For the 4th of July holiday, let's begin the newsletter with uplifting, positive news for a change.
NO KINGS Day was a huge deal and a monumental success. G. Elliott Morris, author of the substack Strength in Numbers, undertook what he calls a collective crowdsourcing effort "involving many members of the independent data journalism community." Here's what that early report found:
Here in Milwaukee, at least 12,000 people turned out! Grassroots North Shore was no small part of its success: we provided a donation page to raise the funds needed for the sound system and the porta-potties and other rally needs and we provided lots of the publicity also. We owe a big thanks to Cheryl Maranto who did much of the heavy lifting for the event.
So give yourself a treat and watch Indivisible's compilation of the more than 2100 protest events nationwide. It takes about 2.5 minutes. The Milwaukee protest shows up at about 1:48. But the song playing over the images is well worth your time for the whole thing.
In other welcome news, the Wisconsin Supreme Court overturned the 1849 law "that had banned abortions in nearly every situation" (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, July 2, 2025). The MSJ piece makes sure you know that it was the liberal justices who "affirmed a lower court's previous decision that overturned the 19th Century law." Surprisingly, perhaps, the New York Times has a much more comprehensive account of the context and the effects of this latest Wisconsin Supreme Court decision in its article Wisconsin Supreme Court Strikes Down 1849 Abortion Ban (gifted so you can get past the paywall).
There's mixed news about the bienniel budget in the works for Wisconsin. Yesterday, Republican and Democratic legislative leaders and Governor Tony Evers "reached a tentative agreement on the 2025-27 state budget, agreeing to invest hundreds of millions in the University of Wisconsin system, to create new grant and payment programs for child care facilities, further boost investment in special education and cut $1.3 billion in taxes" (Wisconsin Examiner, July 1. 2025). The deal, however, is not completely done: "elements of the spending plan could change before the final bill gets to Evers' desk" (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, July 2, 2025). The legislature's Joint Finance Committee has released the bill. The Assembly and the state Senate will vote on it this week.
According to another article in today's Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, complaints and unhappiness about the compromise have appeared both on the left and on the right. Wisconsin Public Education Network, Citizen Action of Wisconsin, WISDOM, W.E.C.A.N. ane WEAC released a joint statement statement detailing the bill's shortcomings from their perspective: Public Education, Health Care, Criminal Justice, and Child Care Advocates Urge NO Vote on State Budget Deal.
On the national front, the Senate squeaked out enough votes, with Vice President J.D. Vance providing the tie-breaker, to pass Trump's Big Bastard Budget Bill. But the Senate's amended version still needs to pass the House of Representatives where the so-called "Freedom Caucus" want yet more changes, as of 1:30 pm CDT on July 2, The Guardian reports: "It remains unclear if he [Speaker Mike Johnson] has the numbers needed to pass the bill as the House prepares to take a key procedural vote to get the bill closer to final passage." But there's still time to twist arms to get the product to the president's desk so he can sign it with his usual tacky flourishes on July 4, as he has been demanding.
In tariff news, there's this nugget: "Trump's tariffs beat up economy as private sector loses jobs in June." The Daily Kos post explains that "President Donald Trump's destructive trade policy appears to finally be having the devastating impact on the job market that economists predicted, as ADP reported on Wednesday that private employers shed 33,000 jobs in June amid uncertainty created by Trump’s nonsensical tariffs." Just as experts had foretold.
Finally in schadenfreude-inducing reports, the AP's headline reads "Tesla sales plunge again as anti-Musk boycott shows staying power and rivals pounce." The story emphasizes Musk's political views as a key driver: "Sales of Tesla electric cars fell sharply in the last three months as boycotts over Elon Musk's political views continue to keep buyers away, a significant development given expectations that anger with the company's billionaire CEO would have faded by now." The New York Times article, which I won't link to, blames Musk and the company's focus on self-driving cars rather than putting resources into new models aimed at attracting buyers and calling its current offerings an aging lineup.
TAKE ACTION
Support Judge Hannah Dugan: On Thursday, July 9, there is a hearing scheduled in the Judge Dugan case at the Federal Courthouse, 517 E. Wisconsin Ave, Milwaukee. A faith vigil outside the courthouse is schedule to begin at 7:30am with the program starting at 8:00am. The hearing is an in-person status hearing although Judge Dugan is not required to attend. The judge presiding over the case, Judge Lynn Adelman, has delayed the July 21 trial date in the federal criminal case to ensure there is enough time to rule thoughtfully on the defense's motion to dismiss the case altogether. So even though the defendant need not be present at this hearing, it's important for her supporters to show up! Hope you can make it.
The Omnibus Big Bad Budget Bill:It's not too late to call your Representative, especially if your rep. is a Republican, to register your view that the House member should vote NO on the reconciliation bill currently being "tweaked" so it can garner enough Republican votes. You can find the number for your congress person here. Call now! Especially if your representative is Glenn Grothman! (And by the way, after weeks if not months of swearing he could not possibly vote for the budget-busting bill the President is pushing, Senator Ron Johnson nevertheless voted "yes" when it came time to pass it.)
From the ACLU: Send a message to US Representatives. This piece mentions Medicaid cuts but really homes in on how its spending items "turbocharge President Trump’s mass deportation machine. The bill includes $170 billion for immigration enforcement – with $45 billion allocated for the detention of more than 750,000 children, families, and adults in ICE detention facilities notorious for abuse. " Send the message.
From the Democratic Pary of Milwaukee County: Volunteer with the Democratic Party of Milwaukee County at State Fair. This year, the State Fair runs July 31st–August 10th. There will be 3 shifts per day: 10:00 a.m.-2 p.m.; 2-6 p.m.; and 6-9 p.m. Free admission to the fair is included! So Sign up for one or more shifts!
