Milwaukee, WI – On Tuesday, March 31, Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) at the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee held a rally for Trans Day of Visibility. The event took place at the UWM library and was co-sponsored by Reproductive Justice Action Milwaukee and the Milwaukee Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression.

This rally started on a somber note, with local trans musicians playing songs of solidarity and hope.

Sasha Gurin from SDS spoke to his experience as a trans youth and the importance of the student movement’s fight for equality of gender in schools. He too spoke of the need for the queer and trans community to fight back against Trump’s agenda, telling attendees that the struggle for trans liberation is principally one against the Trump agenda, and it is on us to unite with the struggles for Palestinian liberation, immigrant rights, and countless others.

A member of Reproductive Justice Action Milwaukee stated, “Our work for reproductive justice does not exist without the fight for trans rights.” They then spoke to today’s present fight, and the work to be done. “While trans folks are visible, they're not all protected, and visibility without protection just leaves people vulnerable. It leaves people vulnerable to attacks, and harm, to hate and violence, vulnerable to supreme court rulings like the one that just came in this morning.”

This event came the same day as a dangerous Supreme Court ruling which overturned Colorado’s law banning conversion therapy for minors. This dangerous ruling sets precedent for similar rulings in 26 other states with similar laws. While the attacks from the Trump administration continue, so do the defenses of the people.

#MilwaukeeWI #WI #TransDayofVisibility #LGBTQ #Trans #SDS #StudentMovement #WomensMovement

On Monday, March 30 DHS and ICE took Salah Sarsour into custody. While driving, he was pulled over by ten ICE agents with no just cause.

Salah has been a lawful permanent resident in the United States for over 32 years. Salah serves as the president of the Islamic Society of Milwaukee (ISM), board member of the American Muslims for Palestine (AMP), and has been a prominent advocate for the Muslim and Palestinian communities for three decades.

Members of these communities understand that Sarsour is being targeted due to his leading roles locally and nationally. Like the targeting of Mahmoud Khalil, Leqaa Kordia, Mohsen Mahdawi and other pro-Palestinian people of conscience, Sarsour is being subjected to the same treatment. Just as in their cases, the people are calling to mobilize!

A press conference will be held today, April 2, at 4 p.m. in the Islamic Society Milwaukee Community Center (815 W. Layton Avenue).

Solidarity to Sarsour, his family, the Palestinian, Muslim, and immigrant communities. Opposing the genocide in Gaza is not a crime! Fighting for Palestinian liberation is not a crime! Free Salah Now! Join the movement to free Salah!

#MilwaukeeWI #WI #ICE #ImmigrantRights #AntiWarMovement #FRSO #ISM #AMP #Palestine

Milwaukee, WI – Over the weekend of March 7, Milwaukee’s International Women’s Day Coalition held two large community events honoring the ongoing women’s struggle. The decision to make the holiday a two day event came from the success of last year's march, taking place shortly after Trump’s second inauguration.

On Saturday, March 7, workshops and talks were held at PEAK initiative, a youth learning center located in Milwaukee’s midtown neighborhood. The four-hour event opened with poetry by Jonah Denae, a Milwaukee-based rapper and poet, and included keynote speaker Francesca Hong, a Democratic member of the Wisconsin State Assembly who is currently running for Wisconsin governor.

The workshops included “Women, Labor and Socialism” from FRSO and “Indigenous Matriarchy” from the Urban Indigenous League. The “Reproductive Justice for All” panel was led by Reproductive Justice Action Milwaukee (RJAM) and Care for All – two local organizations dedicated to safe abortion access and healthcare. The Milwaukee Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression (MAARPR) and the Milwaukee Area Labor Council led a “Know Your Rights” training, focusing on preparedness for ICE activity in the state.

Artists sold original works and prints, and all proceeds went back into the IWD coalition. Guests were served Thai, Laotian and Vietnamese food made by Mekong Cafe.

A plaque honoring Nada Mabourak, a fierce leader and dedicated activist who suddenly passed away just over a month ago, was given to Mabourak’s mother.

Most of Saturday’s participants, as well as some new faces, reassembled Sunday afternoon, March 8, in King Park for a rally and march through the King Park neighborhood as well as parts of downtown Milwaukee.

The opening rally placed heavy emphasis on the connection between women’s rights and immigrant rights. A member of ICE out of MKE Coalition spoke on the devastating effects deportations can have on families, and how class and immigration status can have ruinous effects on the education and safety of girls and women.

A member of MAARPR shared her own experience as a first generation Mexican-American woman and of the terror ICE is bringing to the Florida community she comes from. “There are no women’s rights without immigrant rights. When a mother is scared to take her children to school because of ICE, that is a violation of her rights. You can't say a woman is free when she is constantly looking over her shoulder.”

Finally, the US Palestinian Community Network spoke on the steadfastness and strength of the Palestinian women under the decades of violent Israeli occupation and honored those who have been martyred in the ongoing genocide.

Marchers were led by the IWD Coalition banner which read, “Families Fight Back! Stop Killer ICE. Bodily Autonomy For All.” As they started their route they chanted “The women, united, will never be defeated!” “Keep abortion safe and legal!” Hundreds of voices echoed off of the buildings around the marchers and were easily heard for blocks.

Many people were carrying signs supplied by the large FRSO contingent, which read “Stand with immigrant women. Solidaridad con les mujeres immigrantes.” Some made and brought their own, with slogans like “Destroy the patriarchy not the planet” and “Women’s liberation – not capitalist feminism.”

At the second stop the crowd heard from Students for a Democratic Society, BLOC or Black Leaders Organizing for Communities, as well as Dr. Anna G Mirer, a primary care provider who is currently the last healthcare professional in Milwaukee providing gender-affirming care for minors.

The energy stayed high the entire way back to King Park. “What’s disgusting? Union busting! What’s outrageous? Kids in cages!” bounced off of the Fiserv Forum and carried through to parts of the city the marchers hadn’t reached by foot.

Back at King Park RJAM, the National Union of Healthcare Workers and the Milwaukee Anti-war Committee (MAC) gave the final remarks. A member if MAC concluded with “To liberate women here at home and around the world we must be anti-imperialist and fight against the military industrial complex. As we conclude our march, let’s remember that we were marching today in solidarity with immigrant women, for justice for Renee Good, for justice for the Iranian girls murdered in the U.S. strike and for all oppressed women everywhere.”

#MilwaukeeWI #WI #InternationalWomensDay #WomensMovement #LGBTQ #ImmigrantRights

Milwaukee, WI – On Tuesday, March 3, around 15 people gathered during peak rush hour at the Locust Street overpass in Milwaukee for a banner drop demanding U.S. hands off Cuba, Venezuela and Iran.

