We MUST WIN this one

It's down to the two minute warning (that's football, you know). But really that's where we are in this election cycle. If you've been waiting to DO SOMETHING, now would be the time. Here are the most important things you can do.

Vote early in-person before 5pm on March 28. Voting early banks your vote, makes sure you don't miss the chance to vote because you come down with the flu or have an accident on your bike or with your car, and enables you to something else useful, like handing out flyers on the UWM campus Monday, March 31, and Tuesday, April 1.Volunteer to leaflet on the campus here.
CANVASS or volunteer to drive someone who is canvassing (you can just show up at the staging location and then say why you are there):
- Get Out the Vote in Shorewood! Saturday, March 29
- Get Out the Vote in Whitefish Bay! Saturday, March 29, Sunday, March 30 and more
- Get Out the Vote in Glendale! Saturday, March 29, and Sunday, March 30
- Get Out the Vote in Fox Point and Bayside! Saturday, March 29, Sunday, March 30 and more
- Get Out the Vote in Northwest MKE and Brown Deer! Saturday, March 29, Sunday, March 30 and more
- Get Out the Vote in Mequon! https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/753371/
- Get Out the Vote in Germantown! March 22 & 23
- Get Out the Vote in Menomonee Falls! March 22 & 23
Make sure ALL your like-minded friends and colleagues know how important this election is to our state and our country. Give them a flyer to help sharpen the contrast between the candidates. And provide them with additional reasons to support Judge Crawford in this race. The links will open PDFs which you can save to your computer and then add as an attachment to emails and/or texts you send. Send the documents to at least 5 friends and colleagues. Then ask them to send the information on to at least 5 more people.
Sign up to join Indivisible Wisconsin's virtual texting party on Thursday, March 27 at 6pm Central Time. (Grassroots North Shore is an Indivisible group so sign up as one of us.) This textbanking opportunity is only open to Wisconsin Indivisibles, so you can engage key voters across the state on why you're mobilizing for Susan Crawford. No previous experience required — we'll provide a quick training before getting started!

I know you already know this, but I need to remind everyone again:MyVote.WI.gov is the place to go to check your registration status, find your early in-person voting location and your polling place — if you insist on voting on Election Day; and see a sample ballot for your community and the ward you live in. With a sample ballot, you can then do your own research about candidates, like those running for school boards, about which Grassroots North Shore may not have much information.

And if you're looking for even more information about why you need to vote FOR Susan Crawford and AGAINST Musk/Schimel, I have you covered. In the last few days, three reputable news outlets — the AP, the New York Times, and Mother Jones — have published articles to explore why Elon Musk is dumping $20 million into the race. The AP article's headline —The year’s first major political test in Wisconsin becomes a referendum on Elon Musk — pretty well sums up the gist of the piece. Musk is quoted at his online get-out-the-vote event on Monday, March 24: "It might not seem important, but it’s actually really important. And it could determine the fate of the country." It turns out that protecting a gerrymandered congressional map, currently in place, is of utmost importance because if the state had fair congressional maps, MAGA could lose the House of Representatives.

The New York Times takes a different angle. Its headline reads Why Elon Musk and Tesla Have a Legal Bone to Pick With Wisconsin. The article notes that the Wisconsin Supreme Court is likely to get a lawsuit Tesla filed just days before Musk began shoveling money into the race. It's a long piece detailing the state law that prohibits car companies from owning dealerships or in other ways making direct sales to customers. The case is currently in a court in Milwaukee County.

Mother Jones has the most revealing discussion. "Musk’s fear is that the [Wisconsin supreme] court, if it retains a progressive majority, will strike down the congressional lines that give Republicans a 6-2 advantage in the US House delegation." But it's not just the skewed maps in Wisconsin that trouble him. What's the underlying issue? A Democratic majority in the House "would allow Democrats to scrutinize the unprecedented role Musk is playing in shredding the federal government, accessing sensitive personal information on millions of Americans, and the $38 billion in federal funding his businesses receive." Personal power and of course greed are the key motives here: "Musk was essentially admitting that his spending spree in Wisconsin has nothing to do with the state itself, and everything to do with protecting his own power."

