Before I start on the newsy bits, here are two events of note coming up quickly. First is a May 1 Day of Action. In Milwaukee and in Madison, Voces de la Frontera will hold its annual Day without Immigrants event. Here, there will be a rally at 10:00am at the Voces Offices (733 W Historic Mitchell Street). At 11:00am participants will march to the Federal Building (517 E Wisconsin Ave) for a program there. In Madison, the rally will take place at 12:00pm at Library Mall (715 State Street) followed by a march to the State Capitol at 1:00pm.
The more general May 1 Day of Action is themed "It's Workers Over Billionaires." Here's how you participate: No Work. No School. No Shopping. That's the essence of the action. Here's how the organizers describe the purpose of the event: "We are a network of hundreds of organizations and hundreds of thousands of working people coming together with a common purpose: standing together against the billionaires waging a war on working people." The demands are straightforward:
- Stop the billionaire takeover corrupting our government.
- Protect and defend Medicaid, Social Security, and other programs for working people.
- Fully funded schools, and healthcare and housing for all.
- Stop the attacks on immigrants, Black, indigenous, trans people, women and all our communities.
- Invest in people not wars.
To find events in your area, visit the MayDayStrong website.
And on Sunday, May 17, Grassroots North Shore will hold a forum for the Democratic candidates for governor. It will take place at Nicolet High School (6701 North Jean Nicolet Road, Glendale). The event will be moderated by Kathleen Dunn, a veteran of 44 years as a radio talk show host. The doors will open at 2:00pm; the program will begin at 2:30pm. As space is limited, please do yourself a favor and RSVP.
Here's some startling good news to get us going today. "In a Fox interview that aired on Wednesday, President Donald Trump effectively admitted that the ongoing Republican campaign to rig electoral maps in their favor to avert a wipeout in this year’s midterm elections has been a spectacular failure" (Daily Kos, April 15, 2026). Of course, his rambling interview was filled with lies — he had "the greatest opening year" and "the greatest economy ever." Some anchor in reality is better than none, I suppose.
Now for some not-so-wonderful news. In his Morning Memo at Talking Points Memo, David Kurtz writes, "The descent of the Justice Department into a crude weapon wielded by an erratic authoritarian is gathering speed and quickening the threat to America’s fraying democracy in ways that we all feared but hoped might be kept at bay for a bit longer." He cites four judicial events from yesterday:
- The DOJ abandoned the seditious conspiracy convictions of a number of Proud Boys and Oath Keepers whose sentences had already been commuted. But now the DOJ seeks to wipe the slate clean.
- The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that District Judge James Boasberg could not investigate the contempt of court for the DOJ and ICE's failure to follow a judicial order that would have prevented 100+ Venezuelans from being deported to El Salvador in spring 2025.
- Prosecutors in US Attorney Jeanine Pirro's office showed up unannounced at the Federal Reserve headquarters to try to undermine the Fed's independence.
- The Trump DOJ released its so-called weaponization report attacking President Biden's Justice Department.
For the details on these, read the whole thing. TPM is always worth a look.
And on the sex scandal(s) beat, here's the latest. The collapse of Eric Swalwell's campaign and probably his career too has been swift. Yesterday, he resigned from congress, having already halted his campaign for governor of California amid a widening sexual assault scandal. It's all too familiar by now. But here's what puzzles me. Knowing that these allegations were just waiting to be discovered, why he nevertheless thought he could run for governor without being exposed escapes my understanding completely. What sort of reasoning leads a man to think that the scandal would never occur? The only thing holding the Epstein victims back from more openly implicating Donald Trump, it seems, is fear. Maybe Swalwell — and Tony Gonzales too — believe they are similarly immune, when clearly they are not. So what differentiates the "Epstein class" from these miscreants, I wonder. And will we ever see the full Epstein files? Keep watching the skies, I guess.