Any questions or having problems with sign up, please contact Mary Jonker, [email protected] or call 262-497-4672.
EVENTS
Tuesday, July 8
Department of Corrections Public Hearing on amending DOC 328, 10:00 - 11:00am CDT
MS Teams
The Wisconsin Department of Corrections is proposing a complete rewrite of DOC 328, the administrative code that governs how people are supervised in the community after incarceration. These changes are also supposed to implement the 2013 Short-Term Sanctions Act (Act 196), a law designed to reduce revocations for technical rule violations and lower the prison population. But the proposed rules fail to create the required system of immediate, limited sanctions. Instead, they preserve a definition that allows up to 90 days of incarceration, clearly contradicting the intent to minimize disruption to employment, family, and community life. If these rules go unchallenged they risk sending people back to prison not for new crimes, but for everyday challenges, missing an appointment, needing support, traveling without permission for something as vital as a job interview or funeral.
DOC Administrative Rules Committee
Caitlin Washburn, Administrative Rules Coordinator
P.O. Box 7925
Madison, WI 53707-7925
VIRTUAL LOCATION LINK
CALL IN NUMBER: (608) 571-2209, conference code: 930 614 929.
ACLU People Power Series: Organizing to Protect Democracy Session 1, 7:00pm CDT
Zoom
We are in the fight of a lifetime to defend our rights, our freedoms, and our democracy. This is the first session in our free, high impact, virtual training series built to ignite your activism and give you the tools to organize, mobilize, and lead in this critical moment. Our communities need bold action, and we need you in the fight.
</br /> You'll learn how to:
- Organize effectively in your community;
- Have persuasive conversations that move people to action;
- Build lasting connections with others who are ready to rise to the moment.
This is the first in a 4-part training series that is designed for people ready to turn passion into action. RSVP.
Friday, July 11
League of Progressive Seniors Forum, 9:30am
Knickerbocker Hotel
LPS is scheduled to hold a forum on Friday July 11 with Ralph Martire from the Center for Tax and Budget Accountability in Chicago. He will discuss the proposed tax bill, its many provisions, and their effects. The group is part of a national network of progressive economic policy think tanks. See its website.
Saturday, July 12
Sierra Club: Fish for the Future, 10:00am - 3:00pm
Urban Ecology Center - Washington Park, 1859 N 40th St, Milwaukee
Thanks to the creativity and dedication of people from across the country, we’re about to break the record for the largest display of origami fish — each one a symbol of our shared commitment to protect the Great Lakes and shut down Line 5. With every fish, we’re sending a clear message: clean water matters more than corporate pipelines.
Now it’s time to bring it all together. On July 12 we’ll attempt to break the world record for the largest display of origami fish — and you’ll want to see it with your own eyes. Imagine a display of over 18,000 paper fish, each one telling a story, carrying a pledge, and making it impossible for decision-makers to ignore the call: Shut Down Line 5.
This isn’t just an art installation. It’s a movement. It’s a splash of resistance. And it’s a celebration of the people who believe in a future where our water is safe, clean, and protected. More details coming soon. RSVP.
Tuesday, July 15
LWV Lunch and Learn, 12:00 - 1;00pm
Zoom
Join us for Lunch & Learn at noon on Tuesday, July 15th, with Gwen Moore. Link to event.
Meeting ID: 826 6836 9045
Passcode: 900321
Saturday, July 19
Voces de la Frontera: Milwaukee ICE Verifier Training Series, 1:00 - 2:30pm
733 W Historic Mitchell St, Milwaukee
Become a community defense network verifier! Verifiers are people who respond to ICE alerts by quickly traveling to the reported locations to confirm or deny ICE activity. The role requires reliable transportation and some daytime flexibility. Trainings are held at the Voces Milwaukee office (733 W Mitchell St) every first and third Saturday of the month from 1-3pm. Please sign up in advance.
Save the Date
Monday, July 21
Messaging for Solidarity - Race Class Narrative with Anat Shenker-Osorio, 6:00 - 7:30pm CDT
virtual
The opposition regularly uses racial fear as a tool to exploit economic realities and turn people against one another. The Race Class Narrative messaging and analysis help us fight back against these attacks to build solidarity across differences. Host of the Words to Win By podcast and Principal of ASO Communications, Anat Shenker-Osorio examines why certain messages falter where others deliver. She has led research for new messaging on issues ranging from freedom to join together in union to clean energy and from immigrant rights to reforming criminal justice. Anat's original approach through priming experiments, task-based testing and online dial surveys has led to progressive electoral and policy victories across the globe. Sign up.
Wednesday, July 23
Unite and Rise Trainings: Championing Issues that Matter Most to You, 10:00 - 11:15am CDT
virtual
This webinar will be a roundtable discussion that focuses on the challenging yet ever evolving conversations around issues. Whatever issue that speaks to voters and compels them to use their voice as their vote is the energy that LWVUS must harness to effect lasting and ever-present change to dispel apathy and breathe new life into our democracy. Join Chelsey R. Cartwright, Democracy Truth Project Manager, Local League Leaders, Pinny Sheoran, co-presidents of the Michigan League Denise Hatrsough and Paula Bowman, and members of the Young Voter Power cohort and Founder & CEO of MisfitMinds Collective, Kristin Turner for an engaging conversation on how issues must be anchored to build trust, harness collective action with an emphasis on unity and transformation as our shared strengths. Registration required.
July Banned Book Club: The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness, 6:30 - 8:00pm CDT
virtual
The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness is a groundbreaking account of the modern criminal justice system and how it has created a new caste-like system that has resulted in the imprisonment of millions of Black Americans and making them second-class citizens. This book has been banned in prison systems in North Carolina and New Jersey and later allowed after the ACLU protested the bans. Sign up.
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