Milwaukee, WI – On May 20, Milwaukee Reproductive Rights organizers were back out on the sidewalks picketing and shutting down another anti-abortion clinic or “crisis pregnancy center” (CPC). This so-called clinic, Women’s Care Center, is notorious for its location right across from where a real abortion clinic used to be housed.
Milwaukee, WI – March 25 marked the five-year anniversary of George Floyd’s murder at the hands of Derek Chauvin and the Minneapolis Police Department. In 2020 Floyd’s murder sparked the largest uprising against police in decades in the United States, and even five years later his life brought together 250 Milwaukeeans to rally, march and eat as a community to honor his memory.
The Milwaukee Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression (MAARPR) and All People’s Gathering Church (APGC) cohosted the afternoon events in order to commemorate Floyd as a person, give voice to the lives of the many Milwaukeeans murdered by police and jails, and recommit to the struggle to end police crimes.
Milwaukee, WI – On Sunday May 4, hundreds of Milwaukee area trade unionists and community members took to the streets to commemorate the 139th anniversary of the Bay View Massacre—one of the bloodiest moments in Wisconsin labor history. Over 14,000 Milwaukee workers, about 5000 of them immigrants from Poland, participated in the 1886 general strike wave demanding the enforcement of an eight-hour workday.
Pewaukee, WI – On the afternoon of May 13, dozens of anti-war and pro-Palestine activists held a rally outside the Wisconsin Defense Industry Council (WDIC)’s inaugural conference at the Ingleside Hotel in Pewaukee, a suburb of Milwaukee. The rally spoke out against the WDIC’s stated mission, to increase the influence of defense manufacturing in Wisconsin.
Milwaukee, WI – On May 10, dozens of people picketed outside the Women’s Care Center on Milwaukee’s South Side, demanding an end to the deceptive “care” it provides. This facility is one of nine crisis pregnancy centers located in Milwaukee. Crisis pregnancy centers (CPCs) are fake clinics that masquerade as facilities offering “all-option” pregnancy counseling, free ultrasounds, and pregnancy testing. However, they often lack trained medical staff and do not adhere to confidentiality regulations.
Green Bay, WI – Undeterred by road closures and brisk evening temperatures, a dedicated group of around one dozen Green Bay, WI, activists arrived near Entrance 2 for the NFL Draft. It was April 24, the first day of the Draft, and a section of South Ridge Road at the western corner of Lambeau Field was closed to traffic; making it perfect for a banner drop. The action was organized by the Green Bay Anti-War Committee (GBAC), the small city organization that could.
Appleton, WI – Hundreds of workers, queer activists and community members flooded Houdini Plaza in Appleton, Wisconsin, on May 1, International Workers Day, kicking off a march that would face police repression before triumphantly returning to cheers of public support.
Milwaukee, WI – On the morning of May 1, over 5000 people rallied and marched in Milwaukee under the banner of “A Day Without Immigrants and Workers.”
May 1 is a day of protest and celebration internationally to display the strength of worker solidarity. With Trump’s continued attacks on immigration, the people of Milwaukee and various organizations came out in force this year to stand in solidarity with the immigrant communities that define the city.
Milwaukee, WI – On a bright Saturday afternoon, a crowd of 1500 arrived outside of the FBI office to protest Friday’s arrest of Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan. Dugan was arrested by FBI agents after allegations of “obstruction of justice” during ICE’s attempted apprehensions of people inside the Milwaukee County Courthouse.
As details of her arrest and the charges are publicly revealed, it is becoming clear that the Trump administration and Kash Patel’s FBI sought to send a clear message to all people – comply or face the consequences. Dugan, according to reports, acted well within her rights and responsibilities as a representative of the judiciary branch, and her request of the ICE agents to produce a judicial warrant to enter a private space inside Milwaukee County Courthouse is not a crime.
Milwaukee, WI – Thousands of people rallied across 15 freeway overpasses in Milwaukee County on April 19, as part of a national day of action to protest Trump's attacks.
A wide variety of causes were represented on hundreds of homemade signs reading “Stop the cuts,” “Due process for all,” “Fuck Trump,” “Defend Social Security and Medicare,” “Stop deportations” and more. Nearly every overpass down the main highway in Milwaukee, Interstate 43, had signs visible to those on their weekend commute.
Appleton WI – On Saturday April 5, 2500 protesters convened at Houdini Plaza as part of the national “Hands Off” day of action. The demonstration spread throughout downtown Appleton, encompassing the sidewalks of several whole city blocks.
This event comes after the one-sided defeat of Brad Schimel in the Wisconsin Supreme Court election. Schimel campaigned on banning abortion, stripping union rights and attacking immigrants, and his loss came despite the millions of dollars that Elon Musk personally poured into the campaign. Schimel’s loss is a clear indication that the people are against Elon Musk, Donald Trump and the reactionary Republican agenda expanding in Wisconsin.
Milwaukee, WI – Thousands of people attended the “Hands Off” rally in downtown Milwaukee on April 5, ready to fight back against Trump, Musk and the racist and reactionary agenda of the Republican Party.
“Today shows a broad, united front in Milwaukee. Looks at all the signs around you, they represent us taking the fight to Trump, fighting for workers, immigrants, Palestine, reproductive rights and our students!” said Alan Chovoya, a member of Freedom Road Socialist Organization.
Milwaukee, WI – On Saturday, March 29, 30 vehicles took to the streets in a car caravan to commemorate Land Day. Land Day, held on March 30 every year, recognizes the day in 1976 when Palestinians took to the streets to protest Israel’s theft of their land. Six Palestinians were killed and over 100 injured by Israeli forces.
Neenah, WI – On Sunday March 30, Hate Free Outagamie hosted an event celebrating Trans Day of Visibility. Nearly 200 community members of all ages gathered at a local park shelter to celebrate the struggles of the trans community. Attendees created art and photos, listened to speeches and workshops, and networked with other community organizations.
In their opening speech, Green Bay Anti War co-chair Lana Ksionek spoke about the importance of calling upon the strength of our trans elders such as Sylvia Rivera, and to take inspiration from them in our fight for trans liberation today.
Green Bay, WI – On Sunday, March 30, hundreds gathered in the bitter cold and rain outside of the KI Convention center to protest Elon Musk’s visit to campaign for Supreme Court Candidate Brad Schimel. Schimel, a reactionary Republican attorney general, has campaigned on reintroducing a 1849 law banning abortion statewide, repealing same sex marriage and enforcing Trump’s attacks on the working class.
Milwaukee, WI – On Sunday, March 23, over 300 people took it to the streets to demand an end to Trump and the billionaire class’s constant threats of dismantling the United States Postal Service (USPS). The National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Pioneer Branch 2 hosted the rally with support from the American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Local 3 and the Wisconsin Rural Letter Carriers Association. The event was part of a larger national day of action which saw hundreds of other cities across the country participate.
Milwaukee, WI – On March 20, the jury in the federal civil trial of the Cole family against killer cop Joseph Mensah could not reach consensus. Mensah was a Wauwatosa, Wisconsin cop when he killed Alvin Cole and is now a detective for Waukesha County. The suit asserts that Mensah used excessive force with Cole, after shooting Cole multiple times at the Mayfair Mall’s parking lot while the latter was on his hands and knees on February 2, 2020.
Milwaukee, WI – A March 7 protest outside the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Milwaukee brought out over 300 VA employees and supporters to protest attacks on the VA workforce by billionaires Trump and Musk. It was the largest protest at the site in memory.
Ten probationary employees at the Milwaukee VA have been fired without cause since Elon Musk’s “Department of Government Efficiency” began its scorched earth campaign against unionized federal workers. Government memos suggest that over 80,000 VA employees could lose their jobs if Trump and Musk’s plans are not stopped.
Milwaukee, WI – Over 1200 people joined the 4th annual International Women’s Day celebration organized by the Milwaukee IWD Coalition, a broad coalition consisting of numerous grassroots organizations.
This year’s event began with a rally, followed by a brief march to the Milwaukee Turners, an historic building with a progressive socialist history that is located on Vel R. Phillips Avenue, named after a trailblazing civil rights leader from Milwaukee. At the Turners, the event transitioned to a panel discussion with various organizers, and a keynote address by Alondra García, a public school educator and immigrant rights activist.
Milwaukee, WI – When Milwaukee County Sheriff Denita Ball was asked why she chose to hold a town hall meeting for community members during first shift work hours, she chose to hammer home the point that community members were lucky there was a town hall happening at all. “Know that I am not obligated to have a town hall,” stated Sheriff Ball.