In Wisconsin, our legislature held a special session to deal with gerrymandering in the state. Except the session didn't actually happen. As Wisconsin Public Radio has it, "a special session of the Legislature to consider banning partisan gerrymandering came and went Tuesday. But it’s not gone for good." instead of quickly gaveling a session in and immediately gaveling it out again, this time "they didn’t adjourn — they just postponed." Republicans say they're "working toward a thoughtful solution to partisan gerrymandering." Governor Evers counters: “Lawmakers either want to ban partisan gerrymandering in Wisconsin or they don’t. It’s that simple. If lawmakers fail to take a public vote on this basic question, then Wisconsinites have no choice but to assume their lawmaker’s position on this issue.” Maybe a little star gazing on this issue is in order.
Today's Milwaukee Journal Sentinel is chock full of stories and pictures of last night's thunderstorms and possible tornados, but I could not find a single article about the legislature's lack of action on gerrymandering yesterday. A wonderful headline today, though, almost makes up for that neglect: "GOP lawmakers hire private lawyers to defend spending on private lawyers." The piece begins "Republican leaders will pay private lawyers up to $550 an hour in taxpayer money to represent the Legislature in a lawsuit challenging them over that very practice: using taxpayer money to hire private attorneys." Irony and cynicism abound.
Meanwhile, we're in the seventh week of our ugly war with Iran and in the midst of a pretend ceasefire. This afternoon the New York Times announced that "Stocks Approach Record High as Wall St. Looks Beyond War." The first paragraph says it all: "The S&P 500 approached a fresh record high on Wednesday, reflecting investors’ optimism that a peace deal would be reached before the war in Iran could inflict significant damage on corporate America, even as a spike in oil prices has led to a gloomier economic outlook." The operative phrase here is "inflict significant damage on corporate America." I think what we're seeing is the effect of gaping wealth inequality in this country. Later in the article, the Times acknowledges that "some market watchers have been perplexed by the recent rally" since the Strait of Hormuz is like a straight jacket on the world's economy and "high oil and gas prices have been feeding into rising U.S. inflation and tumbling consumer confidence."
The preliminary data for April 2026 from the University of Michigan Survey of Consumers show that we are pretty unhappy. "Consumer sentiment sank about 11% this month, extending a decline that began with the start of the Iran conflict, and is currently about 9% below a year ago." Measured at just 47.6, confidence in the economy has hit a historic new low. Nevertheless stocks surge.
Let's end on an upbeat note. Senator Baldwin issued a press release a few days ago to announce that she "and her colleagues Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Adam Schiff (D-CA), and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) ... will force the Senate to vote again to end the war in Iran." See the full press release. May the force be with them.
EVENTS
Wednesday, April 15
Phone bank for Ground Truth with Swing Left Milwaukee! 5:00 – 8:00pm CDT
Virtual
Join fellow members of Swing Left Milwaukee on the national Ground Truth phone banks! Ground Truth is a new program from Swing Left, designed to fix what’s broken in Democratic organizing. We’re launching an innovative new program that will revolutionize how we connect with voters over the phone.
Our goal: to help Democrats rebuild trust, win tough races, and flip the House. We're bringing people together to build the community of real people, having real conversations with real people. During Ground Truth phone banks, we will talk to as many people as possible and focus on listening.
At this phone bank, we’ll:
- Call ALL types of voters — not just those who vote like us.
- Have real conversations that LISTEN deeply to voters’ concerns.
- Gather insights to share with campaigns, so they can be responsive to voters’ needs and smarter with their messaging, targeting, and outreach.
Don’t worry if it’s your first time — training, materials, and support are all provided. Just come prepared with your computer! We recommend bringing your phone as well, and earbuds if you'd like. Sign up.
April Banned Book Club: Everyone Is Lying to You by Jo Piazza, 6:30 - 8:00pm CT
Virtual
Author Jo Piazza is joining our April Banned Book Club for a conversation about her novel, Everyone Is Lying to You. Her book pulls back the curtain on the lives of ‘trad wives,’ curated perfection, and the dark secrets behind seemingly perfect lives. We’ll discuss the trad wife movement in our country, who these women really are, and what’s driving the trend. Jo will also share why she wrote the book and how it challenges myths about modern femininity, domestic ideals, and the cost of living up to an image. Sign up.
