I'm taking the liberty of beginning this week's newsletter with a plea for help. Grassroots North Shore is sending out 10,800 postcards this week and next. And that's a good thing. But it takes several nudges to turn out a voter. And in a low turnout election, EVERY SUPPORTER WE TURN OUT REALLY MATTERS. That's why we follow up postcards with phone calls. To make 10,800 calls in a little more than three weeks takes a lot of people phoning. THAT MEANS WE NEED YOU: sign up to volunteer to make phone calls ahead of the election. Or email me directly: [email protected]. The calls go quickly: generally few people answer the phone so we leave voicemails or texts when we can.
I mentioned this action in last week's newsletter but there's a lot more to say about it: Boycott Big Box Stores this Friday Feb 28. The People's Union USA asks consumers not to spend any money at major retailers on Friday as a protest against large corporations that have dissolved DEI initiatives. Forbes has a list of the large corporations that have "obeyed in advance" by discontinuing their Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs.
The 'No-Spending Day’ (aka Economic Blackout) focuses on major retailers — Amazon, Walmart, Ford, Lowe’s, Best Buy, Harley-Davidson, Coke, Pepsi, etc. — from midnight this Thurs, Feb. 27 to midnight Fri, Feb. 28. For absolutely necessary purchases, buy from small local businesses only. Organizers at The People’s Union write: "Do not shop online or in-store. Do not spend money on fast food or gas. Do not use credit or debit cards for anything but essential items. (Food, medicine, emergency supplies.) If you must spend, support small local businesses." AND SPREAD THE MESSAGE: talk about it, post about it, and especially document your actions that day.
Even Canada has heard! And at least some Canadians are joining in. The post includes information about future boycotts in the planning stages. These are narrowly targeted and most are lengthy. Stay tuned for more information about them.
- March 7 - 14: Amazon
- March 21 - 28: Nestlé
- April 7 - 14: Walmart
- April 18: Economic Blackout # 2
- April 21 - 28: General Mills
The Economic Blackout reminds us that we ordinary Americans have at least TWO kinds of power. The first, of course, is our votes. In Wisconsin, our next opportunity to wield that power is to turn out to elect Judge Susan Crawford to the Supreme Court and to re-elect Dr. Jill Underly as Superintendent of Public Instruction. You can do your part by going to Mobilize.us/wisdems to find canvass and Reach opportunities for the election. If you can't canvass, phone.
The second power is economic. Boycotts and other targeted economic actions — like withholding work for a day as Latinos have done, or ceasing to buy grapes in support of efforts to unionize farmworkers 50 some years ago — have a long history in this country. Alert others to this effort to restore corporate DEI initiatives and ask your friends and colleagues both to participate in the No-Spending Day and to alert others too. Both kinds of power rely on organizing masses of people to participate.
Nationally, The Guardian reports, the Washington Post is now a mouthpiece for the libertarian right wing. Its owner, Jeff Bezos, has announced that henceforth the opinion section will "be writing every day in support and defense of two pillars: personal liberties and free markets. We’ll cover other topics too of course, but viewpoints opposing those pillars will be left to be published by others. There was a time when a newspaper, especially one that was a local monopoly, might have seen it as a service to bring to the reader’s doorstep every morning a broad-based opinion section that sought to cover all views. Today, the internet does that job.” If you STILL have a paid subscription to the Post, UNSUBSCRIBE. As one Daily Kos writer put it, Bezos and Washington Post go full fascist. Also, the opinion editor has either quit or been fired.
Let me end with an extensive quotation from Governor Pritzker from the end of his State of the State address (Chicago Tribune):
"I’m watching with a foreboding dread what is happening in our country right now,” he said, referring to efforts to eliminate diversity programs and marginalize people on the basis of their race, ethnicity or sexual preference. “The authoritarian playbook is laid bare here: They point to a group of people who don’t look like you and tell you to blame them for your problems.”
"It took the Nazis one month, three weeks, two days, eight hours and 40 minutes to dismantle a constitutional republic.
"All I’m saying is when the five-alarm fire starts to burn, every good person better be ready to man a post with a bucket of water if you want to stop it from raging out of control,” he said. “If we don’t want to repeat history, then for God’s sake in this moment we better be strong enough to learn from it."
TAKE ACTION
Wisconsin Public Education Network: Celebrating Wisconsin public schools all week long! Feb. 24-28 is a time to put our appreciation into ACTION as we join this national celebration of the public schools that unite our communities. Here are two things you can easily do to participate:
- Sign the petition: Close Wisconsin's special education funding gap! If you're like most voters in Wisconsin, you've probably noticed more and more school referenda on your ballots - and your rent and property tax bills going up. One of the biggest reasons for this is the fact that the state legislature has been underfunding preK-12 public education for over 15 years, forcing local school districts to go to referendum again and again. The good news is that in the 2025-26 State Budget, we have a chance to significantly reduce the need for operating referendums going forward with one simple law change - closing the Special Education Funding Gap.
