Yesterday was a mind-blowing news day, what with Fox firing Tucker Carlson and CNN firing Don Lemon. If you watched, listened or read any news Monday, you couldn't miss the bombshell from Fox News. It was everywhere with oodles of speculation about why Carlson was fired. I won't bother with links. Just Google it. The Lemon matter was hardly covered at all but still made a little noise. You can Google that one too. And maybe you learned the E. Jean Carrol's lawsuit against TFG is beginning with jury selection today. It will no doubt take up some air space in the weeks to come.
Meanwhile DA Fani Willis sent letters to law enforcement agencies in and around Atlanta to warn them that she will be announcing criminal indictments between July 11 and September 1, 2023. She wrote to give the agencies "sufficient time to prepare the Sheriff’s Office and coordinate with local, state and federal agencies to ensure that our law enforcement community is ready to protect the public" (Atlanta Journal-Constitution, April 24, 2023). She justified the early warning: "We have seen in recent years that some may go outside of public expressions of opinion that are protected by the First Amendment to engage in acts of violence that will endanger the safety of those we are sworn to protect. As leaders, it is incumbent upon us to prepare." It sure seems like she has someone in particular in mind.
But all the hubbub around the national press should not distract us from the urgent need to keep sharply focused on the constant GOP stratagems to rig our elections. As I mentioned last week, the April 4 election in Wisconsin featured record turnout, especially among college students. Here's a link to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel piece on April 13: Wisconsin college students voted in huge numbers for the 2023 spring election. What led to increase and will it continue?
Sure enough, a leading Republican lawyer, who also happens to be on the board of the Bradley Foundation here in Milwaukee, jumped right on it. It's a huge problem for the far right, of course, because these young people apparently don't seem inclined to vote for the current crop of Republicans. Our former governor Scott Walker thinks the problem lies in the way young people are "indoctrinated" presumably by the education system he worked so hard to undermine. ("On Fox, Former Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker says result of the state Supreme Court election is 'liberal indoctrination coming home to roost'.") But Cleta Mitchell, the aforementioned MAGA lawyer, wants to tackle the voting behavior of college students by, you know, making it impossible or at least harder for them to vote. Here are a few accounts of the "private" remarks she made to top GOP donors: a gifted link (to get you around their paywall) to the story in the Washington Post on April 20 titled "Top GOP lawyer decries ease of campus voting in private pitch to RNC." On the same day, and based on the Post's story, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel published "Bradley Foundation board member Cleta Mitchell bemoans college voting in private meeting with top GOP donors." MSNBC covered the story on Alex Wagner Tonight on April 22: "MAGA lawyer recorded while discussing ways to suppress the youth vote." (Skip the Alex Wagner video at the top of the post and read the blog post by Ja'han Jones.)
The attack on democracy, human rights, and our individual freedoms is pervasive and pernicious. What’s Next in Wisconsin, a sobering piece in the the Brennan Center for Justice's newsletter, looks at "how Wisconsin’s conservative state legislature might respond to Justice Protasiewicz’s win and the Wisconsin Supreme Court’s new liberal majority." From impeachment proceedings based on rulings MAGA Republicans don't like to "bills that target the court’s power or independence by, for example, stripping its jurisdiction or remedial powers," the legislature has several avenues to constrain the state's Supreme Court.
For the future of your personal pocketbook, here's the result of the Dominion defamation case: Fox Corp. and Fox News have been ordered to pay humongous amount of money to Dominion Voting Systems. But foxy Fox is now demanding that cable companies pay it more per customer to carry Fox on its basic cable system. In essence, Fox wants TV viewers to pay for its defamation costs! We do not have to stand for it. Call your cable provider to demand that they not raise the amount they pay Fox to carry its "news."
We do not yet have specific information about the special election to fill the Assembly seat in District 24. Once we have that information, Grassroots North Shore will be partnering with grassroots groups in Germantown and Menomonee Falls to work on the election. And I will be calling on you to get involved in all the usual activities: writing postcards, making follow-up calls, texting with the campaign of whoever runs (c'mon Bob Tatterson!), canvassing with the Democratic party. And with this election, we'll be trying something new: organizing a Driver Brigade to make canvassing in the district both easier and more fun. So stay tuned for announcements and pitch in when you can. (You can already to sign up to drive a canvasser.) It will be a turnout election and we stand a good chance of an upset here. There will be no incumbent and turnout will be especially low. That means every vote we get will really further our chances.