Oz Dems Monthly Meeting, 7:00 - 8:00 pm
1245 Cheyenne Ave., #103, Grafton
Join us for our monthly meeting to get the latest updates on our fight to turn Ozaukee County blue and find out how you can help.
Thursday, April 16
DPMC Membership Meeting, 6:00 – 7:00pm
Whitefish Bay Public Library, 5420 N Marlborough Dr, Whitefish Bay
Please join us for the April 2026 General Membership Meeting. This meeting will be held at the Whitefish Bay Public Library (5420 N Marlborough Dr, Whitefish Bay, WI 53217). This event is not sponsored or endorsed by the library. Please RSVP.
Saturday, April 18
Glendale: Stand for Democracy, 12:00 - 1:00pm
North Port Washington & Silver Spring, Glendale
Gather with us at noon every Saturday to make our voices heard. Dress for the weather. Bring your cellphone, water, hats & gloves, umbrella, sunscreen, and a chair if you need one. Bring a sign (use bold, large lettering, so your sign can be read by moving traffic, 2-5 words) or borrow one from our community. Parking is available in the Bayshore parking lot.
Tosa: Stand for Democracy, 12:00 - 1:00pm
76th & North Ave, Wauwatosa
Gather with us at noon every Saturday to make our voices heard. Together, we stand for justice, equality, and change, reminding those in power that we will not be silent. Bring your energy, your signs, and your friends. Let’s raise our voices, week after week, until real change is won. Parking is available in the Wauwatosa City Hall parking lot.
Sunday, April 19
Phone bank for Ground Truth with Swing Left Milwaukee!, 1:00 – 4:00pm CDT
Virtual
Join fellow members of Swing Left Milwaukee on the national Ground Truth phone banks! Ground Truth is a new program from Swing Left, designed to fix what’s broken in Democratic organizing. We’re launching an innovative new program that will revolutionize how we connect with voters over the phone.
Our goal: to help Democrats rebuild trust, win tough races, and flip the House. We're bringing people together to build the community of real people, having real conversations with real people. During Ground Truth phone banks, we will talk to as many people as possible and focus on listening.
At this phone bank, we’ll:
- Call ALL types of voters — not just those who vote like us.
- Have real conversations that LISTEN deeply to voters’ concerns.
- Gather insights to share with campaigns, so they can be responsive to voters’ needs and smarter with their messaging, targeting, and outreach.
Don’t worry if it’s your first time — training, materials, and support are all provided. Just come prepared with your computer! We recommend bringing your phone as well, and earbuds if you'd like. Sign up.
SE WI Indivisible Weekly Sundays, 2:00 – 3:30pm
1501 Miller Park Way, West Milwaukee
Every Sunday — rain or shine — meet in front of the Target sign. Parking is readily available. We spread out along Miller Parkway and display our pro-democracy signs and encourage joiners. Raising awareness and gaining more to the movement is our goal. It's always good to smile and wave :) Come with or without a sign. We will have extras. We like to get a photo together at the end and we do post online. We also will have pickers to pick up trash in the area for those who are so inclined. Looking forward to meeting you!
Annual Gwen Moore Birthday Celebration, 5:00pm
Ivy House, 906 S Barclay, Milwaukee
Come celebrate Representative Gwen Moore's birthday and contribute to her campaign. Suggested level of support: Guest $100 | Couple $150. Join the Host Committee: Chair $2,500 | Host $1,000 | Sponsor $500 | Supporter $250. RSVP.
Monday, April 20
Ismael Luna's Campaign Kick Off! Fundraiser + Community, 5:30 - 7:00pm
Tres Hermanos Restaurant, 1332 W Lincoln Ave, Milwaukee
Join us to celebrate and help launch Ismael Luna's campaign for Wisconsin State Assembly, District 8! Ismael Luna is a South Side community advocate and nonprofit professional running for Wisconsin State Assembly in District 8. Ismael’s story is rooted in this community. He was homeless at 14, and today works at a shelter helping people find stable housing. Ismael has led community efforts on substance misuse prevention, housing, and public health. Raised by a working-class immigrant family, Ismael is running to fully fund public schools, repair our streets, make health care affordable, and invest in housing to help build a stronger South Side. Join the host committee today! Email [email protected] for more information. Contribution encouraged but not required to attend: RSVP.