- Join the Statewide DAY OF ACTION February 28 in Madison. Bring school referenda yard signs with you to the Capitol — event begins at 11:30am at the State Capitol. Register.
League of Women Voters Vote No Toolkit
"Wisconsin voters will be asked one question to amend (change) the constitution on their April ballot. This amendment, the sixth proposed by the legislature in the last year, is another example of the legislature attempting to bypass the authority of the executive and judicial branches through the constitutional amendment process, while denying voters the ability to propose their own citizen-led ballot initiatives." Go to the Toolkit.
International Women's Day — Unite & Resist in Milwaukee
Rally on March 8 at 11:00am in Red Arrow Park, 920 N Water St, Milwaukee. This International Women’s Day, let’s build and strengthen the relationships we’ll need to face what’s ahead—together. Whether it’s a local protest, a community meeting, block party, rally, potluck, BBQ, or a casual coffee meetup, the goal is the same: connect with your neighbors, build community, and create the networks we’ll need to resist fascism and the takeover of our freedoms. On International Women’s Day, we’re taking to the streets against the attacks on women. Join us to defend our rights, our democracy, and our future. All are welcome at this peaceful protest!Sign Up.
Write letters to Wisconsin Voters with Vote Forward. Vote Forward is excited to bring you the first letter writing campaigns of 2025, focused on the important upcoming race for Wisconsin’s next Supreme Court Justice. On April 1, 2025, Wisconsin voters will choose either Judge Susan Crawford or Judge Brad Schimel to join an open seat on the state Supreme Court. Though this race is nonpartisan, meaning that neither candidate is running as a member of a political party, Crawford is widely perceived to be aligned with liberals, and Schimel with conservatives. After the April 2023 Supreme Court election (for which Vote Forward letter writers wrote over 350,000 letters!), the Court’s balance shifted to a 4-3 liberal majority. This year’s election could either preserve the Court’s existing liberal ideological balance, or shift it to a 4-3 conservative majority.
Begin by creating an account at Vote Forward. The organization has extensive resources, including frameworks for the letters you will augment with a personal reason for voting. The letter-writing campaign is strictly nonpartisan and does not mention specific candidates. The goal is to increase turnout, especially in historically marginalized communities, in the spring election. Still Vote Forward is a left-leaning organization: "We also support partisan campaigns to encourage likely-Democratic voters to turn out in strategic states and districts." Have a look at their detailed instructionsInstructions and then Create an account to get started.
Congregation Sinai, Tikkun Ha-ir, WIVEC and Working Families Party are sponsoring a GOTV Digital Postcard Party at Congregation Sinai (8223 N. Port Washington Road in Fox Point) on Wednesday, March 5. Send postcards to encourage voters to show up for the critically important election in April and take action on the amendment. No writing required! Refreshments will be served. It's an IN PERSON EVENT. Working Families creates postcards with an app on a cell phone. The app allows you to find WI voters in your contacts list. Please RSVP.
EVENTS
Thursday, February 27
Join Working Families Party Webinar, 7:00am - 8pm
Virtual
Discuss how we can collectively fight back against Trump and Musk's agenda. The Working Families Party will be breaking down the latest developments in the courts, sharing how movements on the ground are pushing back, and, most importantly, talking about what we can do together. They’ll introduce a deeper report on the work of building Wolf Packs around the country — giving you a concrete way to plug in and be part of a real, grounded plan of action.
Get the inside scoop on how they’ve been turning up the heat on Republicans while they’re in-district — because direct action works and the pressure is already building. This is not just a call to stay informed — it’s a call to move. Hope comes from action, not waiting. Let’s build together. RSVP now to be a part of the conversation.
Friday, February 28
LWVMKE League Café, 10:00am - 12:00pm
TBD, check events page
League Café meets monthly and welcomes League members old and new, as well as community members. In a small group setting, we get to know each other better, share knowledge and have interesting conversations. In rotating months, we meet as a general discussion group, and in opposite months, convene as a book club to discuss noteworthy books on racial equity, immigration and/or voting.
ACLU Wisconsin: Advocating for Mothers and Young Children, 5:00 - 7:00pm
Milwaukee Youth Arts Center, 325 W. Walnut Street, Milwaukee
In June, we filed a lawsuit against the Wisconsin Department of Corrections for violating the law by refusing to allow incarcerated mothers to keep their families together. The DOC was supposed to start offering services and programs that allow incarcerated mothers to remain with their children in the least restrictive environment possible, but they have not offered any such opportunities to a single mother in 30 years.