Although attending one ahead of the election is not a substitute for taking other actions — canvassing, talking to/emailing/texting friends, family and like-minded colleagues — there are a number of rallies taking place in the area that you could and should go to.

Join Judge Susan Crawford (12:00pm at 8405 W Lisbon Ave, Milwaukee), Working Families Power, SEIU Wisconsin, Women's March, and the Committee to Protect Health Care for a reproductive freedom rally with Judge Susan Crawford! The freedom to make decisions about our own bodies is on the ballot – we need a state Supreme Court justice who will protect our reproductive rights and freedom. RSVP.

Birds on a Wire is staging several outdoor gatherings. You don't need to sign up. Just show up. With your own signs — Birds on a Wire uses 20x30 foam boards from Dollar Tree — but the organization also has signs you can use. Here's the schedule:
        Friday, March 28, 4:30-6:00 pm, 76th St. & Morgan Ave. in Milwaukee;
        Sunday, March 30,12:00-1:30 pm, 84th St. & Layton Ave in Greenfield;
        Brewers Opening Day (a huge opportunity), Monday, March 31, 10:30am-12:30pm at Milwer Park Way and National Avenue. Street parking is available at SEIU, 633 S Hawley Rd. From there you can shuttle to the rally. Wear your Brewers gear. Bring signs or use the organization's.

It's time to show some real muscle. Jamelle Bouie has an interesting piece in today's New York Times: Trump and Musk Are Suffering From Soros Derangement Syndrome. Bouie has concluded that Trump and Musk simply don't believe (or purport not to believe) that real people — not actors or paid provocateurs — actually oppose what they are doing. Trump and his allies, he writes, are persuading themselves that their "opponents, somehow, do not really exist." We need to show them otherwise. And the only way to do that is to turn out in massive numbers for the nationwide HANDS OFF RALLIES on Saturday, April 5. See more information in our Events list below. But you can sign up here.

Because pretty much the entire newsletter today has been taken up with action items, I don't feel the need to include a special section for them. So I'll end with yet another egregious Executive Order Trump issued yesterday, this one aimed at voting rights. Josh Marshall (TPM) published an essay this morning about the feckless response of Democratic leadership and much of the press, but the occasion for penning this piece in the first place is this Executive Order pretending to undermine voting rights across the entire country. If you haven't seen or heard much news about this, it's because there's so much gasping about the Signal chat security breach and the lies — under oath no less — told about it.

But Marshall correctly points out that "presidents have little to no power over election administration. States administer American elections, for state and federal office. Congress is empowered to create certain baseline rules for how states administer elections, in addition to those enumerated in the Constitution. But that’s the federal role — a critical fact under present circumstances. Elections are administered by state officials and they are part of a separate, untethered sovereignty. The U.S. president can’t fire a governor or a mayor, ever. He doesn’t just lack the authority. He lacks the power. The real issue is going to come when the president tries to use his unauthorized power to extort compliance by withholding money."

If we are not yet at that moment, it is just seconds away. I'm planning to go to the April 5 HANDS OFF rally at the Federal Building and Courthouse in Milwaukee, with my walker. Come rain or come shine. I hope all of you will resolve to go also. Again, here's the link to sign up.

EVENTS

Wednesday, March 26

Vel Phillips Forum: Immigration, Refugees and Our Neighbors, 6:00 - 7:30pm
Turner Hall Ballroom, 1040 N Vel R Phillips Ave, Milwaukee
Join Alexandra Guevara (Voces de la Frontera), Vina Xiong (Hmong American Women’s Association), Deisy España (Comité sin Fronteras), and Attorney Cain Oulahan (Oulahan Immigration Law, SC) as we take a deep dive into current events, solutions, and what you can do to defend democracy. Moderated by Emilio De Torre. Light dinner will be provided. Virtual attendance options are available. Register to attend in-person or remotely.

