Milwaukee, WI – Reproductive Justice Action Milwaukee (RJAM) organized an emergency rally to demand access to mifepristone, the abortion pill medication, on Monday, May 4.

After a recent appeals court ruling that would’ve banned the prescription of the pill through telehealth or mail order, Louisiana sued the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), attempting to reinstate mandatory in-person consultations to have the medication prescribed. The state claimed that mifepristone access undermines their abortion ban The Supreme Court blocked the suit temporarily, and the official decision will be made in the next week. The fight for bodily autonomy and reproductive health continues.

There is a slew of anti-abortion legal cases being pushed through courts nationwide.

Milwaukeeans still came together at a rally for abortion rights, with dozens of people gathering in downtown Milwaukee to call for access to mifepristone and chanting, “Not the courts, not the state, the people must decide their fate.”

RJAM hosted three speakers, then led some loud chanting on the corner of Red Arrow Park, their voices echoing through the city to nearby traffic, pedestrians and City Hall.

Abortion remains legal in Wisconsin, but there are only five abortion clinics, in the southeast region of the state and Madison, leaving the majority of the state and rural areas without services. Wisconsin also does not allow telehealth consultations for abortion, so their access is still very restricted. Meanwhile, the “pro-life” religious groups in Wisconsin operate 50-plus crisis pregnancy centers (CPCs) around the state, working to deceive and deny women their rights.

The protest drew an energetic, multi-generational crowd.

RJAM kicked off the speeches with their founding member, Carly Klein, demanding, “Bodily autonomy for all. Unrestricted access to abortion care. Immediate mifepristone access. The right to telehealth abortion services. An end to politically motivated attacks on healthcare.” She added, “Reproductive Justice Action Milwaukee will continue to organize, mobilize, and fight because our lives depend on it.”

Klein continued, “This has never been about safety. Mifepristone is one of the most studied medications in the United States and has been used safely by millions. Anti-abortion politicians continue to spread misinformation to justify control over our bodies and our healthcare decisions.”

Jo Fox from Planned Parenthood-Generation Action at UWM stated, “Attacks on mifepristone are a steppingstone to the end-goal: a no-exception ban on abortion access nationwide.” The crowd chanted back “That ain’t right!” Fox also spoke on the unnecessary barriers Wisconsinites face when trying to access care, including a two-visit minimum requirement, and a prohibition on advanced care practitioners (RNs, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants) to provide abortion medications to patients.

Andrea Waters from Freedom Road Socialist Organization told the crowd, “Wealthy people in the ruling class will still find a way. They can travel, they can pay, and get private care.” While the working class cannot do so easily. She added, “Capitalism wants our labor, it wants our children’s future labor. It wants us to carry the burden of care while the state cuts services, bosses keep wages low, landlords raise the rent, and healthcare becomes more expensive. The super-exploitation of women has never been more clear.”

RJAM reminded us that abortion care is still available for now. Whether or not mifepristone stays legal, there is still another medication, misoprostol, that can induce abortion.

Abortion is healthcare and women, and the people, need unrestricted access to it, lest they return to the dark ages of back-alley abortions, or the situation in states where it is banned, leading to criminalization and death for the lack of abortion care. Reproductive justice for all, now.

#MilwaukeeWI #WI #WomensMovement #RJAM #Abortion #ReproductiveRights

Milwaukee, WI – On a brisk May 1st morning, the Milwaukee community gathered in the thousands to stand up for immigrants’ and workers’ rights. The rally began on the city’s Southside at the Voces de la Frontera (VDLF) office, a leading organization that gathers students, workers, and residents annually to march since 2006. 22 years later, el Día sin Inmigrantes continues to demand justice for workers of all legal status and a path to legalization for all.

The day started with words from student organizers in Youth Empowered in the Struggle (YES), urging solidarity and collective action under the second Trump administration. The three-mile march then began with a large coalition carrying banners and pickets, chanting “Money for jobs and education, not for war and deportation!”

As marchers arrived at the end point, VDLF director Christine Neumann-Ortiz summed up the theme of this year's demonstration: “Immigrants are not the problem; they are the solution. The problem is the billionaire class.”