Last Thursday, we learned that would change, as a Dane County Judge ruled in our favor and ordered the DOC to implement a mother-young child care program. This is a victory for not just incarcerated mothers, but also their children and families, who will all benefit from maintaining strong bonds with their families.
On Friday, February 28, we'll be coming together with ACLU staff, criminal legal reform advocates, and members of the community to talk about the case and what it means for justice-impacted families across Wisconsin. We'll also be screening a video from our ongoing storytelling project, which aims to uplift the experiences of incarcerated mothers. RSVP.
Saturday, March 1
Public Forum on Post-Election Reflections and DEI, 2:00 - 3:30pm
Summit Place, 6737 W. Washington St., West Allis
The League of Women Voters of Milwaukee County invites the public to participate in “Post–Election Reflections: Empowering Voters, Protecting Civil Rights and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI)” with presenter Karen Nelson, DEI Consultant, Nelstar Enterprises LLC. Use the Visitor Parking Lot and Visitor entrance to attend. The event is free and open to the public, but registration is requested. Register Here.
Monday, March 3
Voter Registration/Information Table at UWM, morning and evening shifts
UWM Library
Milwaukee Voter Project (formerly known as Supermarket Legends) is looking for volunteers to help staff the effort to provide Voter Registration and Voter Information at UWM. The event will repeat on Tuesday, March 4. To sign up, email Sue Schneidler and let her know whether you want to sign up for a morning shift, an afternoon shift or both and which day (March 3 or March 4) you can work.
Event for Judge Crawford, 5:30 - 7:00pm
Address upon RSVP
Join Senator Jodi Habush Sinykin at the Wisconsin Association for Justice (WAJ) Justice Fund to support Judge Susan Crawford. The WAJ, the Trial Lawyers Association, has endorsed her. In her invitation, Senator Habush Sinykin writes, "Judge Susan Crawford’s success is crucial for Wisconsin’s future. This race will impact critical issues including the preservation of fair maps, reproductive freedoms, voting rights and environmental protections. With Brad Schimel’s candidacy threatening to take Wisconsin backward, it is imperative that we raise awareness and stand together in support of Judge Susan Crawford." Please RSVP.
How to Stop MAGA From Taking Away Our Vote, 7:00pm CST
Virtual
Red Wine & Blue is presenting this program to engage us to defeat the SAVE Act (Safeguard American Vote Eligibility), a vile that would require that everyone present proof of citizenship – a birth certificate or a passport – in person in order to register to vote. The SAVE Act is a threat to our most central civil right – the right to vote – but not many people know about it. It is especially pernicious in the way it would impact married women who have taken their husband's name. But their birth certificate of course shows their maiden name! If the bill becomes law it could prevent 69 million women from voting! RSVP.
Save Democracy in Wisconsin with Swing Blue Alliance, 6:00 - 8:00pm
Virtual
The State Supreme Court Race in Wisconsin is the most important election of 2025. On April 1st, Judge Susan Crawford will face Scott Walker’s former Attorney General to fill an open seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court. It is critical to protect the 4-3 pro-democracy majority we helped achieve in 2023 when Wisconsinites elected liberal Judge Janet Protasiewicz. Since 2023, Wisconsin has enacted fair state legislative maps and re-elected Tammy Baldwin to the US Senate.
We'll be calling Democrats to let them know about the State Supreme Election on April 1. We are working directly with the Wisconsin Democrats and will use Hubdialer, an automated dialing system. Callers will get full training every session, and help with questions and any technical problems for the duration of the phone bank and a debrief to share experiences and create community. All you need is a phone and a computer (PC, Mac, or laptop, not a tablet). Sign up.
Tuesday, March 4
Newsmaker Luncheon with Susan Crawford 11:45am - 1:15pm
Milwaukee County War Memorial Center, 750 N Lincoln Memorial Dr, Milwaukee
Dane County Circuit Judge Susan Crawford, who is seeking election to the Wisconsin Supreme Court, will be the guest speaker at a Newsmaker luncheon hosted by the https://milwaukeepressclub.org/">Milwaukee Press Club, WisPolitics.com and the Rotary Club of Milwaukee. Crawford will take questions from a panel of journalists and from the audience at the event: Alison Dirr (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel), Emilee Fannon (CBS 58 News) and Matt Smith (WISN 12 News). Registration deadline is Thursday, February 27. Seating is limited. Advanced registration and payment are required and may be done online.
Voter Registration/Information Table at UWM, morning and evening shifts
UWM Library
Milwaukee Voter Project (formerly known as Supermarket Legends) is looking for volunteers to help staff the effort to provide Voter Registration and Voter Information at UWM. The event will repeat on Tuesday, March 4. To sign up, email Sue Schneidler and let her know whether you want to sign up for a morning shift, an afternoon shift or both and which day (March 3 or March 4) you can work.