Wisconsin Disability Caucus Governor Forum, 6:30 - 8:00 pm
Virtual
Join WisDem's Disability Caucus for a free, public online forum to meet and hear from Gubernatorial candidates about the issues you care about. Here are 4 things you can do to support people with disabilities during this election season:
- Register to join the forum.
- Attend the virtual Governor Candidate Forum on April 20 at 6:30 p.m.
- Give the WisDems Disability Caucus Facebook page a follow.
- Sign the petition for WisDems to include a virtual option for convention.
Thanks for your support.
Tuesday, April 21
Lunch & Learn: Introduction to Mary Delgado & her program, Facing Racism, One White Woman at a Time, 12:00 - 1:00pm
Video conference
Videoconference information will be provided in an email once registration is complete. Registration required.
The Latest Trends: How State Legislators Are Targeting Public Schools, 6:30 - 7:30pm
Virtual
Public schools are under attack and it's coming from state legislators across the country. From curriculum bans and restrictions on student groups to cuts in mental health support and new voucher programs, politicians are reshaping what kids can learn and what schools can provide. At the same time, we’re seeing a push to bring religion into public schools, crack down on DEI, and even limit support for students who need it most. Join us to break down the latest trends in anti-public school legislation, what it means for our kids, and what’s coming next. Knowledge is power and it’s how we fight back. See you there! Sign up.
Wednesday, April 22
JoCasta's 50th Birthday Party & Nomination Signature Kickoff, 5:30 - 7pm
Best Place at the Historic Pabst Brewery, 917 W Juneau Ave, Milwaukee
JoCasta is turning 50 and she wants to celebrate with you! Join us at Best Place at the Historic Pabst Brewery for her signature kickoff and belated birthday celebration. We will be collecting the nomination signatures needed to get JoCasta on the ballot for Wisconsin Secretary of State, raising resources for the campaign, and having a great time doing it. Bring a friend and bring your energy! RSVP.
Phone bank for Ground Truth with Swing Left Milwaukee! 5:00 – 8:00pm CDT
Virtual
Join fellow members of Swing Left Milwaukee on the national Ground Truth phone banks! Ground Truth is a new program from Swing Left, designed to fix what’s broken in Democratic organizing. We’re launching an innovative new program that will revolutionize how we connect with voters over the phone.
Our goal: to help Democrats rebuild trust, win tough races, and flip the House. We're bringing people together to build the community of real people, having real conversations with real people. During Ground Truth phone banks, we will talk to as many people as possible and focus on listening.
At this phone bank, we’ll:
- Call ALL types of voters — not just those who vote like us.
- Have real conversations that LISTEN deeply to voters’ concerns.
- Gather insights to share with campaigns, so they can be responsive to voters’ needs and smarter with their messaging, targeting, and outreach.
Don’t worry if it’s your first time — training, materials, and support are all provided. Just come prepared with your computer! We recommend bringing your phone as well, and earbuds if you'd like. Sign up.
Thursday, April 23
Meet and Greet with Kelda Roys, 6:30 – 8:30pm
3154 S Pine Ave
You’re invited to a meet and greet in Bay View with Kelda Roys, candidate for governor of Wisconsin! Come meet Kelda Roys, candidate for governor, hosted at the home of Sara Ogilvie and co-hosted by Kristin Settle and share the invitation with your network. We hope to see you there! You can donate online or "purchase" a free ticket! But please RSVP.