The crowd then heard from Kareem Sarsour, the eldest son of Salah Sarsour, a Palestinian and president of the Islamic Society of Milwaukee. Sarsour was kidnapped over a month ago by ICE and remains in custody for bogus charges because he is a fierce advocate for Palestine. Sarsour assured the crowd that his father, along with his family, remain committed to fighting for a free Palestine and will fight until he is released.

In a fiery speech, the head of the city’s Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA), José Ramirez, told the crowd, “Elected officials try to explain to the working class that they understand and know our struggles. They don’t know what it’s like to pour concrete all damn day, to be bent over tying rebar, to wake up early and work a double shift.” Ramirez then pointed to the strength of grassroots organizations and community, calling for continued solidarity among workers beyond May Day because “this is what the clowns and cowards in Madison fear.”

The day’s march wrapped up midday with mariachi, but the festivities continued.

Freedom Road Socialist Organization held a program later that evening at Villa Arco, a community space which also hosts ESL classes for immigrant laborers. Here, FRSO national leader Syd Loving spoke about the erasure of May Day in the U.S. as an international socialist holiday. Loving said, “It sounds lofty and far away, but we [FRSO] fight for the overthrow of capitalism because we see that socialism is a real thing in other countries,” as seen in her recent visit to the People’s Republic of China.

Local FRSO leader Alan Chavoya offered a background on Dia Sin Inmigrantes, highlighting labor and oppressed nationality movements as the key to striking blows against the enemy. Chavoya stated, “In every struggle historically, it’s the working class. That’s where we need to go with the immigrant rights struggle; withholding labor is what shakes the capitalist class.”

To close, Tracey Schwerdtfeger offered her perspective as an emergency room nurse, Milwaukee resident and labor organizer. Her neighborhood has seen the effects of companies like Allis Chalmers, Harley-Davidson, and AO Smith moving plants to other countries, leaving working families to face home foreclosures and healthcare cuts. Now, local hospitals knowingly understaff wards despite the real, proven cost of human life.

Schwerdtfeger then encouraged those attending to get involved and take up the struggle for socialism. “Today is our holiday and our struggle for a better life continues.” She said of the capitalist class, “Their survival depends on our suffering.”

#MilwaukeeWI #WI #Labor #ImmigrantRights #MayDay #FRSO #VDLF

The measure comes in the wake of comments from Postmaster General David Steiner in March suggesting that the USPS could “run out of cash” by October of this year in the worst case scenario or by February 2027 if certain payments are deferred. He further threatened that if something wasn't done, USPS may need to cut delivery days or close whole stations, painting a picture of desperation for the oldest continuous federal service in the United States.

This is just the most recent example in a long list of government officials and politicians sounding the alarm on the perpetually dying USPS, an entity that has posted billion-dollar “losses” since 2007. Of course, postal delivery is a service provided at an expense, not a business which earns a profit, but that's never included in these forecasts. What isn't mentioned in any of the reports on the move to suspend USPS contributions to the FERS, and the others covering Steiner's comments about the impending demise of the Postal Service, is that Steiner is an acting board member with private sector competitor FedEx, a role he has held since 2009. Steiner was hand-selected by President Donald Trump in May 2025 to take on the role of Postmaster General.

To compound the issue, at least for letter carriers at USPS, Brian Renfroe – the current national president of the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC), the union which represents city carriers – released a statement the same day, aligning himself and the union he leads with management's perspective that this decision is a necessary cost-saving effort, calling on Congress to take action. While there is certainly a kernel of truth to the idea of congressional action, what is even more true is that USPS hemorrhages money in other ways that are easily identifiable – and correctable – that weren't so much as hinted at in Renfroe's statement but which rank-and-file members of NALC across the country are keenly aware of themselves.