Wisconsin Watch: Jack Kelly on the SCOWIS race, 4:00 - 5:00pm
Live and Virtual
If you want to hear about the state of the race ahead of the April 1 election, join Wisconsin Watch for an online discussion next Wednesday, March 26, at 4 p.m. Jack Kelly will answer your questions and talk about what it means for Wisconsin going forward. Sign up.

Banned Book Club: Liar, Temptress, Soldier, Spy, 6:30 - 8:30pm
Virtual
Liar, Temptress, Soldier, Spy is a New York Times Bestseller that tells four stories about women who played unconventional roles in the U.S. Civil War. Since it was published in 2015, it has been banned in several school districts, most notably in Frisco, TX, due to sexual content. Join us – and author Abbott Kahler (formerly Karen Abbott) – to discuss the book! Sign up.

Thursday, March 27

Public Citizen Town Hall, 6:00 - 7:00pm
Virtual
Unlike most Republicans in Congress, Public Citizen is eager to meet with our supporters.

We’ll update you on the various lawsuits we’ve filed — eight so far — against the Trump regime.
We’ll highlight some of the other ways we’re throwing sand in the gears of autocracy.
We’ll talk about how we work together to nurture hope and score victories even in the face of the Trump/Musk/DOGE/MAGA onslaught.
And we’ll answer questions from Public Citizen supporters all across the country.

Women's March: Join the Feminist Cyberforce, 7:00 - 8:00pm
Virtual
We exist in a technological ecosystem where billionaires control the flow of information. Two of the most widely used social media platforms are owned by billionaires—President Musk and Disinfo Daddy Zuckerberg—who have enabled disinformation and digital manipulation that fuels rising authoritarianism. They’ve rigged the algorithmic game in their favor, but we’re here to expose their playbook.

Join Dr. Heather Woods and Dr. Leslie Hahner for a deep dive into the mechanics of digital power. We’ll unpack how platforms and algorithms operate, who controls them, and what we can do to outsmart the system and strengthen our resistance online.

💡 What you'll learn:
          ✅ How social media algorithms amplify or suppress content
          ✅ Who profits from disinformation and digital manipulation
          ✅ How billionaire-controlled platforms are shaping our political landscape
          ✅ How to navigate and disrupt algorithmic bias to make our resistance louder
Register.

Friday, March 28

LWVMC League Café, 10:00 - 11:00am
East Side Library, 2023 N Cramer St, Milwaukee
We're meeting to discuss the following book: Valiant Vel: Vel Phillips and the Fight for Fairness and Equality, by Jerrianne Hayslett. Even if you haven’t read the book, our discussions are always interesting and it’s a good way to get acquainted with fellow League members.

Saturday, March 29

Judge Crawford Kicks Off Canvass, 9:00 - 10:00am
336 Wisconsin Ave, Waukesha
Come meet with Judge Susan Crawford at the Waukesha Dems Office on Saturday, March 29th ahead of our 9am canvass launch! The Spring Election on April 1, 2025 will determine the direction of the Wisconsin Supreme Court for years. We know turnout will be critical to winning this race. At this event you will hear from Judge Crawford and learn how to get involved in helping win this Spring. RSVP.

Coffee, Tea & Democracy, 10:00am - 1:00pm
1930 Wisconsin Avenue, Grafton
Stop by the Dem office on the last Saturday of every month from 10:00am - 1:00pm for this new event!
Q: What is it?
A: A fun and safe space where ideas will percolate and tea is spilt.
We provide refreshments. You bring yourself, and a friend. See you there!

Join Judge Susan Crawford to Protect Reproductive Freedom, 12:00pm
8405 W Lisbon Ave, Milwaukee
Join Working Families Power, SEIU Wisconsin, Women's March, and the Committee to Protect Health Care for a reproductive freedom rally with Judge Susan Crawford! The freedom to make decisions about our own bodies is on the ballot – we need a state Supreme Court justice who will protect our reproductive rights and freedom. RSVP.

