Appleton, WI – Over 75 community members gathered at Houdini Plaza on Saturday, October 4, for a protest marking two years of genocide in Gaza.

The action was hosted by Green Bay Anti-War Committee, Hate Free Outagamie, Green Bay Students for a Democratic Society, and Freedom Road Socialist Organization, in response to a nationwide call to action from the Anti-War Action Network.

Hate Free Outagamie’s speaker Mitch Erickson told the crowd, “Our presence here, on this grim anniversary, proves one thing: the goal of genocide and total erasure has failed, and they will continue to fail! Palestine still lives, the resistance still breathes, here, there, and everywhere!”

As people drove by, showing support by honking and waving, the UW-Green Bay SDS speaker remarked, “The Palestinian people's struggle has lit the world ablaze with a revolutionary spirit.”

After these speeches, protesters lined the sidewalks with Palestinian flags and signs while chanting for over an hour. Tanner Ziebell, of FRSO stated, “The clock is ticking for these entities, this system is dying! And as we get organized, we are increasingly capable of building something seriously revolutionary in this country, of driving the final dagger into the core of this sinister machine. The people will make these oppressive countries ungovernable, not only in Palestine, but across the entire world, including right here in the heart of it all!”

Ziebell continued, “Aid boats, strikes, protests all over the globe – working people of the world see themselves in Palestinian liberation! We recognize that the chains binding their freedom are the same ones that bind us here, and in all countries under capitalist rule.”

All of the organizations participating in this event have stood in solidarity for Palestine over the past two years. They have co-hosted events with each other including a Nakba day march, a vigil in October 2024, banner drops, and many other actions.

#AppletonWI #WI #AntiWarMovement #Palestine #GreenBayAWC #HateFreeOutagamie #SDS #AWAN

Appleton WI – On Friday, June 27, 100 community members gathered at Houdini Plaza in bustling downtown Appleton for Hate Free Outagamie’s rally to commemorate the 56th anniversary of the Stonewall uprising.

This action, cosponsored by Diverse and Resilient, the Green Bay Anti-War Committee and Freedom Road Socialist Organization, focused on the significance of the uprising, and the lessons it teaches us about the present moment.

As the crowd gathered, chants of “Deny existence, expect resistance!” echoed through town as attendees toured organization tables, accessing literature and resources.

Mary Bogen, chair of Hate Free Outagamie, spoke of the LGBTQ movement in Wisconsin. She cited the Black Nite uprising of 1961, the historical occupations of the capitol building in Madison and the development of safe spaces throughout the Fox Valley area. Bogen told the crowd, “This state was called ‘the gay rights state’ not because of politicians, but because we fought for it.” Bogen ended her address by saying, “When we realize Hate Free Outagamie isn't just a name, it’s a demand. That’s Stonewall.”

Lana Ksionek, chair of the Green Bay Anti-War Committee, spoke next. Ksionek spoke of Sylvia Rivera’s experience in New York, Rivera’s gender expression was illegal, and she was unhoused. Ksionek then spoke on her experience as a trans person and the connection to Stonewall, stating “while these are precarious times, I’m not getting arrested for dressing femme, I have a car and a legal job. This is not a ‘be grateful for what you have’ narrative, the point is our material conditions are much better than 1969, Slyvia walked so we could run.”

This was the first of its kind event in the Fox Valley and as the movement continues to grow amidst the second Trump presidency, we are sure we will see more commemorations to come.

#AppletonWI #WI #LGBTQ #Pride #HateFreeOutagamie #AWCGB

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.

The demonstration began with a short rally at the center of Houdini Plaza, which was overflowing with protesters. Hate Free Outagamie member Tanner Ziebell addressed the crowd, stating, “It is not just Trump who got us in this position, it’s a system which allows an administration like this to get into power, where establishment politicians’ best strategy to resist is holding up signs on television and doubling down on the status quo. This is not a system that serves the interests of the people.”