For starters, USPS currently maintains a management-to-carrier ratio of around 1:7, meaning for every seven carriers in a station, there is a supervisor or manager in that office. In the 1990s, by comparison, that ratio was 1:20 or greater. To further put this into perspective, the starting annual salary for a supervisory role with the Post Office is north of $70,000, compared to the average starting pay of a regular city carrier, which clocks in at around $33,000. To take this a step further, in 2025 alone, those same over-paid supervisors and managers so thoroughly violated the contract between USPS and the NALC that it resulted in billions of dollars in grievance settlement payouts (to say nothing about the costs of arbitration and other things associated with following grievance procedure). There are other management-related cost issues, to be sure, but these are just two of the most obvious examples.

For Postmaster General David Steiner, sitting board member of FedEx, to not mention these things in his comments makes perfect sense, given his position. However, for NALC President Brian Renfroe to essentially be in line with the management perspective on the suspension of USPS contributions to the FERS is shameful. Unfortunately, this most recent example of failing to support his members and instead represent the interests of management is par for the course for his tenure as president.

Just two weeks before, on March 27, Renfroe was a gleeful participant on a podcast episode for the National Association of Postal Supervisors, a “union” for supervisors who work at USPS, where he commented in so many words that unity between carriers and management was essential at this time. This on its own is enough of a slap in the face to letter carriers who deal with the daily abuse of these supervisors and their bosses, but Renfroe's list of betrayals and failures is much longer and includes many more severe examples.

The most glaring demonstration of Renfroe's total failure as a leader may be the handling of the most recent national negotiations and the contract, which was eventually forced through, a process which extended far beyond an acceptable period, finally wrapping up in April 2025 when the contract had expired in mid-2022. The primary issue is not with the length of the negotiations – which was partially a result of President Renfroe effectively being AWOL for large periods of negotiations, for which he faced charges from the membership at the NALC National Convention in 2024 that he narrowly escaped through bureaucratic manipulation – but instead with the agreement itself and the manner in which it was passed.

In an historic vote, more than 70% of the voting membership said “No!” to Renfroe's sellout deal, which offered a tiny wage increase with no changes to the three-tier workforce, the steps it takes to get to top pay, or anything else that members cared about. At the same time, the contract members were presented with contained numerous concessions.

Reminiscent of the decision by ex-Teamsters President Jimmy Hoffa, Jr. in 2018 with the national UPS contract, Renfroe essentially folded during the arbitration process and the contract was forced on the NALC rank and file. One silver lining resulting from Renfroe's dereliction of duty during negotiations is that negotiations for the next contract have already begun, so the opportunity to rectify the mistakes in relatively short order exists. However, Renfroe is already biting hard on the bait that USPS upper management is putting out and trying to line carriers up with the management position, indicating the potential for an expedited negotiation with more sell-out concessions.

Also looming on the horizon is the 2026 NALC National Convention this summer, which will then shortly be followed by elections for national leadership in the fall. Inexplicably, Renfroe is running again on a platform of maintaining the status quo, though it should be noted here that Renfroe hasn't officially declared his candidacy while he travels across the country attempting to whip up the vote. This matters because once he announces his candidacy, all that travel now must come out of his pocket rather than the union coffers. Membership across the country, again mirroring what occurred with the UPS Teamsters following the implementation of the last horrible contract under Hoffa, Jr., is resoundingly opposed to another Renfroe term.

The primary opposition slate, called the Concerned Letter Carriers (CLC), has a groundswell of support on the basis of their progressive platform, which aims to address rank-and-file concerns about union democracy and transparency, an all-career workforce, and the return of a general fighting spirit to the union. Members across the country are linking up and discussing strategies to ensure victory for CLC leaders James Henry and Corey Walton.

With some hard work and good organizing, the rank-and-file can take back control of the NALC from the Renfroe regime, who can then share the fate of Jimmy Hoffa, Jr. as he is swept out of office after betraying the members he had sworn to serve.

#MilwaukeeWI #WI #Commentary #Labor #NALC

Milwaukee, WI – On the evening of April 16, the Milwaukee Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression (MAARPR) won the first part of their 18-month campaign to implement a restrictive police vehicle pursuit policy.

After many months of deliberation and hearing demands from the community and allies of the campaign such as Black Leaders Organizing for Change (BLOC), the FPC unanimously passed a recommendation to Milwaukee Police Chief Norman to severely restrict car chases and include footage of car chases in the police department’s footage release policy for critical incidents. This victory was long fought for and hard won.