Led by the Milwaukee Anti-war Committee and co-sponsored by Students for a Democratic Society – UWM (SDS – UWM) and the Anti-War Action Network (AWAN), attendees waved a Venezuelan flag and held up signs that demanded “Stop U.S. war on Venezuela,” “No war on Iran” and “Honk 4 peace.” Along the overpass, three banners proudly hung from the chain link fence that read, “Hands off Venezuela,” “U.S. hands off Cuba,” and “Hands off Iran! End U.S. aid to Israel.”

There was a stream of nearly continuous honks from both the highway and those driving over the overpass, making it clear that Milwaukeeans do not support the escalating aggression and acts of war against Iran, Cuba or Venezuela.

Chris Van Valkenberg, member of SDS-UWM, stated: “When we do these banner drops, we can see the importance of being out here and standing against U.S. intervention and escalation. Hearing the almost constant honks from cars and trucks passing on the interstate really highlights that these are working class issues.”

Van Valkenburg continued, “The masses of people don't want their tax dollars spent on bombs. They want that money to benefit the people of Milwaukee. They want that money going into schools and healthcare.”

As the sun was setting, the streets of Milwaukee echoed with chants, including “From Cuba to the Middle East, we demand justice, we demand peace” and “the U.S. lies and then they bomb, first Gaza, then Iran.”

The banner drop was part of the AWAN National Day of Action with nearly 20 coordinated protests across the country in solidarity with the people of Iran, Cuba and Venezuela. March 3 marks the two month anniversary of the illegal kidnapping of Venezuelan President Maduro and First Lady Flores who are being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, New York.

This National Day of Action occurred just three days after Milwaukee mobilized an emergency action to demand no war with Iran in response to the joint U.S. and Israeli airstrikes which have murdered nearly 800 Iranians already.

The people of Milwaukee make it abundantly clear that we must continue the fight for a free Palestine and to demand the U.S. out of everywhere!

#MilwaukeeWI #WI #AntiWarMovement #Iran #SDS #AWAN #MAC

Milwaukee, WI – On Saturday, February 28, around 70 people gathered in Milwaukee’s Zeidler Union Square Park for an emergency action to demand no war with Iran, braving the cold and snow.

The protest, led by the Milwaukee Anti-war Committee (MAC), was in response to Israel and the U.S. launching a series of air strikes, killing over 200 Iranians and wounding hundreds, including at least 148 young girls who were murdered while attending classes at their elementary school.

MAC had been prepared for an emergency response as U.S. aggression ramped up against Iran. A month before, the organization had released an emergency action plan stating that it would call a protest for the day of an attack at 5 p.m. MAC, along with 17 other endorsing organizations, were prepared to fight back.

Emcee Sara Onitsuka, co-chair of MAC, started the rally, stating, “We are enraged for the Iranians who are being killed and injured. We are enraged for Palestinians, who are still facing genocide and starvation at the hands of Israel and the U.S. We are enraged for the whole region, who are in great danger from the U.S. and Israel’s attacks. And we are also enraged that people in the U.S. are forced to have our tax money go to death and destruction as many struggle to survive. We raise our voices today to fight in solidarity with Iran, against this grave injustice.”

“This unprovoked attack is not about Iran having nuclear weapons. This is about Israeli hegemony in the Middle East and toppling the Iranian government,” said Stephanie Spalatin, a member of Milwaukee Anti-war Committee.

“Like many of you I woke up this morning to see pictures of bloody backpacks that were found outside of the elementary school that the U.S. and Israel bombed. Those images reminded me of the car that Hind Rajab was in that was covered in 500 bullet holes from when the Israelis murdered her. It reminds me of the images we see every day coming out of Palestine, Lebanon, Haiti, Sudan, the Congo, out of all these places where we see women under attack all over the world”, said Casey Serrano representing Milwaukee’s International Women’s Day Coalition. “We are here to stand in solidarity with these women all over the world until every woman is safe and free!”

At 5:40 p.m., the rally paused for a call to prayer and breaking the fast for Ramadan. Dates and water were passed around as sunset hit in snowy Milwaukee.

After the breaking of the fast, there were more speeches, and chants such as “From Iran to the Philippines, end the U.S. war machine” and “From the belly of the beast, hands off the Middle East” to keep the energy of the crowd up.

Representative Ryan Clancy said, “In early 2003, I was in Baghdad trying to protest the war and protect the civilian infrastructure that I knew would be targeted and attacked just as the U.S. has targeted and attacked civilian infrastructure overnight. We cannot look at regime change by targeting an elementary school and killing any number of children. We are here to stand with the people of Iran here today.”

“It’s not about the freedom of women. What kind of freedom do you want to send to Iran by killing girls in their schools?” said Salah Sarsour of Islamic Society of Milwaukee. “We are here today to stop this, and work hard for real peace, and to stop all these killings all over the world. That’s why we stand against war with Iran.”

Closing out the rally, Chris Van Valkenberg from Students for a Democratic Society – UWM discussed their experience as a student teacher, stating, “For the first two years at UWM, I was an education major. I think about these elementary aged girls that were just murdered, and I think about my own students that I was student teaching just last semester. I don’t have the words to describe the pain and anguish that there is right now.”

Van Valkenberg continued, “It is abundantly clear that these strikes are not going to lead to peace. As much as Trump claims himself the anti-war president, these strikes and any more escalation will continue to have blood spilled and lives lost.”

A war with Iran remains deeply unpopular in the U.S. and the world. Through the Anti-War Action Network’s call to action, over 20 cities nationwide responded to the call to demand no war with Iran. Milwaukee added its voice to the call, vowing to continue rising up and taking the streets.

#MilwaukeeWI #WI #AntiWarMovement #MAC #SDS

Milwaukee, WI – On Saturday, February 21, around 30 people gathered at Zeidler Union Square Park for a rally in solidarity with Palestine. The family-friendly rally featured music, a sign-making station, and chalk and markers for art. The rally was in conjunction with the week of action by the Anti-War Action Network.

Led by the Milwaukee Anti-war Committee (MAC), the rally marked the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement between Israel and Palestine – and the problems with its implementation. Palestinians have seen no semblance of peace despite the agreement. In violation of the ceasefire deal, Israel continues to bomb Palestinians, starve the population, and prevent aid from making its way into Gaza.

Emcee Sara Onitsuka, co-chair of MAC, opened the event, stating, “The anti-war movement has been busy already this year. We’ve seen the bombing of Venezuela and the kidnapping of President Nicolás Maduro, increasing threats on Iran, and we’re showing up to support protests against ICE. But we need to make sure we are still highlighting Palestine, keeping it front and center, and that our fight never wavers even as we are also responding to other things. Because all these issues are interconnected in our fight against the Trump agenda and the U.S. war machine.”

