Now that the fate of Wisconsin’s voting maps lies in the hands of a highly partisan Wisconsin Supreme Court, and we continue to watch what feels like a slow-rolling and continuing insurrection against the integrity of our system of government, it is all too tempting to simply withdraw in despair. So I want to begin this newsletter with a quote from Bryan Stevenson, lawyer, social justice activist, founder/executive director of the Equal Justice Initiative, and a law professor at NYU Law School.

Hope is Our Superpower

“It’s not a pie in the sky hope, it’s not a preference for optimism over pessimism. It’s just an orientation of the spirit. I think we have to be willing to believe things we haven’t seen. That’s our superpower … I think hopelessness is the enemy of justice. I think injustice prevails where hopelessness persists. And so, hope is our requirement, it’s our superpower.”

Don’t Miss Our Annual Fundraiser

This LIVE virtual event on Sunday, December 5 at 7 pm features Jill Wine-Banks, MSNBC Contributor and Legal Analyst, and former Assistant Watergate Special Prosecutor. You can RSVP here. 

 Do you value our weekly newsletter, events and impassioned political work? Are you familiar with our role in the success of the 2020 elections and development of the North Shore Fair Maps Team? Then please consider a contribution of $100, $200, $250 or higher. We need your support to continue our work as we enter the critical 2022 elections to re-elect Governor Tony Evers, Attorney General Josh Kaul, State Assembly Rep. Deb Andraca, and more. Grassroots North Shore was instrumental in their elections in 2018 and 2020, and will be again.

 Why do we fundraise? Each year we hold one event to invite your support for our year-round work. Our annual budget of $20,000 covers our office rent, utilities, supplies, electronic communications and the many activities we offer to keep our supporters well-informed. Our revenue comes from memberships, general donations and this fundraiser. Your donation enables us to be an impactful progressive voice in our region and the State of Wisconsin.

 If you have already RSVPd, you can click here to make your donation. 

Or if you prefer, you may send a check to: Grassroots North Shore, 5600 W. Brown Deer Road, #116, Brown Deer, WI 53223.

Grassroots North Shore is the largest progressive, all volunteer grassroots organization in Wisconsin. We are proud to mark over 17 years of activism. Your contribution goes directly toward our operations, events, and issues/election work.

Our thanks to all of you who have already registered and donated. We appreciate your support! 

Ginny Goode, on behalf of the Grassroots North Shore leadership and fundraising team

Background on our featured speaker, Jill Wine Banks

Ms. Banks hails from Chicago. She has been a pathbreaker and smasher of glass ceilings throughout her career. She was one of the first women to serve in the organized crime division of the US Dept. of Justice in the early 1970s. During the Watergate scandal she served on the staff of prosecutor Leon Jaworski, and cross-examined Nixon’s secretary Rose Mary Woods about the infamous 18.5  minute gap in Nixon’s tapes. In 1977 she was the first woman appointed to serve as General Counsel of the Army. We will share more about Ms. Wine Bank’s later career and current contributions in other communications. In the meantime, check out her podcast, #SistersInLaw. https://politicon.com/podcast-title/sisters-in-law/

GET YOUR UNDERGROUND BEER HERE!

You may have heard something about Kirk Bangstad – with his billboards against TomTiffany and Ron Johnson, and his lawsuits against school boards without mask mandates. But have you heard about the special beers brewed by his company, Minocqua Brewing Company?

Kirk has had a hard time continuing operations due to a backlash against his politics – especially his special beers: Evers Ale, Made With Science and a Steady Hand; Tammy Shandy, One of Wisconsin's Many Treasures; Bernie Brew, A Lovingly Irascible and Democratic Socialist Lager; 'la, A Vice Presidential Stout. 

Now these beers have become even harder to find because most beer distributors in Wisconsin won’t stock them. Where is a good Progressive to go for these special offerings? Kirk is doing his best by delivering directly to stores, but we decided to give him a boost.

Grassroots North Shore has a pre-fundraiser offer: For donations of $200 or more by November 30,  donors receive a 4-beer sampler delivered to their homes (while supplies last – at last count, we had enough for the first 15 donations).

We hope you will enjoy this special offer whether it is before, during, or after our Evening with Jill Wine-Banks on Sunday, December 5 at 7 pm. Our thanks go to Nancy Kaplan for donating the beer purchases and to Mark Stevens for finding and securing the beer.

 A Brief Peak at the 2022 Electoral Season

The often obscure and sleepy spring primary to nominate nonpartisan candidates will be on Tues., Feb. 15, 2022. These candidates for judicial, educational, and municipal officers, and non-partisan county officers will appear on the ballot of the April 5 election. In case you thought these primaries and elections don’t really matter, the recent Mequon-Thiensville school board recall election serves as a stark reminder of their importance to our communities. The fall primary for partisan statewide offices will be on Tues., Aug. 9, 2022. There is likely to be a heated primary for US Senator (for the Democrats), for Governor (for Republicans), for Attorney General (for Republicans), and for Lieutenant Governor (both parties). The general election will be held on Tues., Nov. 8.

Although Ron Johnson has yet to declare his candidacy, it remains a real possibility. Despite his under-water approval rating, there is no doubt that the Senate race will be exceedingly competitive. The Cook Political Report currently rates the race as a toss-up. And of course the Democrats will confront the well-known headwinds of the party of the President in the midterms. We all know the high stakes of the Governor’s race, as our only protection against the extreme policies of the Republican legislature. Wisconsin is truly a purple state. But our political geography, with Democrats clustered in a relatively small number of urban areas, gives an advantage to the spatially distributed Republican electorate – even if we succeed in defeating the GOP gerrymander which exacerbates that advantage. The stakes will be high, and our grassroots activism will be essential to get out the vote.