Fighting Federal Vouchers to Protect Public Schools, 6:30 - 7:30pm
Virtual
The growing pressure to implement school voucher programs has now reached the federal level. Congress has passed legislation that opens the door for states to redirect public education funding to private schools. This will be devastating to the public schools that so many of our kids rely on. And here’s an even bigger red flag: Governors are opting in before there are even clear rules in place. That’s a big decision with real consequences for our public schools. That’s why this moment matters. Join us to learn what’s coming, why it’s risky, and how you can take action. See you there! Sign up.
Saturday, April 25
Coffee, Tea & Democracy, 10:00 - 11:00am
1245 Cheyenne Avenue, Grafton
Stop by the OzDems office on the last Saturday of every month from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
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!
Glendale: Stand for Democracy, 12:00 - 1:00pm
North Port Washington & Silver Spring, Glendale
Gather with us at noon every Saturday to make our voices heard. Dress for the weather. Bring your cellphone, water, hats & gloves, umbrella, sunscreen, and a chair if you need one. Bring a sign (use bold, large lettering, so your sign can be read by moving traffic, 2-5 words) or borrow one from our community. Parking is available in the Bayshore parking lot.
Tosa: Stand for Democracy, 12:00 - 1:00pm
76th & North Ave, Wauwatosa
Gather with us at noon every Saturday to make our voices heard. Together, we stand for justice, equality, and change, reminding those in power that we will not be silent. Bring your energy, your signs, and your friends. Let’s raise our voices, week after week, until real change is won. Parking is available in the Wauwatosa City Hall parking lot.
Spring Fundraiser for David Crowley, 5:30 - 7:30pm
The Fishbone Social, 2501 W North Ave, Milwaukee
Spring is here — and so is a great reason to get together. Join us for a Spring Fundraiser for David Crowley, hosted by Bria Grant! This is a wonderful opportunity to connect with fellow supporters, hear directly from David, and help fuel our campaign as we head into this critical stretch. Sponsorship levels: Host: $2500, Co-Host: $1000, Sponsor: $500, Supporter: $250, Friend: $100. Suggested Contribution: $50, RSVP: FREE. Contributions are not required to attend, but if you’re interested in helping sponsor the event, we’d be grateful for your support. Donate.
Sunday, April 26
Phone bank for Ground Truth with Swing Left Milwaukee! 1:00 – 4:00pm CDT
Virtual
Join fellow members of Swing Left Milwaukee on the national Ground Truth phone banks! Ground Truth is a new program from Swing Left, designed to fix what’s broken in Democratic organizing. We’re launching an innovative new program that will revolutionize how we connect with voters over the phone.
Our goal: to help Democrats rebuild trust, win tough races, and flip the House. We're bringing people together to build the community of real people, having real conversations with real people. During Ground Truth phone banks, we will talk to as many people as possible and focus on listening.
At this phone bank, we’ll:
- Call ALL types of voters — not just those who vote like us.
- Have real conversations that LISTEN deeply to voters’ concerns.
- Gather insights to share with campaigns, so they can be responsive to voters’ needs and smarter with their messaging, targeting, and outreach.
Don’t worry if it’s your first time — training, materials, and support are all provided. Just come prepared with your computer! We recommend bringing your phone as well, and earbuds if you'd like. Sign up.
Campaign Launch Party for Amy Zimmerman, 2:00 – 4:00pm
CelticMKE Center, 1532 N Wauwatosa Ave, Wauwatosa
Amy is fighting for a Wisconsin where everyone can thrive - because families, workers, and retirees should be able to have happy, healthy, productive lives here in Wisconsin. Let's send Amy to Madison to support policies that make this possible!
Please join our host committee, including Caryl & Bob Sewell, Chris Rockwood, Karen Zimmerman, Chris Bauer, and Mike & Amanda Hallquist, in Wauwatosa for a Community Party supporting Amy Zimmerman's campaign for the Wisconsin State Assembly, representing District 13! We will have live music from Bear With, activities and play space for kids, as well as snacks, non-alcoholic beverages, and a cash bar available. RSVP now.