Khaled Abukhamireh of U.S. Palestinian Community Network (USPCN) Milwaukee told the crowd, “Do not be fooled. This ceasefire is a tactical calculation in the ongoing genocide against the Palestinian people to divert international attention away from Palestine because the U.S. cannot handle global mobilization efforts. The U.S. continues to attack immigrant and marginalized communities at home while they kidnap Venezuelan President Maduro, starve Cuba, and attack Iran, Yemen and Lebanon.”

Heba Mohammad, an organizer with Milwaukee4Palestine explained, “Since April of 2025, Milwaukee4Palestine has been leading the fight to stop the expansion of the Milwaukee Police Department's surveillance program. When we learned MPD wanted to acquire its own facial recognition technology (FRT), only one thing came to mind: Palestine and how the road to fascism and genocide are paved with surveillance. After all, surveillance tech, and FRT in particular, are “Israel's” largest exports.”

Mohammad continued, “The conversation grew to include fears about ICE using FRT data to terrorize our communities, and we made sure folks knew ICE is trained in Israel, too, to further uplift the links between oppression here and in Palestine. In the end, MPD Chief Norman voluntarily issued a moratorium on FRT use by the MPD. That is a huge victory and it happened because of the people who turned out for Palestine from day one.”

Catie Petralia, of the International Women’s Day Coalition said, “We stand in solidarity with the people of Palestine, and women who resist the imperialist U.S. war machine in all countries abroad where some women have to give birth during a genocide with no resources to food water or healthcare.”

Petralia continued, “We stand in solidarity with all immigrants in our country. Women and children are facing horrifying situations in these detention centers, including sexual violence, a lack of healthcare and safety for pregnant women, and family separation. The government thrives on exploiting and endangering the most vulnerable class of women in our country.“

After speeches, the crowd was directed to the sidewalk to stand with their signs and flags, in full view of the cars passing by on the road. Accompanied by a drum, the crowd chanted “Free free Palestine!” “In our millions, in our billions, we are all Palestinians!” and “From MKE to Falasteen, end the U.S. war machine!”, to honks from supportive cars.

The Trump administration is attacking from all sides at this moment, but the Milwaukee Anti-war Committee and the people of Milwaukee are committed to keeping Palestine at the forefront of the struggle. 20 community organizations endorsed this event, including the Milwaukee Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression, Black Alliance for Peace, Milwaukee for Yemen, Milwaukee for Sudan, Milwaukee for Palestine, and more, a display of unity that is crucial in this moment.

MAC is looking forward to marching in the streets on International Women's Day, March 8, where Palestinian liberation and resistance to the U.S. war machine will continue to be uplifted.

#MilwaukeeWI #WI #AntiWarMovement #Palestine

Milwaukee, WI – On Tuesday, February 3, the people’s struggle in Milwaukee lost one of their strongest comrades, Nada Moubarak, aged 24.

Moubarak was a leader in the Students for Democratic Society (SDS) chapter at the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee (UWM,) the Popular University for Palestine Coalition, Coalition to March in the RNC 2024, and chair of the Medic Subcommittee in the Milwaukee Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression (MAARPR).

Moubarak first began organizing in the movement to free Palestine shortly after the events of October 7, 2023 with SDS – UWM. It took little to no time for her to become a fierce leader in the movement. She became the security chair of SDS-UWM and eventually served as its secretary. Moubarak, along with her comrades in SDS, served as a pivotal leader in the successful 14-day encampment at the Falesteen Lawn at UWM. Moubarak was pursuing a nursing degree, utilizing her expertise in healthcare to support the movements in Milwaukee.

Shortly after, Moubarak was approached by the leadership of the Coalition to March on the RNC 2024 to help the security detail of the Coalition. With her expertise in healthcare, she led the medical team with great care and attention to detail – all medical-related incidents on the 95-degree day were handled effectively. The medic team for the Coalition was nothing short of a great success.

Before graduation, Moubarak officially joined MAARPR and was appointed to the medic subcommittee. As a result of her appointment, she held multiple trainings for Stop the Bleed and two-day street medic trainings. Moubarak’s vision for the subcommittee was to establish a group of street medics for organizations in Milwaukee to call upon for their respective actions. This dream will be fulfilled in due time.

Moubarak is survived by her parents, siblings, nieces, nephews and her comrades. Let us best remember Nada Moubarak by carrying on her passion and heart that she put into everything she did. Until Palestine is free, until we win community control of the police, until we meet again!

#MilwaukeeWI #WI #Remembrances #Opinion

“We took action today to ask the Target corporation to lift their powerful voice and say ICE out of Minnesota. In West Milwaukee today a Target manager clearly stated that their stores are private property. Why don’t they mark it as such? That would create a much safer environment for workers and shoppers. It would prevent ICE from doing raids inside the stores,” said Pam Fendt, the president of the Milwaukee Area Labor Council. 

Fendt continued, “They proved our point. They could do something about ICE actions in our neighboring state, and so far they are choosing not to. When local police arrived today, they said Target can decide who’s in their store because it’s private property. It was an act of solidarity today to help expose Target’s double standard.”

Individuals passed out leaflets in both English and Spanish about ICE to customers as they entered or exited. After the reading was finished, the group chanted “What do we want? ICE out! When do we want it? Now!” and sang Solidarity Forever while holding signs that read “Target, speak out! ICE out of Minnesota!” in both English and Spanish.

After only about ten minutes, West Milwaukee police officers showed up on the scene to disrupt the action. The store manager stood nearby and became very hostile with the group of activists. Despite her disposition, the manager was presented with a letter to the Target CEO to send it to her superiors. As the police shepherded the group out of the store, they once again sang “Which side are you on, Target, which side are you on?”

“Target demonstrated today that their security team is prepared to kick people out of their store if they think it's necessary. If ICE agents come in without a warrant and threaten the safety of our community, will Target kick them out, too?” said Piper Hogan, a member of the Wisconsin Federation of Nurses & Health Professionals Local 5000 and the Young Worker’s Committee. “That's what we're demanding. We won't sit idly by when ICE comes to terrorize Milwaukee, and neither should these corporations.”

The national corporate headquarters for the popular chain resides in Minneapolis, where for months federal immigration forces have terrorized communities. On January 8, video came out from Richfield, Minnesota, showing 17-year-old Jonathan Aguilar Garcia being tackled and dragged out of a Target, shortly followed by another of his co-workers.