In the past, the FPC held power to pass, modify, or eliminate policy for the MPD. This was changed back in 2023, by the Wisconsin state GOP and other parties that oppose transparency and accountability via Act 12.

Act 12 was rapidly passed in reaction to MAARPR’s victory in the FPC with Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) 575 which standardized the release of body-worn cameras in critical incidents from the MPD. Ultimately, this clipped the policy-making power of the FPC. Now, only the police chief and common council can modify and write policies for the police. Despite these changes, the FPC is still a body that can investigate and recommend changes directly to the common council and police chief.

SOP 660 is the policy for when the MPD can initiate a high speed vehicle chase. As the policy currently stands, it is ambiguous and the police can initiate deadly chases for “crimes” as small as out-of-date registration. Former Police Chief Flynn put an end to vehicle pursuits, but over the last few years the MPD has begun using police chases again. This resulted in grave consequences.

In 2025 alone, there were ten deaths from or related to causes from the police chases. Out of the ten fatalities, six were innocent bystanders. Not only were they deadly, but settlements related to these chases cost the city hundreds of thousands of dollars. That money could have been used for traffic calming measures that stop reckless driving without killing people. MAARPR saw this as an opportunity to pick another fight for accountability and transparency from the MPD.

Now, Chief Norman will review the recommendation from the FPC and can accept or reject it. Organizers with MAARPR say they are not optimistic that Norman will accept the changes, but they are committed to seeing this campaign through. Over the next few months, they will canvass neighborhoods and gather community support to build pressure on elected officials to make change.

#MilwaukeeWI #WI #InJusticeSystem #MAARPR

Milwaukee, WI – Community members gathered for a screening of Preconceived on April 12 to learn about the dangers of crisis pregnancy centers.

Reproductive Justice Action Milwaukee (RJAM) hosted a screening of the documentary followed by a discussion as a part of their Crisis Pregnancy Centers Out of MKE campaign.

Crisis pregnancy centers are also known as unregulated pregnancy centers or fake abortion clinics. Crisis pregnancy centers are clinics in buildings or mobile vans which claim to be reproductive health clinics but are actually run by anti-abortion activists who trick pregnant people seeking abortions into keeping their pregnancy, using deceitful means. Currently there are 50-plus crisis pregnancy centers in Wisconsin and only five legitimate clinics offering abortion care.

With promises of financial and community support for keeping the baby, the CPCs are able to draw in pregnant women before promptly abandoning the new parent and baby once the child is born.

These “clinics” are strategically placed next to Planned Parenthood locations, in predominantly Black, Chicano and low-income communities. One of the anti-abortion activists interviewed in the documentary brags about specifically targeting Vietnamese and indigenous communities.

In addition to strategic placement, CPCs use religious imagery, language, and shame to convince people to either avoid or “reverse” an abortion. CPCs will give progesterone to “reverse” an abortion pill regime. When this procedure was being researched the entire program was halted due to the danger to participants. Real doctors and medical professionals would not recommend this course of action to a patient.

The showing of Preconceived is just one part of RJAM’s CPCs Out of MKE campaign. Using direct action, RJAM works to bring attention to and educate community members on crisis pregnancy centers and the harm they cause to reproductive health.

RJAM shut down Alliance Family Services early on their opening day in 2025. RJAM is currently supporting the Stopping Abuse, Fraud, and Exploitation by Governing Unauthorized Access to Reproductive Data (SAFEGUARD) Act in the Wisconsin state legislature. This act will give patients power to take back control of their private health information from these deceitful CPCs.

Additionally, it will force CPCs to disclose that they are not HIPAA-compliant, to obtain written permission to share data, and to disclose instances of data breach. Visit cpcsoutofmke.com to learn more about how to support reproductive justice work in Wisconsin.

#MilwaukeeWI #WI #WomensMovement #ReproductiveRights #Abortion #RJAM

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

Appleton, WI – On March 28, over 3000 people took to the streets in outrage at the Trump administration. The crowd gathered at Houdini Plaza, a central location downtown.

