Hair on fire edition

Grassroots North Shore held a well-attended campaign kick-off rally in Doctors Park Sunday afternoon. The weather was gorgeous and the speakers were splendid. We had a recorded message from Governor Evers, a rousing speech by Attorney General Josh Kaul, addresses by our four Assembly District candidates — Deb Andraca (AD23), Darrin Madison (AD10), Bob Tatterson (AD24), and Dan Larsen (AD60) — with Mandela Barnes providing a inspiring closing. It all felt good: seeing old friends and new faces in person, shaking some hands, even giving and getting some hugs. (Also, later that evening, the Packers soundly beat Da Bears!) Almost a normal Sunday campaign event.

But we're not living in normal times. And it's vital that we heighten our awareness of the looming threats, explicit threats of political violence, both here in Wisconsin and in the wider country. For example, you may have thought that when Robin Vos fired Michael Gableman and shut down his ersatz "investigation" of the 2020 presidential election in Wisconsin, we were done with that scam. But we're not — and it is only getting worse. A headline in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel shows the MAGA Republicans moving from investigation to instigation: "Michael Gableman, who produced no evidence of 2020 election fraud in $1 million review, now suggests the country needs revolution" (JSO, 9/19/22). Here's the lead paragraph: "Former state Supreme Court Justice Michael Gableman told a group of Republicans this month that a revolution against government officials over the 2020 election has become necessary but said people have become too comfortable to water the 'tree of liberty' with blood." (Gableman, a whale of a man himself, goes on to blame "our comfort ... holding us back" from taking up revolution. In particular it is the obesity of the poor that is the "greatest challenge" to keeping an honest government through revolution!)

Gableman himself may be just a harmless, overweight blowhard. But TFG's embrace of the faithful QAnon followers at his rally in Ohio last Saturday shows all the signs of deep and dangerous trouble ahead. As the Guardian notes, the rally "was arguably the most visible display to date of Trump’s growing alignment to the far-right group, whose principles were championed by many in the violent mob of his supporters who overran the Capitol during the 6 January insurrection.

A joint report by the FBI and the homeland security department last year warned that QAnon members posed a significant threat of more violence, particularly because of growing disillusionment in unfulfilled predictions that Joe Biden would be removed from office." (Trump embraces QAnon at rally by playing music similar to its anthem, 9/19/22.)

It's vital to understand the historical roots of this phenomenon. Here's a brief account from the Guardian: "The Guardian’s 2020 explainer on QAnon also details the antisemitic pillars on which the cult is built. The idea of the all-powerful, world-ruling cabal comes straight out of the Protocols of the Elders of Zion, a fake document purporting to expose a Jewish plot to control the world that was used throughout the 20th century to justify antisemitism" (9/19/22).

It's scary bad right now. But hiding under the covers won't make it better. Instead we need to mount a counter-revolution. Not with riots. Not with weapons. Not with vitriol. But with victories through VOTES! We have a mere 49 days — until Election Day. And if Tony Evers loses to Tim Michaels, or Mandela Barnes loses to Ron Johnson, or if MAGA Republicans capture our state, Wisconsin will no longer have a recognizably representative democracy. Our bodily autonomy is threatened, our schools are threatened, our clean air and water are threatened, our healthcare is threatened, our freedoms — freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, freedom of dissent — are threatened. We cannot allow our state and our country to descend into essentially one-party rule.

That's why EVERYONE must do SOMETHING to help win these elections. Grassroots North Shore has organized FOUR ways to engage: handing out flyers; phoning Democrats; mime canvassing; and knocking on doors with the Democratic Party. You can find brief explanations of each of these activities on our 2022 Election Volunteer page where you can sign up for one or more of them. You will then be contacted by the lead organizer with specific information about when it will take place and instructions for you.

There are many other important things you can also do:

Become an election inspector (aka poll worker). If you live in Milwaukee County, you can apply to be an election inspector in the city. Start here. If you live in one of Milwaukee's suburbs, contact your municipal clerk and ask to be come an election inspector.
Join with the League of Women Voters to become an Election Observer.
Work with the Democratic Party of Wisconsin's Election Protection Team. Sign up to be a Poll Observer, a Voter Protection Phonebanker, or a Voter Assistance Hotline Volunteer.
Common Cause, a non-partisan organization, is also engaging in a voter protection effort.
Donate generously to Evers and Rodriguez, Kaul, Richardson, LaFollette, Barnes, Moore, Andraca, Larsen, Madison, Tatterson.

Lastly, contact 10 family members or friends. Talk to them about this election and how important it is to the future of our state and country. And then ask them to commit to contacting 10 other people to do the same. We're all more open to others' ideas and suggestions when they are people we know and trust.

Here endeth the lesson.

EVENTS

Tuesday, September 20

Letter Writing Workshop, 6:00 - 7:00pm
Online
A Free Virtual Workshop: Writing Letters to the Editor With Examples, Tips, and Issue Information Sheets, led by WisDems on-call writing expert Haley McCoy. The workshop will be a great place to meet Haley McCoy, who will also be available for any questions for the rest of the campaign. In the workshop, Haley will use sample letters and offer tips on how to write successful letters to the editor. She will also provide issue information sheets and talking points to help bolster your letters. Register.