Target has been the focus of a boycott stemming from a 2025 decision to their Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs, and their apparent willingness to collaborate with the ICE terror in Minnesota has only added fuel to the fire. Thus far, since the rollout of the boycott last year, Target has lost money – reports show a 19% decrease in profits from the prior year on top of a five-year low on stock prices – and their corporate offices have done some major restructuring, including 1800 corporate jobs being cut and CEO Brian Cornell stepping down.

For anyone interested in taking similar actions in their own communities, they can visit iceoutnowmn.com for a tool kit and other resources.

#MilwaukeeWI #WI #Labor #ImmigrantRights #ICE #Target #AlexPretti

Milwaukee, WI – On the cold evening of January 30, the Milwaukee Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression (MAARPR) held a vigil at All People’s Gathering Church. The space is not only a worship center but a historic refuge for victims of state violence, having supported the family of Dontre Hamilton when he was killed by police in 2014 at a park just two miles south. Once again, All People’s held space for stolen lives as organizers and community members mourned the nine people already killed by ICE in 2026.

Sam Baragan, a member of MAARPR and Comite Sin Fronteras, welcomed attendees and shared her personal experience under Trump, explaining “I am a DACA-mented woman, and the current climate around ICE has filled me with fear, anxiety and deep emotional distress. I find myself constantly worried, not only for myself, but for my community, my friends, my neighbors, and the people I love. This vigil is a pause. A moment to come together in community.”

Pastor Evan McVann then prayed over the congregation to start the night and recited Leviticus 19:33-34: “When an immigrant resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. The immigrants residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were immigrants once.”

The open mic portion began and people from all over the community offered original songs, stories from the border, and words of empowerment.

Brian Verdin, an original member of 1973 MAARPR, recited the nine names: Alex Pretti, Renee Good, Keith Porter, Heber Sánchez Domínguez, Victor Manuel Diaz, Parady La, Luis Beltrán Yáñez–Cruz, Luis Gustavo Núñez Cáceres and Geraldo Lunas Campos.

Verdin reassured the crowd that “the heat of the people will melt the ICE,” a message received with resounding applause. The music then continued, courtesy of the Milwaukee Justice Singers as they sang Hold On, “Hold on my dear ones, here comes the dawn.”

To close, youth educator Casey Serrano (MAARPR) offered ways the community can continue to band together and organize after the program. The main highlight was Barrio Walks with the Alliance, or canvassing sessions on the city’s South Side, which recently passed out 500 “Know your Rights” flyers in just 30 minutes that week with the help of community members. Serrano shared “Recently, I find myself praying. Praying for my students, for my community.”

Serrano then called for all those gathered to “be the hands and feet of Christ. We must have the wisdom and clarity to see things for what they are and what must be done, and have the perseverance to carry it out.”

#MilwaukeeWI #WI #ImmigrantRights #ICE #MAARPR #AlexPretti #KillerICE

Milwaukee, WI – On Tuesday, January 27, nearly 3000 people rallied outside of the ICE facility on the Milwaukee School of Engineering campus to protest the terror and recent killings inflicted by Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE) agents.

The rally and march was organized by the ICE Out of Milwaukee Coalition, which is composed of The Milwaukee Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression (MAARPR), Voces De La Frontera, Milwaukee Area Labor Council (MALC), No Kings Milwaukee, and other organizations. Many unions came out in the single-digit weather to support, grieve and make sure their voices were heard.

The rally opened with a call and response for the nine people killed by ICE this year alone. Alan Chavoya of Freedom Road Socialist Organization called out each victim's name and the crowd responded with “Presente!” emphasizing that the spirits of the victims stay alive when everyone continues to fight. This was led by a moment of silence.

Retired VA nurse Terry Hess spoke on the recent execution of Alex Pretti, a Twin Cities ICU nurse. Pretti was shot multiple times by two Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) agents after he acted to defend a fellow protester who was being attacked. Hess’s delivery was very emotional as he spoke on the oath nurses take to stand up against human rights violations and help others, and how Pretti was fulfilling his duty as a healthcare professional until the very end.

Connie Smith, the president of the Wisconsin Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals, was there representing her union, emphasizing the direct connection between Trump’s attack on labor and his escalation of ICE.

“To all of my immigrant friends, and to my allies, don’t hide deeper in the shadows. Join us. Don’t let this administration’s tactics win. Milwaukee knows how to fight back,” said a representative speaking on behalf of Comite Sin Fronteras, an organization made up of young immigrants and DACA recipients. “When we fight back, we win. When we organize, we win. When we strategize, we win, and when we rise up, we win.”

Another member of Voces De La Frontera wrapped up the rally portion, speaking on the harm that is done when people are sharing unverified rumors of ICE presence in our cities. She elaborated on how this continues to spread confusion within our communities rather than providing facts.

The protesters marched roughly two miles through the heart of Milwaukee’s downtown. At times the march took up both traffic lanes, redirecting the flow of cars at each new intersection.

The stream of people, which was many city blocks long, had many different chants going at once. “Say it once, say it twice, we will not put up with ICE!” carried through while “From Palestine to Mexico, these border walls have got to go!” was heard not far behind.

Ending back where they started at the ICE facility, Alan Chavoya spoke again, “It’s not about saving immigrants, it's not about taking pity on them, it's about standing firmly with them shoulder to shoulder and putting an end to this damn ICE terror!”

Before dispersing for the night, protesters were told how they can further get involved in local organizations to continue the fight against ICE.

#MilwaukeeWI #WI #ImmigrantRights #ICE

Milwaukee WI – On January 20, Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) students organized with Youth Empowered In the Struggle (YES!) won their campaign for the School Board to pass a resolution that would provide additional transparency and accountability for the School Resource Officers (SROs) that have returned to MPS this year.

The new resolution includes several restrictions on SROs’ power including strictly limiting when SROs can get involved with disruptive behavior, giving school staff final say over discipline in schools, barring strip searches, barring use of force and arrest in almost all cases, and mandating clear quarterly reporting about what SROs are doing in MPS.

During public testimony, students, teachers and community members shared many firsthand accounts of the ways SROs made schools more unsafe. Students made it clear they wanted the SROs out altogether.

“Some say SROs will improve the connections between cops and students, but that connection was lost long ago,” testified high schooler Payton Bone. There was real unity – between students with YES!, teachers with the Milwaukee Teachers and Educators Association, and community groups like Voces de la Frontera, Black Leaders Organizing our Communities, and the Milwaukee Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression – that Milwaukee Police Department officers made schools more dangerous for everyone involved.