One speaker from the Freedom Road Socialist Organization, Tanner Ziebell, stated “This is an empire in decline, and we will continue to see crimes like these happen on an increasingly severe scale until it is brought to the ground! We can confidently assume that attacks on the people of this world will continue. We can also hold our heads high, knowing that it's a fight we aren't scared to take up, knowing that's exactly what we're going to do, and that this country will be made ungovernable until we win!”

Daisy Sinclair from Hate Free Outagamie reminded the community that “Hate Free Outagamie is committed to the fight for trans rights, committed to fighting for a trans sanctuary in Outagamie to protect our rights. We are not ceding ground to Trump’s hatred and attacks on any group of people, and will fight to ensure it stays that way!”

Members of the community took to the streets, occupying both lanes of traffic for blocks. As they marched, deafening chants demanding no war, an end to deportations, and fighting back shook the city.

The event was organized by the Outagamie County Democratic Party, Hate Free Outagamie, Appleton Area NOW, Northeast Wisconsin Democratic Socialists of America, Freedom Road Socialist Organization, Wisconsin Resist, and others.

The organizers expressed intention to work together in the future and continue to build a strong front against the Trump administration in the coming years.

#AppletonWI #WI #PeoplesStruggles #Trump #ImmigrantRights

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

Madison, WI – On Tuesday, January 27, over 1000 students from UW-Madison and the surrounding area joined Madison Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) to protest the murders of Alex Pretti, Renee Good and Keith Porter by ICE agents. Students rallied for ICE out of the Midwest and demanded that UW-Madison be made a sanctuary campus.

Protesters filled Madison’s Library Mall in -10 degree wind chill, chanting “ICE ICE will be beat, when the people hit the street!” as they settled in to hear the first speech of the night from Jewish voices for Peace on the importance of Holocaust Remembrance Day and the parallels with current ICE operations. Then there was a moment of silence to commemorate the victims of ICE.

After the moment of silence were chants from the crowd, calling for “Justice for Keith Porter! Justice for Renee Good! Justice for Alex Pretti!” The explosive energy from the crowd was emblematic of a large portion of the student body, whose calls for the abolition of ICE have been heard throughout the week.

In the final speech of the night, Luca Motivala, co-chair of Madison SDS, closed his speech with the remark, “We will not forget those they murdered, those who will be murdered, the faces and names and memories will live on eternally. We will neither forgive nor forget those who perpetrated this violence; they believe they are invincible, untouchable. It will not be that way. Their day will come!”

Students ended the rally with calls to “Shut it down” if UW-Madison administration did not implement sanctuary campus policies.

#MadisonWI #WI #ImmigrantRights #ICE #KillerICE #AlexPRetti #SDS #StudentMovement #Feature

Green Bay, WI – On Sunday, January 26, over 1500 people took to the streets of Green Bay to march in protest of the execution of Alex Pretti and the ICE occupation of Minneapolis. Despite freezing temperatures and bitter winds, Green Bay residents showed up en masse.

On January 24, Alex Pretti was beaten and murdered by ICE agents in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Video evidence has spread throughout the country, sparking widespread protest and calls for justice.

Pretti was previously a Green Bay resident and graduate of Preble High School. The anger and grief of the community he was once a part of was felt deeply. We saw this in the largest crowd turnout in months, where a sidewalk march became a march shutting down whole streets.

This event was organized by the Green Bay Anti-War Committee (GBAC) with many community organizations coming in attendance and solidarity.

Before the march, GBAC member Daniel Castillo spoke to the crowd, “He was not a domestic terrorist, he was not an assassin, he was not trying to massacre law enforcement. He was defending his community from a federal agency that has run rampant throughout Minneapolis and is responsible for the extrajudicial killing of Renee Good.”

After speeches, protesters took to the streets. The Green Bay Police Department tried their best to stop this march, attempting to block off roads and intervening with the organizers, but the people carried the march on undeterred. Chants like “ICE out now” echoed through the streets of Green Bay, in what was clearly the largest demonstration against the Trump agenda in years.

#GreenBayWI #WI #ImmigrantRights #AlexPretti #ICE #KillerICE

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