In the meantime, we're not just taking a vacation. Grassroots North Shore is partnering with the Democratic Party in a donation drive for kids' school supplies from May 1 to May 18. We'll be collecting notebooks, folders, crayons, markers, pencils, colored pencils, pens, erasers, glue sticks, highlighters, lined paper, and rulers. Drop items off at Shirley Horowitz's house at 4845 N Newhall St in Whitefish Bay or Andy Berger 's house at 7632 N Beach Drive in Fox Point. Andy will be hosting a gathering to celebrate the drive on Sunday May 21st. So hit those stores and/or scrounge in your homes for stuff to help kids thrive in school!
Also, the Democratic party is looking for canvassers ahead of the May 2 special election for Milwaukee County Supervisory District 14 (in the south part of the county). The party has endorsed Caroline Gómez-Tom and will be hosting canvasses our of the county party's office at 2999 S Delaware St. on Saturday, April 29: sign up for a shift at noon or at 3pm. There will also be two shifts on Tuesday, May 2 at noon and 3pm.
Today, President Biden announced that he will run for President in 2024. As if we didn't know already. Anyway, there will be ample time to chew over the pros, cons, whys, and wherefores in future newsletters.
EVENTS
Tuesday, April 25
Intro to VAN!, 4:30 - 5:30pm
1930 Wisconsin Ave, Grafton
Come to the OzDems headquarters for a VAN 101 training! Sign up.
Restorative Justice Series: Rehabilitating the Offender, 6:30 - 8:00pm
United Methodist Church, 819 E. Silver Spring Dr., WFB
Judge Mary Triggiano will examine how restorative justice can rehabilitate and reintegrate justice involved persons into society while also requiring them to accept responsibility for their actions and act to repair the harm they have caused. She will be joined by Adam Procell, Robyn Ellis and Jonisha Neita who will share their stories. Sponsored by: Bay Bridge Wisconsin; United Methodist Church of Whitefish Bay; MICAH; WISDOM; EXPO; The Community; From the Same Dust, a Baha'i Group, Bay Shore Lutheran Church, Christ Church Episcopal, Congregation Sinai, Interfaith Conference of Greater Milwaukee, Interfaith Restorative Practices Coalition LIVESTREAM will be available. Sign up. The next program in the series will take place on May 9 and will feature Janine Geske, Distinguished Professor and Director of the Andrew Center of Restorative Justice at Marquette University Law School.
Wednesday, April 26
Community Justice Council, 9:30 - 11:00am
Online
Milwaukee Community Justice Council Meeting of the Whole will have an Online/Virtual meeting. More information.
Joint Finance Committee Hearing, 10:00am - 5:00pm
Lakeland Union High School Theater, 9573 State Highway 70, Minocqua
Citizen Action invites you to participate. Governor Evers' state budget includes accepting the federal dollars to expand BadgerCare, which would give more than 90,000 Wisconsinites access to healthcare. Citizen Action of Wisconsin is demanding that the State Legislature keep this provision in their proposed budget as well as other key healthcare provisions. Join us to make this known at the various Joint Finance Committee hearings happening around the state. This is the perfect opportunity to spend the day with like minded friends and to make our wishes known that we want a healthier Wisconsin that we all can thrive in. Sign up and tell us where you will be joining us and what role you would like to take to build power. Find more information at the official JFC website. https://legis.wisconsin.gov/topics/budgetcomments/
Making Congress Work in a Divided Nation, 12:00 - 1:00pm
Online
What can we learn about bipartisan collaboration from the congressional committee system? What steps must be taken to bring Congress into the digital age? What practical changes would make Congress more representative of the country as a whole? The Brennan Center will premiere a timely conversation about what it will take to make Congress work better. The virtual premiere of this previously recorded event will include a live text chat Q&A with Maya Kornberg, author of Inside Congressional Committees: Function and Dysfunction in the Legislative Process. SPEAKERS: Adam Kinzinger, Former Representative, IL-16th District; Senior Political Commentator, CNN // Maya Kornberg, Research Fellow, Brennan Center Elections and Government Program; Author of Inside Congressional Committees: Function and Dysfunction in the Legislative Process // Daniel Strauss, Senior Political Correspondent, New Republic // Moderator: Mike Spahn, Partner, Precision Strategies. RSVP.
