrats in this special election — every dollar will help her get her message out to voters in the district. A Zoom link will be sent before the event. RSVP.

Info: Laughing Liberally MKE, 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Online
For information on the latest Laughing Liberally offerings go here.

Info: Southwest Region Dems Meeting, 7pm - 7pm
TBA
Southwest Dems (Region 5) cover Franklin, Greendale, Greenfield, Hales Corners, Milwaukee (Southwest), West Allis, West Milwaukee. For information on when a meeting may be held check here or contact [email protected].

Thu Feb 18, 2021

Educational Debt to Our Children, 7pm - 7pm
Zoom
Dr. Demond Means, consultant to Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, will give the fourth of eight presentations on the history and societal impact of race in America: "The Educational Debt We Owe to All of Our Children." Sponsored by the United Methodist Church of Whitefish Bay. Zoom link.

Sat Feb 20, 2021

Stand for Peace, 12pm - 1pm
92nd Street & North Avenue, Wauwatosa
Stand for Peace is resuming in-person events with masks and social distancing. Check for more information. Organized by Peace Action Wisconsin.

Fair Maps Coalition Training, 3pm - 4:30pm
Online
FMC's Carlene Bechen provides training for folks who want to present oral testimony at the PMC hearing on the 25th. Sign up.

Tue Feb 23, 2021

Birthday Celebration for Sen. Tammy Baldwin, 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Zoom
Senator Elizabeth Warren and Senator Chris Murphy will be joining Bradley Whitford to help celebrate Tammy's 59th birthday. This guest lineup is unbeatable— You won't want to miss this event! Join us for this celebration and Zoom trivia competition! Contribution Levels: Co-Host $1000 | Sponsor $590 | Patron $250 | Friend $100 | Guest $59. Get your ticket today.

Guns, Democracy, and the Insurrectionist Idea: Unpacking the Chaos at the Capitol, 6pm - 7pm
Zoom
Over the past few days, we have witnessed again the harrowing scenes from the U.S. Capitol, leaving us wondering, "How did this happen? How can we make sure it never happens again?" Join us for this important discussion. Sign up, and we'll send you the login information the day of the presentation. If you would like to purchase Josh's book prior to the presentation, please consider buying it through Amazon Smile and select WAVE Educational Fund as your charity of choice to support. To do this, use this link to start shopping. Click here to register to attend this free event.

Virtual Drinking Liberally MKE, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Zoom
Drinking Liberally MKE will get together on Zoom. More information.

Wed Feb 24, 2021

Virtual: Community Justice Council, 9:30am - 11am
Online
Milwaukee Community Justice Council Meeting of the Whole will have an Online/Virtual meeting. More information.

Refuel the Resistance, 6pm - 8pm
Suspended
Bounce Milwaukee is closed, including delivery and carryout, until the COVID-19 spread in our area is under control. More information.

Chuck Todd on the State of Journalism, 6pm - 7pm
Zoom
The Milwaukee Press Club will host a virtual fundraising event featuring Chuck Todd, NBC news personality, for a discussion about the unprecedented challenges facing journalists today: fake news, bias and alternative facts in a nation that remains deeply divided by politics and skeptical of journalism; and social media vs traditional media. The cost is $20 for Milwaukee Press Club members and students and $25 for non-members. Registration.

Drinking Liberally Port Washington, 6:30pm - 8pm
Schooner Pub, 114 N Franklin St, Port Washington
TBA

Info: Drinking Liberally Glendale, 6:30pm - 9pm
TBA
For information on whether the event will take place, check here.

Thu Feb 25, 2021

Info: Mental Health Board Meeting, 8am - 8am
TBA
This meeting is posted as a Teleconference Meeting (see Agenda for details). Public Comment: none. More information.

The People's Maps Commission, 5:30pm - 7pm
Online
PMC travels virtually to the 6th CD. Tune in to watch, send written comments, and more. You need not be from the 6th CD to participate.

Restorative Health Equity, Reparations, 7pm - 7pm
Zoom
Curtis Marshall, Public Health consultant, will give the fifth of eight presentations on the history and societal impact of race in America: "Restorative Health Equity and Reparations: The Intersection." Sponsored by the United Methodist Church of Whitefish Bay. Zoom link.

Mandela Barnes Fundraiser with Eric Holder, 7 pm - 7:45 pm
Zoom
Lt. Governor Mandela Barnes will be joined by former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, one of the most prominent voices in the country on the critical issues of redistricting and the justice system, and Governor Tony Evers as they discuss the fight for fair maps and reform to our justice system. This event is a fundraiser for Mandela Barnes. Ticket contribution levels are $1,000, $500, $250, and $22. Zoom provided upon RSVP. RSVP.

Fri Feb 26, 2021

On the Issues: Reggie Moore on Violence in MKE, 12:15 pm - 1:15 pm
Online
"On The Issues" will present a virtual conversation with Reggie Moore, director of the Milwaukee Health Department's Office of Violence Prevention. How do we explain the surge in violence and homicide in Milwaukee during 2020 and what can be done to address it? Click on the words "Watch Now" on the following webpage starting anytime after 12:15 p.m. on February 11 to view the program.

Sat Feb 27, 2021

Community Brainstorming, 8 am - 11 am
Suspended
Community Brainstorming Conference will suspend its monthly breakfast forums until further notice. More information.

Stand for Peace, 12pm - 1pm
Oakland Avenue & North Avenue, Shorewood
Stand for Peace is resuming in-person events with masks and social distancing. Check for more information. Organized by Peace Action Wisconsin.

Sun Feb 28, 2021

Grassroots North Shore Annual Meeting, 7 pm 
Zoom
Celebrate Our Success! Hundreds of members of Grassroots North Shore made calls, sent texts, wrote and sent postcards, and distributed signs. We want to thank you while we lift our hearts with music and insights. RSVP.

Mon Mar 1, 2021

Virtual Drinking Liberally Waukesha, 6:30 pm 
Zoom
Drinking Liberally Waukesha may be held virtually with Zoom. Check for updates.