In 2020, Milwaukee Public Schools removed SROs from all of their schools. This was a victory for students, parents and school staff who wanted the notoriously violent and racist MPD out of their schools. Unfortunately, the passage of Act 12 in 2023 by the state legislature forced Milwaukee to put SROs back in schools or pay hefty fines. The new resolution was the first step in giving students, parents and staff more control over their schools.

Milwaukee’s students and community are already looking for how to build on this victory. Christine Neumann-Ortiz, the leader of Voces de La Frontera, told the board, “That’s what’s needed from all of you – to stand up for what’s right and ensure there’s community control for how local law enforcement operates.”

Students from four high schools this week in Milwaukee have already walked out against ICE raids. MPS students and community have their sights set on even bigger victories to come.

#MilwaukeeWI #WI #Schools #InJusticeSystem #StudentMovement #MPS #YES

Milwaukee, WI – On Tuesday, January 20, more than 150 protesters gathered in the frigid cold to mark one year of the second Trump presidency and one year of people’s resistance against his racist, reactionary agenda attacking immigrant, student, worker and reproductive rights.

The Milwaukee Anti-war Committee (MAC) organized the rally and car caravan, concluding their final event for their No War with Venezuela Month of Action. Before the rally, attendees decorated their cars with large car toppers and placed signs in their windows reading “Free Palestine,” “Trump, tiny hands off Gaza” and “Free President Maduro! No War on Venezuela.” Community members were also there with handwarmers and snacks.

The event began with a rally at Washington Park, where speakers talked about the various ways of organizing Trump’s attacks and the importance of standing united with one another.

Casey Serrano from Milwaukee Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression (MAARPR) said, “Just like the people of Venezuela aren’t afraid of masked special forces, we are not afraid of masked ICE thugs! We will continue to build unity and get organized so that all of us in Milwaukee are ready for if and when ICE comes here. We won’t back down, because when we fight, we win!”

Eva Dickenson, of MAC stated, “In the last few weeks, the U.S. threats on Iran have intensified significantly as well. The U.S. and Israel see an ‘in’ in Iran, not to follow the needs of the people, but, similarly to Venezuela, to replace a government that has never bowed to the U.S.’s will with one that will get right in line.”

Dickenson continued, “The Trump administration and its lackeys, whether the U.S. military, or ICE, or the National Guard, should not be able to go in and take over, in opposition to the will of the people.”

After the speeches, attendees returned to their cars to begin the caravan. The car caravan, acting as a funeral procession, forced traffic to a halt with more than 150 cars participating. The caravan passed by the Milwaukee Public School Central Office, where Youth Empowered in the Struggle (YES), the youth arm of immigrant rights group Voces de la Frontera, was holding a rally about protecting students with a policy that limits the power that School Resource Officers (police officers) have. Students cheered on the caravan as cars honked in support of their rally.

Throughout the route, attendees received supportive honks and thumbs up as stopped cars observed the caravan, with some cars even joining mid-caravan.

After the car caravan made its presence known in the Washington Heights neighborhood, attendees briefly gathered back at Washington Park. Attendees were reminded that we must continue to unite in action against the Trump administration, against ICE attacks, against the genocide in Palestine, against the attacks on Venezuela, and against political repression that protesters in the U.S. face.

#MilwaukeeWI #WI #ImmigrantRights #Trump #PeoplesStruggles

Milwaukee, WI – On Saturday, January 17, over 30 community members drove through a snowstorm to gather at Milwaukee Public Library to attend Milwaukee Anti-war Committee’s (MAC) teach-in on Venezuela, part of MAC’s No War with Venezuela month of action. Attendees heard speakers cover Venezuela’s rich history of resistance and the connections between Venezuela and Palestine.

The teach-in featured four activists, starting with MAC Education Co-chair Añita Herrezuelo, who spoke on the U.S.’s long history of meddling, intervention and coup attempts in Venezuela, which has continuously been met with successful resistance. There is a pattern of the U.S. committing illegal war crimes, most recently kidnapping Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro under the pretense of “drug trafficking,” without any evidence.

Herrezuelo stated, “Western media ignores the historical sabotage of the U.S. on Venezuela’s economy. Instead, it often talks about poverty, inflation, inaccessibility of goods, ‘corruption,’ and blames this solely on the Venezuelan government and economic system while never talking about the coup attempts, hybrid warfare, and illegal sanctions by the U.S.”

Casey Serrano of Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO) recently returned from a solidarity delegation to Venezuela, attending the International Peoples’ Assembly for Sovereignty and Peace hosted by the Simón Bolivar Institute for Peace and Solidarity Among Peoples. That assembly gathered thousands of people from around the world, even from the U.S. as Trump issued a no-fly zone. Casey spoke about their experiences meeting union workers and visiting several communes led by working class people. 

One of the most important takeaways from their trip was the difference in priorities between U.S. presidents and Venezuelan President Maduro. While at the commune, their delegation and ambassadors from other countries, including Russia and Burkina Faso, waited while President Maduro first toured the commune and walked among the people. 

Casey stated, “President Maduro’s speech was about reinvesting money into the communes and reinvesting money into the people. In the U.S., all we hear about is how we’re going to reinvest money into fighting other countries, like Venezuela, and giving more money to Netanyahu. It’s all about these external battles that the U.S. is so concerned about and never about putting more money into education, healthcare, food, or anything else that would actually make anybody’s life better.”

Eric Kleppe-Montenegro, a member of Guacamaya Roja, a national organization made up of Colombian diasporas, talked about the solidarity between Venezuela and Latin American countries.

Kleppe-Montenegro stated, “Under President Gustavo Petro, Colombia has been able to prevent any sort of U.S. intervention to be staged from Colombia. President Petro understands that an attack on Venezuela is an attack on Colombia, and that solidarity is what we see in Cuba too. Venezuela and Cuba have both suffered under the same type of economic blockade and have come to depend on each other greatly, especially because of how much Cuba depends on the Venezuelan economy to stay afloat. This isn’t about Venezuela, and it’s never just been about Venezuela. It’s about all of Latin America and the threat to our sovereignty, our freedom, dignity, and self-determination.”

The threat to Venezuela significantly impacts the surrounding region, including Puerto Rico. Herrezuelo noted that Puerto Rico has been under permanent U.S. military occupation and has been unable to govern itself.

The bombing of Caracas and kidnapping of President Maduro is one front of U.S. imperialism. This comes as the destruction of Gaza by Israel continues, a central project of U.S. imperialism for decades. Janan Najeeb, co-chair of the Wisconsin Coalition for Justice in Palestine, spoke about not only the coordinated similarities of U.S. imperialism, but the history of solidarity between the Venezuelan and Palestinian people.