Wednesday, March 5
GOTV Digital Postcard Party, 7:00 - 8:30pm
Congregation Sinai, 8223 N Port Washington Rd, Fox Point
Join Tikkun Ha-Ir, Sinai Social Justice Team, WIVEC, and Working Families Party for a GOTV postcard party. We will fill out digital postcards to help mobilize members of our community for the Wisconsin Supreme Court race. No writing is necessary, the postcards are all digital! Refreshments will be provided and all are welcome to participate! Register.
Thursday, March 6
Voter Protection 101 Training, 5:00 - 6:00pm
Virtual
Join our Wisconsin Voter Protection 101 Training to learn about Wisconsin election law so you can help people exercise their right to vote. We'll cover election law basics, voter registration, and available resources, as well as how you can get involved protecting democracy in your community! Sign up.
Monday, March 10
Support Susan Crawford with the Wisconsin Democratic Party Jewish Caucus , 6:00 - 7:00pm CDT
Virtual
This race is so important that it has attracted unwanted attention from UNelected president Elon Musk, who is pouring his own money into ads for Judge Crawford's opponent (Brad Schimel), just as he did to boost Trump's presidential campaign. Which makes the election a MUST WIN for Susan Crawford, for Wisconsin, and for democracy. RSVP now and stay tuned for our special guest announcement! Once you've signed up, you'll receive the Zoom link by email.
Save Democracy in Wisconsin with Swing Blue Alliance, 6:00 - 8:00pm
Virtual
The State Supreme Court Race in Wisconsin is the most important election of 2025. On April 1st, Judge Susan Crawford will face Scott Walker’s former Attorney General to fill an open seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court. It is critical to protect the 4-3 pro-democracy majority we helped achieve in 2023 when Wisconsinites elected liberal Judge Janet Protasiewicz. Since 2023, Wisconsin has enacted fair state legislative maps and re-elected Tammy Baldwin to the US Senate.
We'll be calling Democrats to let them know about the State Supreme Election on April 1. We are working directly with the Wisconsin Democrats and will use Hubdialer, an automated dialing system. Callers will get full training every session, and help with questions and any technical problems for the duration of the phone bank and a debrief to share experiences and create community. All you need is a phone and a computer (PC, Mac, or laptop, not a tablet). Sign up.
Tuesday, March 11
Astor Street Regulars, noon
Wisconsin Club, 990 W Wisconsin Ave, Milwaukee
Attorney Marc Christopher, who practices Immigration and Criminal Law, will speak on The Mass Migrant Deportation Campaign in Wisconsin. In today’s political upheaval, individuals and families who are undocumented live in frightening, uncertain, traumatic situations. Rumors abound about mass deportations, ICE activities, speculation about the future, and the status of thousands of allegedly missing migrant children.
Reporting on how undocumented people are being treated in Wisconsin is sketchy. Our guest is attorney Marc Christopher who specializes in criminal and immigration law. He is a former assistant district attorney with years of experience in criminal and immigration court cases. Marc can help us understand what is happening in Wisconsin to individuals and families who are in danger of losing their ability to be in this country. Join us for insight into how Wisconsinites are coping with threats to their way of life, and how institutions and individuals are fighting back.
Lunch is $35 cash preferred, pay at the door. RSVP by Wednesday, March 5th, to Phyllis Bankier. (If the link does not open an email on your system, try using her email address directly: [email protected]. It will be helpful to her if you use the subject line "Re:Astor Street March 11 understanding migrant deportation.") As always, we hold you to your reservation as we are charged for all lunches not canceled 5 days before the event.
Save the Date
Saturday, March 22
4th Congressional District Convention, 12:00 - 3:00pm
McGovern Senior Center, 4500 W Custer Ave, Milwaukee
It’s almost time for our 4th Congressional District Convention! I’m looking forward to seeing you all and am anticipating another successful event. Be on the lookout for the official Call to Convention, which will be sent out soon. If you need to renew your membership, please do so via the following link: Renew your membership here.
Sunday, March 23
Democratic Party of Milwaukee County's Annual Gala "Forward Together," 5:30 - 8:30pm
Italian Community Center, 631 E. Chicago Street, Milwaukee
Please join us this spring for the Milwaukee County Dems Annual Gala: Forward Together! RSVP. Please RSVP names and dietary needs by March 5th to [email protected].
other important links
Become a Member of Grassroots North Shore
|
Milwaukee County Democratic Party |
| Ozaukee County Democratic Party | |
Showing 1 reaction
Sign in with