EVENTS

Tue Nov 16, 2021

Lunch & Learn, 12 pm - 1 pm
Zoom
LWVMC sponsors a free, virtual gathering on the third Tuesday of each month. We build friendship and inspire action to work together to influence public policy, meeting basic human needs in Milwaukee County. We follow the lead of Black and Brown women, choosing to be better rather than bitter in 2021.

JOIN USING ZOOM LINK BELOW:
https://zoom.us/j/96398188822?pwd=UEpMaDc4azFVV0lFOTNFRXpIcmFXQT09 

US SENATE CANDIDATE FORUM,  6 pm -  8 pm
Online
Citizen Action will present a forum with current Wisconsin candidates for US Senate, including Mandela Barnes, Sarah Godlewski, Tom Nelson, Alex Lasry, and Gillian Battino. Attendees will have the opportunity to provide their feedback on their preferred candidate. A link will be sent after registration. 

RSVP: https://secure.everyaction.com/uU0kofwtn0yNvVS8ZBOj-Q2

Fri Nov 19, 2021

US Senate Virtual Candidate Forum,  7 pm 
online
Questions for the candidates can be submitted at the following link and must be in by November 14: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe3mbFwFmRCiG5D_LWP4XXUITusFbkK4-OBvMBI6v9pe1BObA/viewform

Sat Nov 20, 2021

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 Peace Action Wisconsin, Peace/Conflict Committee.

Wed Nov 24, 2021

Natural Resources Committee, 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
online

You are invited to get involved with the LWVMilwaukee Natural Resources Committee which meets generally on the 4th Wednesday of the month (except November and December) either at various locations or by Conference Call.

• For more information or to request notification of upcoming meetings & agendas, contact the Natural Resources Committee:

Thurs Nov 25, 2021

Author: Voices of Milwaukee Bronzeville, 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Boswell Book Company, 2559 N. Downer Ave., Milwaukee, 53211 or online
Boswell Books will present Sandra E Jones, author of a new book that captures the history and spirit of Milwaukee’s Bronzeville: its businesses, places of worship, entertainment, and feeling of community. Masks are required.

In-person registration: 
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sandra-e-jones-author-of-voices-of-milwaukee-bronzeville-at-boswell-tickets-176604899007

Virtual registration: 
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_YUGU42gxThmMY1idHu2nMg

Fri Nov 26, 2021
 
US Senate Virtual Candidate Forum,  7 pm
online
The 4th CD & Milwaukee County Democratic Party will host a virtual US Senate Candidates Forum. Questions for the candidates can be submitted at the following link and must be in by November 14:
 
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe3mbFwFmRCiG5D_LWP4XXUITusFbkK4-OBvMBI6v9pe1BObA/viewform
 
Registration for forum:https://milwaukeedems.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=600bc74bde4e1da639534576c&id=bbda897be2&e=edf847f8e3ate-Forum

Sat Nov 27, 2021

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

Mon Nov 29, 2021

Police Policy and Practice Reform Cmte Mtg, 4:30 pm - 6:00 pm
online

The Police Policy and Practice Reform Committee advocates locally to support reforms in policing and police governance, and to enhance knowledge and engagement with respect to police-related matters within the League and the broader community. To achieve these ends, we research the issues; listen to and, when feasible, participate in official meetings; bring in outside speakers, and share ideas at meetings. When appropriate, we ally with like-minded community groups and encourage League members not on the committee to join in our efforts.

Contact [email protected] to learn more.

Wed Dec 1, 2021

Drinking Liberally Waukesha,  6 pm
Club 400, 322 Williams St., Waukesha
The meeting has moved to Club 400 as the weather becomes colder and will be in the upstairs bar area.  All attendees should be vaccinated and wear masks when not actively eating or drinking.

More information: https://livingliberally.org/chapter/wi/waukesha_111917

BeSmart Virtual Presentation,  7:00 pm 
online
MOMS DEMAND ACTION BeSmart Virtual Presentation.
A 30-minute framework that informs parents and caregivers on ways to keep children and teens safe from unintentional gun deaths and injuries. Register using this link 
https://act.everytown.org/event/beSMART-events/43009/signup/?source=&akid=&zip=

Sat Dec 4, 2021

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 Peace Action Wisconsin, Peace/Conflict Committee.

Sun Dec 5, 2021

Jill Wine-Banks: Will Democracy Survive?,  7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
online
Grassroots North Shore's annual fundraiser will feature the longtime respected legal analyst Jill Wine-Banks, who will speak about the ongoing erosion of democracy. Moderator Representative Evan Goyke will discuss our local situation with Representatives Deb Andraca and Jonathan Brostoff. The fundraiser will aid Grassroots North Shore's progressive endeavors.

RSVP: https://www.grassrootsnorthshore.com/12052021_ev 

Tues Dec7, 2021

Virtual Public Issues Forum: Final-Five Voting Proposal for WI, 7:30 pm -  8:30 pm
online
Join us virtually to learn about a bipartisan proposal to implement Final-Five Voting (top-five primary and instant runoff general election) for Wisconsin’s Congressional elections.  Presenter Sara Eskrich, Executive Director of  Democracy Found (www.democracyfound.org), will describe how her group's proposal aims to reinvigorate our democratic system by applying business competition theories to politics.  It is sure to be provocative and thought-provoking.

Topic: LWVMC Public Issues Forum: Final-Five Voting Proposal for Wisconsin Congressional Elections
Time: Dec 7, 2021 07:30 PM Central Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81462407753
Meeting ID: 814 6240 7753
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