“Since the rule of Hugo Chavez, Venezuela has been a strong supporter of Palestinian rights, twice expelling the Israeli ambassador,” Najeeb said. “Chavez was a hero in the Arab world. Maduro was also hated by Israel, for condemning their actions and calling them an illegal state.”

As the United States and Trump regime continue to make enemies around the world and within their own borders, the solidarity movement only grows stronger. MAC will conclude their No War with Venezuela month of actions with a One Year Against Trump rally and car caravan on Tuesday, January 20.

Details for January 20 can be found on MAC’s Facebook and Instagram accounts.

#MilwaukeeWI #WI #AntiWarMovement #MAC #Venezuela

Milwaukee, WI – On Wednesday, January 14, nearly a dozen people met at Zao MKE Church to participate in Milwaukee Anti-war Committee (MAC)’s phone zap in solidarity with the Jacksonville Palestine Solidarity Network (JPSN) and to watch the documentary The Revolution Will Not Be Televised.

Throughout the day and at the beginning of the evening event, Milwaukee activists and community members called Florida State Attorney Melissa Nelson to demand that all charges be dropped against the three activists who were targeted and attacked by Jacksonville police for their anti-war organizing. This phone zap was organized one week before one activist’s final pretrial hearing and was part of a national day of action with the Anti-War Action Network (AWAN).

Chris Van Valkenberg, chair of University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s Students for a Democratic Society (SDS UWM), stated, “As someone who’s experienced political repression, it’s important to publicize the political repression you’re facing through statements, packing the court, and hosting call-in campaigns to drop the charges. These actions have a big impact. We know that protesting is not a crime, and that’s why it’s important to speak out against political repression.”

They went on to provide examples of national call-in campaigns and the recent wins for organizations and community members that were facing severe political repression.

“When three students in SDS UWM were unable to register for classes due to their involvement with Palestine solidarity protests, SDS UWM held a national call-in campaign. Within an hour, all three students were able to enroll in classes. It is because of these national calls to action that we’ve seen the federal charges dropped against immigrant rights organizer Alejandro Orellana in Los Angeles last summer and the ‘Tampa 5’ students a few years ago. Across the country, we know that when we fight, we win!”

After the brief remarks, attendees watched The Revolution Will Not Be Televised, a documentary on the 2002 coup attempt against former Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez.

After the event, attendees felt motivated and ready to stand up and fight back against political repression and to demand no U.S. intervention in Venezuela, in Palestine, in Iran, or anywhere.

The phone zap and movie night were part of MAC’s No War with Venezuela Month of Action, announced in early January during a press conference at Milwaukee City Hall. This month of action comes on the heels of escalating U.S. military aggression against Venezuela, including bombing Caracas which killed 100 people and the kidnapping of President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores.

MAC’s month of action will continue with a teach-in on Venezuela on January 17, supporting the annual MLK Day event on January 19, and concluding with a One Year Against Trump March and Rally on January 20.

Details for future events can be found on MAC’s Facebook and Instagram accounts.

#MilwaukeeWI #WI #AntiWarMovement #MAC #JaxPSN #AWAN

Milwaukee, WI – On Sunday, January 11, an audience of around 20 people gathered at Zao MKE Church to watch a webinar featuring five anti-war activists who visited Venezuela in the last month, hosted by the Anti-War Action Network (AWAN). 

The webinar watch party, convened by the Milwaukee Anti-war Committee (MAC) and Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), was part of MAC’s No War with Venezuela Month of Action, called in early January in response to the Trump administration’s escalating aggression against Venezuela, including an intense bombing campaign and the kidnapping of President Nicolás Maduro.

Sara Onitsuka, co-chair of MAC, introduced the webinar and provided context on its relation to anti-war organizing in Milwaukee. 

“It is so important to build the anti-war movement in the U.S. and locally,” Onitsuka said. “The U.S. government repeats the same imperialist playbook, with just a few modifications, over and over across the world. Meanwhile in the U.S., including in Milwaukee, most are struggling just to meet our basic needs. We deserve better here, just as people all over the world deserve to no longer be under the boot of U.S. imperialism.” 

Chris Van Valkenberg, chair of SDS, followed up with the connection to student organizing, stating, “Historically we’ve seen the anti-war movement and the student movement work very closely together, from Vietnam to Palestine. And we’re going to have to work very closely again as we stand in solidarity with and say no war with Venezuela.”

After introductions, attendees settled in to watch the webinar. After opening comments from the emcee, Jae Franklin, an activist with the Chicago Anti-War Committee, talked about the first day of the conference that their delegation attended – the International Peoples’ Assembly for Sovereignty and Peace, hosted by the Simón Bolivar Institute for Peace and Solidarity Among Peoples. In particular, they were struck by a quote from Blanca Eekhout, the president of the Simón Bolivar Institute, who said, “Fear cannot defeat the conviction of the Venezuelan people.”

Jessica Plichta, an organizer with Grand Rapids Opponents of War who recently gained significant media attention for being arrested by Grand Rapids police immediately after finishing a news interview, talked of the importance of international solidarity. Plichta quoted Delcy Rodríguez, current acting president, “No blockade can defeat solidarity. No blockade can defeat the love that other peoples of the world have for Venezuela, and no threat or military aggression can destroy this love for our people.”

Izzy McCabe from Seattle Against War, who presented on the delegation’s visit to the Ministry of Women, reiterated a message of solidarity: “The people of the United States and Venezuela have a common enemy, a common fight, and a common goal.“ 

AWAN webinar presenters talked further about the communes, food sovereignty and labor organizing in Venezuela. They shared their experiences talking not just with assembly participants, but also working-class Venezuelans on the streets of Caracas. They said that what they heard the most in Venezuela was that they all need to be united against Trump.

After the webinar, watch party attendees discussed what they had learned. One attendee noted that it was not only helpful to hear the takeaways from their delegation, but also how much fun they were having. Hearing of their experiences in Caracas helped to disrupt the mainstream view in the U.S. of Venezuela as a violent and dangerous place. 

Watch party attendees also discussed how to tie back to organizing in Milwaukee. There have been similar instances of political repression in Milwaukee, particularly among student organizers. They discussed the importance of fighting repression, not being afraid of it, and using it as a tool to bring people out to support the cause. 

The watch party attendees left the event re-energized and ready to fight back.

Since early January, MAC’s Month of Action has gained broad support in Milwaukee and beyond. As of Sunday, 17 organizations have endorsed MAC’s Month of Action.

MAC’s month of action will continue with a phone zap against the political repression of anti-war activists in Jacksonville as part of a National Day of Action with AWAN on January 14, a teach-in on Venezuela on January 17, supporting the annual MLK Day event on January 19, and concluding with a One Year Against Trump March and Rally on January 20. 