Ziebell continued, “I won’t sugarcoat it, the road is going to be a long one, but we are more than capable of paving it. Trump and this system are not omnipotent, they can be defeated!”

Appleton Area National Organization of Women President Irene Strohbeen then addressed the crowd, stating, “While we have won the battle in our supreme court, the war is still ahead of us!” Concluding her powerful address amidst loud cheers, Strohbeen chanted, “Hands off our healthcare! Hands off our Jobs! Hands off our education! See you on College Ave!”

Protesters then dispersed outwards along the sidewalks stretching over many city blocks. Downtown Appleton became a symphony of chants, cheers and honks from passing cars. From cardboard Tesla car cutouts, to signs reading “Fight trump” and “Down with the rich,” a powerful message was displayed all throughout Appleton.

When asked about why they were in attendance, Appleton SDS member Julie Kelly said, “As much as the direction to turn seems muddled, I came to support the more radical direction this movement is headed in, we can’t go back to the status quo, we must fight for something new.”

The April 5 protest was cosponsored by many organizations, including Appleton Area National Organization of Women, Hate Free Outagamie, 50501, Democratic Socialists of America, Forward Fox Valley, and Appleton Students for a Democratic Society.

This historic day of national actions found a strong presence in the Fox Valley. It is clear that with each executive order, each attack on the people, the resistance to Trump only grows. From hundreds against Musk in Green Bay last week, to hundreds protesting for the postal workers, to thousands in the street today, the movement in the Fox Valley seems to only grow larger and larger.

#AppletonWI #WI #PeoplesStruggles #HateFreeOutagamie #NOW #FFV #SDS #50501 #DSA #Trump

Appleton, WI – In the biting cold of a Wisconsin evening, over 100 community members gathered on November 20 at Houdini Plaza with cider and a shared revolutionary spirit to keep them warm. As trans and gender fluid voices rang out, their message echoed through Outagamie county with unmistakable clarity: “Trans sanctuary now! We won’t back down!”

This year's rally and vigil commemorated the 25th anniversary of the first Trans Day of Remembrance. It also marked a pivotal moment in the fight against transphobia. Organized by Hate Free Outagamie, the event launched a bold campaign to designate Outagamie County as a trans sanctuary.

Following in the footsteps of Milwaukee and Dane Counties, where protections against healthcare discrimination and directives to deprioritize enforcement of anti-trans laws were already enacted, this grassroots effort aims to make Outagamie a beacon of safety and resilience for the trans community.

Lana Ksionek, co-chair of Green Bay Anti War Committee spoke to the crowd, “We need to accept that the current society and government is not meant for us.” She declared, “We need to learn how to organize so we can build an alternative that includes us.”

Across the country, reactionary lawmakers, particularly in Republican-ruled states are pushing legislation designed to isolate the trans community, sow fear and erode people’s fundamental right to exist. While neighboring states Minnesota and Illinois passed protective laws for their trans residents, Wisconsin remains behind. Wisconsin is a potential testing ground for future anti-trans laws in the Midwest.

Speaking in front of a banner reading, “Trans sanctuary now! Defend your neighbors!” Danielle Bruce, of Appleton Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), said, “Our power is in numbers and the more of us that know the true history and continue to fight for collective liberation, the less they can oppress, repress, and suppress us all.” They reminded the crowd, “This is a vigil, so let’s honor those who have come before us and look forward to a better world for us all.”

The fight for a trans sanctuary will lay the foundation for a broader movement against reactionary attacks in the Fox Valley. By addressing urgent needs like protections against discrimination in healthcare, housing, employment and other key areas of struggle for survival, the people of Outagamie County can create a model of solidarity and resilience. It demonstrates that when a community comes together, it can challenge systemic injustice and begin to build a future where oppression has no place, and everybody is safe and supported.

Hate Free Outagamie called on every member of the community to act. As support grows around their petition, much more will come from this struggle in Outagamie county.

#AppletonWI #LGBTQ #HateFreeOutagamie #GBAWC #SDS