SE WI Indivisible Weekly Sundays, 3:00 – 4:00pm
1501 Miller Park Way, West Milwaukee
Every Sunday — rain or shine — meet in front of the Target sign. Parking is readily available. We spread out along Miller Parkway and display our pro-democracy signs and encourage joiners. Raising awareness and gaining more to the movement is our goal. It's always good to smile and wave :) Come with or without a sign. We will have extras. We like to get a photo together at the end and we do post online. We also will have pickers to pick up trash in the area for those who are so inclined. Looking forward to meeting you!
Thursday, April 30
Karen’s Birthday and Re-Election Celebration, 5:00 - 7:00pm
Los Mariachis Mexican Restaurant, 4305 W Layton Ave, Milwaukee
Please join us to kick off Karen Kirsch's 2026 re-election campaign for the 7th Assembly District! We will also be celebrating Karen's birthday with a Mexican buffet. We look forward to seeing you there and starting this campaign together. Donate here!
Save the Date
Friday, May 1
A Day Without Immigrants, 10:00am – 1:00pm
733 W Mitchell St, Milwaukee
Friday, May 1st, is a Day Without Immigrants, a day of solidarity, truth, and power. There will be two main events in Wisconsin in Milwaukee and Madison.
Agenda for Milwaukee:
- 10:00 am: Start at Voces Milwaukee
- Mass march toward the Federal Building (517 E. Wisconsin Ave)
Demands include:
- Abolish ICE!
- Abolish ICE!
- Economy for all
- Stop 287(g)
- ICE out of the courts
- Close the detention center in MKE
Saturday, May 2
Glendale: Stand for Democracy, 12:00 - 1:00pm
North Port Washington & Silver Spring, Glendale
Gather with us at noon every Saturday to make our voices heard. Dress for the weather. Bring your cellphone, water, hats & gloves, umbrella, sunscreen, and a chair if you need one. Bring a sign (use bold, large lettering, so your sign can be read by moving traffic, 2-5 words) or borrow one from our community. Parking is available in the Bayshore parking lot.
Tosa: Stand for Democracy, 12:00 - 1:00pm
76th & North Ave, Wauwatosa
Gather with us at noon every Saturday to make our voices heard. Together, we stand for justice, equality, and change, reminding those in power that we will not be silent. Bring your energy, your signs, and your friends. Let’s raise our voices, week after week, until real change is won. Parking is available in the Wauwatosa City Hall parking lot.
Sunday, May 3
Phone bank for Ground Truth with Swing Left Milwaukee! 1:00 – 4:00pm CDT
Virtual
Join fellow members of Swing Left Milwaukee on the national Ground Truth phone banks! Ground Truth is a new program from Swing Left, designed to fix what’s broken in Democratic organizing. We’re launching an innovative new program that will revolutionize how we connect with voters over the phone.
Our goal: to help Democrats rebuild trust, win tough races, and flip the House. We're bringing people together to build the community of real people, having real conversations with real people. During Ground Truth phone banks, we will talk to as many people as possible and focus on listening.
At this phone bank, we’ll:
- Call ALL types of voters — not just those who vote like us.
- Have real conversations that LISTEN deeply to voters’ concerns.
- Gather insights to share with campaigns, so they can be responsive to voters’ needs and smarter with their messaging, targeting, and outreach.
Don’t worry if it’s your first time — training, materials, and support are all provided. Just come prepared with your computer! We recommend bringing your phone as well, and earbuds if you'd like. Sign up.
140th Anniversary Commemoration of the Bay View Massacre, 3:00 – 6:00pm
Superior St & E Russel Ave, Milwaukee
Join the Wisconsin Labor History Society in commemorating the Bay View Massacre of 1886. This event will take place in person. In addition to the traditional commemorative event at 3:00 PM, the labor community and general public are invited to march the same path as the marchers in 1886. We'll meet at 2:00 PM at Lincoln Avenue and Bay Street and leave shortly thereafter. The march will conclude at the historical marker on E. Russell Avenue and S. Superior Street. The commemoration program will begin at 3:00 PM. The program will include a dramatic reenactment, music, wreath-laying, and reading the names of the workers who lost their lives.
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