Gwen Moore Town Hall, 4:00 - 5:00pm
Southminster Presbyterian Church, 200 Richard St, Waukesha, WI 53189, USA
Since Congressman Scott Fitzgerald won't hold a proper town hall, Congresswoman Gwen Moore will!

Join us as Congresswoman Gwen Moore and Chair Matt Mareno sit down for a moderated town hall to get the facts about what is going on in Washington with Elon Musk and Donald Trump. We will be taking questions from the audience to help YOU get the information you need and are not getting from Republicans. RSVP.

Sunday, March 30

JDCA Get Out the Vote Canvass, 10:30am - 3:00pm
Whitefish Bay
Join JDCA in partnership with WisDems and Grassroots Democrats HQ to maintain a progressive Supreme Court in Wisconsin! We will gather for a brief training followed by canvassing in nearby Milwaukee to Get Out the Vote for Judge Susan Crawford. Canvassing shifts will begin at 12:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. Join us starting at 10:30 a.m. for bagels, a schmooze and a brief program before heading out to canvass! RSVP.

Monday, March 31

Brewers Fans for Crawford, 10:30am - 12:30pm
Miller Park Way and National Ave
We are thrilled to invite you to our BIG event on March 31, Brewers Fans For Crawford. It was nice of the Milwaukee Brewers to schedule their home opener the day before the election so we could have a huge captive audience stuck in traffic along Miller Park Way and National Avenue. Help us reach thousands of fans and let's remind them to vote! Traffic will be bad so come early or see the details for catching a shuttle. Street parking is available at SIEU, 633 S Hawley Rd, and shuttle to the rally. Let's haave some fun. Bring noise makers! Wear your Brewers gear! We have signs or bring your own! Let's hit Judge Crawford home and strike out team Schimel/Musk.

JDCA Phone Bank for Susan Crawford, 5:30 - 7:30pm
Virtual
Join JDCA and the WisDems in partnership with GDHQ in making calls in support of Susan Crawford to voters across Wisconsin! We’ll be making calls to talk to voters about what issues are important to them and the importance of electing Susan Crawford to the Wisconsin Supreme Court Race in the upcoming April election. Never made calls before? No problem. Whether you are a seasoned veteran or making calls for the first time, all you need is your computer and a phone. A short training will be provided at the beginning of the phone bank and volunteers can stay on the Zoom in case you need help while we make calls. Sign up.

Tuesday, April 1

ELECTION DAY, 7:00am - 8:00pm
Your Polling Place
Will Wisconsin pass the test? Elon Musk and his billionaire bros think they can buy a seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court. Make sure they flunk out. Go vote. You can find out where your polling place is at MyVote.WI.gov.

Saturday, April 5

HANDS OFF! SE Wisconsin Fights Back, 12:00 - 3:00pm
Milwaukee Federal Building, 517 E Wisconsin Ave
This mass mobilization day is our message to the world that we do not consent to the destruction of our government and our economy for the benefit of Trump and his billionaire allies. Alongside Americans across the country, we are marching, rallying, and protesting to demand a stop the chaos and build an opposition movement against the looting of our country.

A core principle behind all Hands Off! events is a commitment to nonviolent action. We expect all participants to seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation with those who disagree with our values. We must be respectful, not be in the street, and not block access to the front doors. Check out Hands Off 2025 for more information. And sign up to attend the rally.

Sunday, April 6

What's Next for the State and for the Nation? 3:30 doors open; 4:00 - 5:30pm program
Plymouth Church, 2712 E Hampshire Ave, Milwaukee
The Grassroots North Shore Annual Meeting offers a wonderful slate of speakers. In addition to hearing from our dynamic team in Madison — Greta Neubauer, Democratic Leader of the Assembly; Deb Andraca, representing the 23rd Assembly District; and Jodi Habush Sinykin, the newly elected Senator for the 8th Senate District — our featured speaker is Jim Santelle, an expert on constitutional law. He has served as the US Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin under President Obama and he has also served under Attorneys General Janet Reno and Eric Holder. Currently he is the host of Amicus: A Law Review on Civic Media. The program will address two key questions: