Milwaukee, WI — The new school year has started at many campuses and members of Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) are preparing for this year’s important SDS National Convention. Set for Oct. 22-24 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the convention will be the first since the historic March 4 Protests for Education Rights that took place in 36 states around the country. Because of the greatest economic crisis since the 1930’s Great Depression, most state governments are now in budget crisis, with politicians trying to shift the burden onto working people and making cuts to public education. SDS is building the movement opposing cuts to public education and hopes their fall convention draws more new students to attend and coordinate plans for the school year.
Milwaukee, WI – Around 100 people, mostly Chicanos and Mexicanos, marched through downtown here, July 29, to protest racist Arizona’s SB1070 and HB2281 laws. They held banners reading, “We will not comply,” and, “We are ALL immigrants.”
Milwaukee, WI – The student and youth leaders of the Chicano student group Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlán (MEChA) are at the forefront in building for July 29, the National Day of Action Against SB1070. They have set forth the plan for a massive march and demonstration in downtown Milwaukee.
Milwaukee, WI – 25 student and anti-war activists from Milwaukee, Madison, Chicago and Minneapolis attended the Freedom School, a one-day study hosted by the Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO).
Milwaukee, WI – Members of Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) jumped into multiple parades here this past Fourth of July weekend. The students carried banners demanding education rights, and an end to U.S. occupation of Afghanistan. This marks the third consecutive year that Milwaukee SDS has made a presence in area of July 4 parades.
Milwaukee, WI – The Milwaukee 16, the students who were arrested at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) on March 4, the National Day of Action to Defend Education, have achieved victory. On June 29, the University offered to drop the charges and the investigation into the conduct of the UWM campus police continues.
Milwaukee, WI – Dozens of people arrived to an emergency protest, June 10, organized by the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) Students for a Democratic Society and the UWM Education Rights Campaign, as the University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents met to decide whether to hike tuition by another 5.5%.
Milwaukee, WI – Over 200 people rallied here, for the second time this week, to protest Israel's massacre of the participants in Freedom Flotilla – a mission to bring aid to Gaza.
Milwaukee, WI – A forum on education rights held at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) drew 300 people to hear a debate between Chancellor Santiago and the Education Rights Campaign. Chancellor Santiago agreed to participate in the public forum after 16 students and community members were arrested at his office on March 4, trying to meet with him about budget cuts and tuition hikes.
Milwaukee, WI – 65,000 marcharon en Milwaukee el primero de mayo a favor de los derechos inmigrantes y laborales. La marcha anual se dobló este año desde el año pasado. Los participantes exigieron una reforma migratoria inmediata y un fin a las leyes racistas de Arizona. Los Estudiantes por una Sociedad Democrática (SDS, por sus siglas en ingles) y el Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlán (MEChA) movilizaron un contingente fuerte de estudiantes.
Milwaukee, WI – 65,000 marched through Milwaukee May 1 for immigrant and worker rights. The annual march doubled in size from last year. Marchers demanded immediate immigration reform and an end to the racist laws in Arizona. Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) and Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlan (MEChA) mobilized a loud student contingent.
Milwaukee, WI – The Milwaukee 16 went to court to plead not guilty, April 15. Outside, a host of TV cameras and news crews were covering their case. When asked to comment on the case, the lawyers and arrestees demanded, “Drop the charges!”
Milwaukee, WI – One hundred people marched here, March 19, to protest the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan on the seventh anniversary of the invasion of Iraq.
Milwaukee, WI – On March 11, over 70 students, professors and teachers assistants picketed outside the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee chancellor’s office, as several organizers met inside with the chancellor to demand that he drop the threat of academic punishment for the 16 student protesters who were arrested during the March 4 National Day of Action for Education Rights.
Milwaukee, WI – Lining the entryway with banners and loud chants Dec. 3, 100 angry people arrived at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) to demand Karl Rove, former senior adviser and deputy chief of staff to the Bush administration, return the $25,000 speaker honorarium allocated to him by the university to speak.
Milwaukee, WI – Over 100 students marched and took over the chancellor's office at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Oct. 29, to demand the resignation of racist student senator Kyle Duerstein. The rally was put together by the newly-formed coalition Students Equalizing Rights Forever.
Since the near collapse of the banking system, Americans have paid billions to banks that are now making record profits. Meanwhile, students, workers and homeowners are facing unforgivable unemployment, homelessness and debt. In spite of this, the Obama administration continues to escalate the occupation of Afghanistan and maintain troops in Iraq, adding trillions to this country's deficit and financial crisis. It is the working people who will pay for these wars, just as we are paying for bailouts to greedy banks.