Wednesday, September 21

Marquette Poll on Supreme Court, 5:00am - 11:59pm
Online
The new Marquette Law School Poll Supreme Court survey will report on national public opinion concerning the Court’s June rulings on abortion and on Second Amendment rights. Past decisions by the Court on same-sex marriage and federal statutory protection of LGBT rights against job discrimination are also the topics of survey questions. The survey also asks about upcoming cases concerning affirmative action in college admissions and whether business owners’ religious beliefs can appropriately justify refusing some services to gay people. The survey continues to examine public approval of how the Court is handling its job, confidence in the Court as an institution, views of the justices, public perception of the Court’s ideological balance, and perceptions of recent shifts on the Court. Available after 5:00am.

Oz Dems Monthly Meeting, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Ozaukee Democrats Office (1930 Wisconsin Avenue, Grafton)
We will meet in person at our Grafton office space. If you wish to attend virtually, look for the Zoom link in our weekly newsletter and/or Facebook. All members of the general public are welcome to attend our monthly meetings, but please note that only current members of the party may vote on party business.

Drinking Liberally Tosa, 6:30 – 9:00pm
Camp Bar Tosa, 6600 W North Ave, Wauwatosa
Drinking Liberally Tosa is returning in person. Meet old friends. Make new ones!

Thursday, September 22

Marquette Poll on Political Topics, 5:00am - 11:59pm
Online
The Marquette Poll will have results of a survey on public opinion across the country on abortion policy, student loan forgiveness, laws on concealed carry of handguns, political engagement, and favorability of a number of public figures, including President Joe Biden, former President Donald Trump, former Vice President Mike Pence, and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. The survey also looks at opinions about other potential 2024 presidential contestants. More information and online access. Available after 5:00am.

Oz Dems and LGBTQ Coalitions Event, 6:00 - 8:00pm
Cedar Creek Park
Join us for an event with the LGBTQ Coalition from the Democratic Party of Wisconsin. Hear from Lieutenant Governor candidate and current State Rep. Sara Rodriguez, State Assembly Candidate Bob Tatterson (AD 24), other local LGBTQ+ elected officials and organizers on how we can work together to make our communities a more welcoming place for everybody. Register here.

Voter Protection 101, 5:00 - 6:00pm
Virtual
Join our Wisconsin Voter Protection 101 Training to learn the basics of Wisconsin election law so you can help people exercise their right to vote, and learn how you can get involved protecting democracy in your community! Register.

Saturday, September 24

Canvassing with Ozaukee Dems, 9:00am - 12:00pm
Ozaukee County Dems Office, 1930 Wisconsin Ave, Grafton
Join the Oz Dems for our canvass this Saturday to talk to our neighbors about how critical the 2022 midterms are, in support of Democrats up and down the ticket in November! Sign up.

WIN MILWAUKEE, WIN WISCONSIN Rally, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Washington Park Senior Center, 4420 W. Vliet St, Milwaukee
Instead of our normal Monthly County Meeting, the Democratic Party of Milwaukee County will host Gov. Evers, Attorney General Josh Kaul, and other statewide candidates plus DPMC officers at a rally to get charged up. RSVP through our Facebook event. You must be vaccinated or provide a negative COVID test within the last 72 hours to attend the meeting. No exceptions.

Stand for Peace, 12:00 – 1:00pm
Cesar Chavez Drive & Greenfield Avenue, Milwaukee
Stand for Peace has resumed in-person events with masks and social distancing. Check for more information. Organized by Peace Action Wisconsin.

Fox Point Neighborhood Team Canvass, 12:00 - 3:00pm
Address provided with sign up
Join the Fox Point Neighborhood Action Team for a volunteer meetup and neighborhood canvass! Get to know other folks organizing in your neighborhood and learn more about how you can help elect Democrats up and down the ballot in November. We'll take some time to introduce ourselves, and then we'll head out to canvass voters in the neighborhood. First time canvassing? No problem! Our organizers will walk you through everything you need to know to reach out to your neighbors to get them out to vote in November. Sign up.

Whitefish Bay Get Out the Vote Canvassing, 12:30 - 3:30pm & 3:30 - 6:30pm
Address provided with sign up
Join the Whitefish Bay Neighborhood Action Team for door-to-door voter outreach. First time canvassing? No problem! Our organizers will walk you through everything you need to know to reach out to your neighbors to get them out to vote in November. This event repeats pretty much every Saturday until the election! Sign up.

Sunday, September 25

Grassroots Glendale Gets out the Vote!, 12:00 - 3:00pm
Address provided with sign up
Join the Grassroots Glendale Neighborhood Action Team for a Sunday (or three!) of door-to-door voter outreach. First time canvassing? No problem! Our organizers will walk you through everything you need to know to reach out to your neighbors to get them out to vote in November. This event repeats pretty much every Saturday until the election, but the times may vary because of the Packers game! Sign up.

Wednesday, September 28

Oz Dems Community Forum, 6:00 - 8:00pm
Saukville American Legion
Join Dan Larsen for a Community Forum/Town Hall at the Saukville Legion Hall. Ask Dan questions about the major issues facing our district and how we can work to make AD 60 and Wisconsin a place where everyone has the freedom to thrive, no matter your race, income, or background. Register here.