Protest for Sensible Gun Regulation, 5:00 - 6:00pm
517 E Wisconsin Ave, Milwaukee
join the Milwaukee School Social Work Association as we demand sensible gunlegislation and "chalk the walk" at Senator Ron Johnson's office. Bring Signs! Come fight for the lives of our children.
Thursday, April 27
Mental Health Board Meeting, 9:00 - 10:00am
Teleconference
This is a teleconference meeting (see Agenda for details). More information.
Volunteer for Seniors 2023 - Senior Food Delivery, 11:00am - 1:00pm
Address available after sign up
Every Thursday we need your help delivering groceries to seniors in need. All volunteers need is a car, phone, and PPE to complete the deliveries. Arrive at the volunteer location at your chosen time slot for a quick training and then help us with 6 to 8 deliveries. Shifts are 2 - 3 hours. Shifts begin every half hour beginning at 11:00am. The last shift begins at 12:30pm. Sponsored by My Block, My Hood, My City. Volunteer!
Saturday, April 29
1st CD Dems Convention, 9:30am - 2:30pm
United Auto Workers Local 95 Hall, 1795 Lafayette Street, Janesville
Please join us for our Congressional District 1 convention. Sign up.
Stand for Peace, 12:00 - 1:00pm
Water and St. Paul, Milwaukee
Stand for Peace demonstrates for peace at a different intersection in Milwaukee County every Saturday. Join us.
Get Out the Vote for Caroline Gómez-Tom, 12:00 - 6:00pm
2999 S Delaware St, Milwaukee
Come join us as we help get the vote out for Caroline Gómez-Tom for Milwaukee County Supervisor! We will be launching canvasses at 12pm and 3pm from the Milwaukee County Democratic Party office in Bay View. Sign up.
Sunday, April 30
Virtual Phone Bank to Register Voters, 5:00 - 7:00pm
Zoom
The work for 2024 begins now! Join us to register voters in WI.No experience necessary - we'll have training at every phone bank and coaches to support you every step of the way. When you join the phone bank please make sure your first and last name are under your zoom face. Please join us on Zoom 5 minutes before the phone bank. You’ll need either a computer or laptop or iPad and phone. If you need Zoom training or have any questions, contact us at [email protected]. Sign up.
Monday, May 01
A DAY WITHOUT LATINX AND IMMIGRANTS, 11:00am - 5:00pm
Voces Milwaukee office, 1025 S 5th St, Milwaukee
May Day 2023 will include a mass march from the Voces Milwaukee office to the Milwaukee downtown DMV office located at 819 N. 6th Street. After a rally at the DMV, we will end with a community celebration at Zeidler Park at 301 W. Michigan Street with music, food, children’s games, and informational tables. The total route is 2 miles, please prepare and dress appropriately.
Tuesday, May 02
Special Election for Milwaukee County Supervisory District 14, 7:00am - 8:00pm
Your polling place
Visit MyVote to check to see if you reside in this District. Please go to Vote411.org to see the candidate’s responses to non partisan questions from the League of Women Voters of Milwaukee County.
Get Out the Vote for Caroline Gómez-Tom, 2:00 - 8:00pm
2999 S Delaware St, Milwaukee
Come join us as we help get the vote out for Caroline Gómez-Tom for Milwaukee County Supervisor! We will be launching canvasses at 2pm and 5pm from the Milwaukee County Democratic Party office in Bay View. Sign up.
Tuesday, May 09
Bay Bridge Restorative Justice Series, 6:30 - 8:00pm
Untied Methodist Church of Whitefish Bay, 819 E Silver Spring Dr, WFB
Healing the Survivor and Community with Janine Geske, Director of the Andrew Center of Restorative Justice and Distinguished Professor of Law at Marquette University of Law School. She will discuss how restorative justice can bring healing to victims and survivors and repair relationships and communities impacted by crime. Sponsored by: Bay Bridge Wisconsin; United Methodist Church of Whitefish Bay; MICAH; WISDOM; EXPO; The Community; From the Same Dust, a Baha'i Group, Bay Shore Lutheran Church, Christ Church Episcopal, Congregation Sinai, Interfaith Conference of Greater Milwaukee, Interfaith Restorative Practices Coalition. LIVESTREAM will be available.
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