Details for future events can be found on MAC’s Facebook and Instagram accounts.

#MilwaukeeWI #WI #AntiWarMovement #Venezuela #MAC #AWAN #SDS

The rally was declared a day after the U.S. invaded Venezuela, bombed its main cities, killed a combined 80 Venezuelans and Cubans, and kidnapped the president of Venezuela and his wife to take them back to try them illegally in the States. This invasion was followed up by President Trump’s own words about how this invasion was “about oil.”

Wisconsin State Representative Ryan Clancy, representing Wisconsin's 19th Assembly District, stated, “It was shocking for me to hear Trump come out and say, ‘We're going to turn control of Venezuela over to the biggest oil companies and take control from the people of Venezuela and put it in corporate hands.’”

Casey Serrano from the Freedom Road Socialist Organization told the crowd, “Venezuela is not a narco-terrorist state, it is a democracy that threw off the Spanish under the leadership of Bolivar, that threw off the imperialist collaborators under Chavez, and the people of Venezuela have taken to the streets demanding Maduro back, demanding their sovereignty!”

In between speeches, the protesters chanted in support of Venezuela, shouting, “No war with Venezuela!”, “1, 2, 3, 4! Intervention no more!” “No blood for oil! U.S. off Venezuelan soil” and “No troops on the ground! No bombs in the air! U.S. out of everywhere!”

As the Trump administration increases its attacks and ramps up propaganda against Venezuela and greater Latin America, Milwaukee will take to the streets to resist and educate about the real danger in the world – the U.S. war machine.

#MilwaukeeWI #WI #AntiWarMovement #Venezuela

Milwaukee, WI – In response to the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good at the hands of ICE agents, over 350 people gathered for an emergency vigil, January 7, outside of the ICE Enforcement and Removal offices at 310 E Knapp Street. Emotions ran high as community leaders spoke out against the newest round of raids in Minnesota, calling for ICE out of everywhere.

“We’re building something broad and we have a united front,” said Alan Chavoya of Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO). “Elected officials, community grassroots organizations, faith leaders. That’s who’s here today. We have the movement of everyone.”

This included a strong presence of the labor movement at the vigil. Pam Fendt from the Milwaukee Area Labor Council (MALC) said, “The influx of ICE and Border Patrol agents into American cities is doing anything but making us safer. ICE actions are taking good workers away from local companies and farms. They’re tearing families apart.”

“We are the quality control for law enforcement,” said Nat Godley of Milwaukee Turners Legal Observers. “We make sure they are operating as they are supposed to constitutionally, legally. Not as those ICE agents behaved in Minneapolis today. We must be vigilant, and we must be active. There is no more time for quiet bystanders.”

The determined crowd that gathered made chants of “I-C-E out of M-K-E” and “¡Sí se puede!” while picketing outside of the ICE field office. This effort was put on by several Milwaukee community and grassroots organizations including Voces de la Frontera, Milwaukee Turners, and the Milwaukee Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression

#MilwaukeeWI #WI #ImmigrantRights #ICE #InJusticeSystem #KillerICE #KIllerCops #ReneeGood

Milwaukee, WI – On Monday, January 5, the Milwaukee Anti-war Committee (MAC) held a press conference at Milwaukee City Hall, announcing their “No War with Venezuela” month of action.

This month of action came on the heels of the U.S. bombing Caracas and kidnapping Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.

On Monday, while MAC held their press conference, President Maduro and Flores made their first appearance in federal court where Maduro faced four criminal charges. Maduro pleaded not guilty and asserted that he remains the legitimate president of Venezuela. Interim president Dalcy Rodriguez has affirmed Venezuela’s support for Maduro, adding that Venezuela has “the right to peace, development, sovereignty and a future.”

At the press conference, MAC Co-chair Sara Onitsuka delivered a statement explaining the month of action and why it is needed at this time to fight back, “The U.S. war machine is working as intended through military occupation, coups, kidnapping foreign leaders, and imposing governments that serve U.S. interests. But the people of the world will never back down – not in Venezuela, Iraq, Haiti, Palestine, and not in the U.S., where we fight against the U.S. war machine, at home and abroad.”

Onitsuka continued, “The Milwaukee Anti-war Committee stands against these military escalations and the violations of Venezuelan sovereignty, which is why we are launching our ‘No War with Venezuela’ month of action, a campaign of direct action opposing war on Venezuela! Throughout this month, our demands are clear: No U.S. war with Venezuela! Free President Maduro! U.S out of all of Latin America!”

Wisconsin Assemblyman Ryan Clancy also spoke in support of the month of action and against the Trump administration’s actions over the past several days. Clancy stated, “This was never about Maduro. Trump has very explicitly said this is about oil, and about taking the profits of that oil, which have been going to help the people of Venezuela, and giving them instead to U.S. corporations.”

Later in the day, at 5 p.m. over a local highway overpass, MAC held their first action of the month – a banner-drop with a banner reading, “No war with Venezuela.” Flashlights were used to backlight the banner to create visibility for long stretches of the highway. More than a dozen people showed up, waving Venezuelan flags and receiving honks from both the highway and people driving over the overpass.

Local media was quick to report on the press conference and banner-drop. Members of MAC have also been interviewed by radio stations and made a TV appearance for PBS’ Adelante.

The month of action is quickly gaining steam and support in Milwaukee. 12 organizations, both local and national and representing an array of movements, have already endorsed MAC’s month of action.

This month of action will include a watch party for the Anti-War Action Network (AWAN) webinar on Venezuela on January 11, a phone zap against the political repression of anti-war activists in Jacksonville as part of a national day of action with AWAN on January 14, a teach-in on Venezuela on January 17, supporting the annual MLK Day event on January 19, and concluding with a One Year Against Trump March and Rally on January 20.

Details for future events can be found on MAC’s Facebook and Instagram accounts.

During the month of action, MAC is ready to mobilize an emergency rally if there is an escalation that warrants an additional protest. Within 24 hours, MAC will announce and lead a protest in solidarity with the people of Venezuela.

The Venezuelan people are taking to the streets to oppose the attacks and the abduction of President Maduro, and Milwaukee will keep agitating and rising up this whole month to say no war with Venezuela!

#MilwaukeeWI #WI #AntiWarMovement #Venezuela #MAC

Milwaukee, WI – On Sunday, December 7, the Milwaukee Anti-War Committee (MAC) hosted a commemoration of International Human Rights Day, answering the national call for a week of action by the Anti-War Action Network. International Human Rights Day, observed annually on December 10, marks the anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) by the United Nations in 1948.

The event began with a march, followed by a program portion featuring a panel of local organizers, a keynote speaker, and the presentation of the 4th annual Lucille Berrien Humanitarian Award.

Dozens of determined people braved the frigid temperatures and snowy streets during the march. Gathering at Zao MKE Church, attendees heard speeches by the Milwaukee Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression, Milwaukee 4 Yemen, and the Young Workers Committee of the Milwaukee Area Labor Council.

“We must stand up and fight for better worker protections, and that can only be done with the recognition of a union,” said Rhen Lutz of the Young Workers Committee. They went on to add, “With these union protections – free speech against workplace harassment, the ability to bargain for protections that outweigh any law, to strike, to challenge unfair labor practices – we can defend our fellow immigrant workers and say hell no to Trump and ICE!”

After the first three speeches, the group headed out for the march, carrying signs saying, “March for human rights” and chanting, “Money for jobs and education, not for wars and occupation!” and “Up, up with liberation, down, down with deportation!” Onlookers and cars passing by gave thumbs up, shouted “Free Palestine!” and applauded as the crowd made a loop back to Zao MKE Church.

Once back at Zao, two more speeches from Milwaukee 4 Sudan and Freedom Road Socialist Organization closed out the march portion of the event.

Piper Hogan of Freedom Road Socialist Organization stated, “The United States is an empire in decline, and Trump’s political strategy is only going to accelerate that decline.”

Hogan added, “A symptom of that decline is the U.S. ruling class committing more and more human rights abuses against their own people. They have ramped up political attacks on transgender people and against abortion rights. These attacks are an attempt to reinforce traditional gender roles rooted in the oppression of women. On the other hand, Trump’s war on immigrants is an attempt to wall off the U.S. economy from the rest of the world.”

The group headed inside Zao MKE Church, where others joined them to begin the program. The program emcee, MAC education co-chair Christina Stradwick, told the crowd, “This year’s 77th anniversary of the UDHR comes amidst the ongoing genocide in Gaza. Although there is a supposed ‘ceasefire’ in place, Palestinians continue to be killed at the hands of Israel. This ‘ceasefire’ is part of Trump’s 20-point plan for Gaza which purports to offer a path toward peace but in truth blocks self-determination for the Palestinian people.”

Next, five speakers spanning work in Black liberation, Palestinian liberation, reproductive justice, student organizing and anti-war took the stage for a panel.

“Whether you are undocumented or not, specifically with this new ICE processing center that they have on the North Side, there are a lot of Black folks that live there. And why should they care if they’re not immigrants? Well, do you want feds in your neighborhood? Do you think that they’re just going to target folks that are undocumented? No! For us, it’s being able to make the issue personalized and having the broader conversation of how these are all interconnected,” said Angela Lang of Black Leaders Organizing for Communities (BLOC).

After the panel, keynote speaker Omar Flores from the Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression addressed the crowd. Flores read aloud selections from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, asking the around 50 audience members to engage in providing examples of when the U.S. had violated any right – the takeaway being that the U.S. has egregiously violated every one of them throughout its history.

Finally, Sam Charnon of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization presented the Lucille Berrien Humanitarian Award, named after a beloved longtime Milwaukee community activist, to Bara Omari of the Palestinian Children’s Relief Fund in Milwaukee, for her integral role as a community with UWM’s Popular University for Palestine encampment and her dedication to nurturing the next generation of leaders through mentorship and relationship building.

The event, also serving as a fundraiser for Zao MKE Church, a staple in the Milwaukee organizing community, raised hundreds of dollars in donations. At a time when human rights are under attack by the Trump administration domestically and abroad, International Human Rights Day was an opportunity to get together and reflect on the past, and to inspire the fight now and in the future.

#MilwaukeeWI #WI #AntiWarMovement #ImmigrantRights #Palestine #WomensMovement #OppressedNationalities #AfricanAmerican #MAC #AWAN #Feature

The repression and harassment that these students have faced includes getting suspended off campus, being given bogus, hefty fines and charges, and being stalked on personal social media accounts by UWMPD and UWM administrators, and much more.

Led by members of Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), the press conference was a response to the ongoing repression and harassment of UWM students and SDS members alike. The most recent example of repression stems from the recent National SDS Convention that happened across the street from the UWM campus, where eight students and community members were targeted and cited for holding a march in solidarity with Palestine around the campus.

SDS members, both from Milwaukee and Chicago, along with community members rallied, demanding an end to the UWMPD’s and UWM administration’s attacks on students for exercising their right to free speech on campus.

Chris Van Valkenberg from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee SDS spoke on how the citations included either “amplification of sound” or “standing in roadway”, were just another example of the truly bogus attacks that the campus police and administration at UWM subject SDS members and students. Van Valkenberg mentioned that these antagonizers have worked hard to harass us and repress us for the last two years because they know when we fight, we win. As part of UWM SDS, Van Valkenberg noted the success in fighting such charges, especially as a part of the larger National SDS. Van Valkenberg stated that just like our student charges in the past for the Milwaukee chapter of SDS, the students will fight these charges until they are dropped to show that SDS does not get scared of repression; we get stronger because of it.

The next speaker was Diego Garcia of the Milwaukee Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression (MAARPR), who spoke about how the attacks and harassment of student activists have only made the admin and police look weak in the face of progress and student safety alike. Garcis concluded that while the students advocate for progressive change on their campus, like protesting for a free Palestine, increasing black enrollment, and preserving DEI initiatives, UWMPD and UWM administrators are deathly afraid not only of these topics, but afraid of the students leading the movement on campus. It’s up to the students like those in SDS to remind the student body who is on the right side of history.

Lastly, Ángel Naranjos from the University of Illinois-Chicago SDS (UIC SDS) made it clear that the repression against students is happening across the country. Naranjos emphasized that because of this repression, students like those in Chicago and Milwaukee have chosen to escalate their campaign strategies when it comes to defending DEI initiatives and cultural centers on campus when university administrators refuse to budge despite popular student demand for such. The popularity of demands like these and others is what has made SDS a fighting student force across the country, and why the success of the 2025 National SDS Convention just a month ago in Milwaukee was such a success.

As the Trump administration’s attacks on students continue to grow, students have felt the pressure of this through a loss of educational funding, satellite campuses, research funds, DEI programs, and overall student safety. Much of this pressure is also funneled from the administrations of universities across the country, who are willing to put profits above education at every level. These losses, combined with an increase in campus police presence and intimidation, strict campus free speech laws targeting student activism, and purposefully deregistering and suspending any detracting student organizations, are a call to action for all students on UWM’s campus to call for its administration to end its complicity with Trump’s anti-education and anti-student policies.

#MilwaukeeWI #WI #StudentMovement #UWMSDS #SDS #MAARPR