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Advocacy

Candlelight Vigil: COVID-19 Deaths in Wisconsin Prisons

Date: 
Monday, December 21, 2020 - 6:00pm - 6:30pm
Location: 
Governor’s Mansion, 99 Cambridge Rd, Madison

WISDOM

Please join us on December 21 at 6:00 pm in Madison for a Candlelight Vigil to remember those who have died of COVID-19 in our state prisons.

We know that at least 19 people have died in Wisconsin prisons since the pandemic began. We believe there are probably more. We know that, as of this week, almost HALF of all people in prison have tested positive for COVID-19, in contrast to less than 10% of the overall population. We have no way of knowing how many of them have become seriously ill. We also know that hundreds of corrections workers have contracted the virus. Meanwhile, the Governor has not acted to offer clemency, to commute sentences or to release very low-risk people – so that others might have a chance to socially distance – even though his power to do so is clear.

December 21 is the longest night of the year. Let us gather to pray and to stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in prison. If you cannot join us, please take a moment at 6 pm Monday to remember those who have died, those who are sick, and those who have the power and the responsibility to care for the people in our prisons.

Governor’s Budget Listening Session

Posted in
Date: 
Wednesday, December 16, 2020 - 6:00pm
Location: 
Zoom Meeting

Budget Listening Session on Our Schools and Education

Governor Evers is holding virtual listening sessions as he prepares his 2021-23 State Budget proposal.  Wisconsinites are encouraged to offer their thoughts and recommendations for the Governor to consider. Find more information on these listening session, including registration links, here.

Advance registration (available one week before the sesson date) is required in order to speak at the session. 

You can submit written comments or suggestions here.

The sessions are also being live-streamed on Wis-Eye here, and recorded for watching later.

Governor’s Budget Listening Session

Date: 
Tuesday, December 8, 2020 - 6:00pm
Location: 
Zoom Meeting

Budget Listening Session on Criminal Justice Reform

Governor Evers is holding virtual listening sessions as he prepares his 2021-23 State Budget proposal.  Wisconsinites are encouraged to offer their thoughts and recommendations for the Governor to consider.

To be allowed to participate, you need to register. You can do so at the Governor's website here. You can watch the live-stream on Wis-Eye here.

You can also submit written comments or suggestions here.

There will be a WISDOM Zoom meeting on December 8 at 5:00 pm (the hour before the Governor’s “Criminal Justice” listening session), specifically to talk about WISDOM’s priorities for criminal justice reform in the coming state budget. If you would like to join that Zoom in order to prepare for the Listening Session, please email david.liners1@gmail.com to receive the link. Among other things, WISDOM wants the Governor to:

  • keep his campaign promise to increase Treatment Alternatives and Diversions (TAD) funding by $15 million per year
  • pledge that there will be no money for new prisons or for prison expansions
  • plan for the closing of the Green Bay Correctional Institution and redirect that money to a Justice Reinvestment Fund that can go to programs that benefit the people and communities that have been most badly hurt by mass incarceration.

Governor’s Budget Listening Session

Posted in
Date: 
Wednesday, December 2, 2020 - 6:00pm
Location: 
Zoom Meeting

Budget Listening Session on Environment, Infrastructure and the Economy

Governor Evers is holding virtual listening sessions as he prepares his 2021-23 State Budget proposal.  Wisconsinites are encouraged to offer their thoughts and recommendations for the Governor to consider. Find more information on these listening session here.

The deadline for registration to participate in this session is past, but you can watch the live-stream on Wis-Eye here.

You can also submit written comments or suggestions here.

Tying Criminal Justice Reform in WI to Our November Elections

Date: 
Saturday, November 7, 2020 - 9:30am
Location: 
Zoom Meeting

Criminal Justice Reform & Government Budgets

Moderator: Peggy West-Schroder, EXPO Program Director

Please register in advance for this Zoom presentation:

Register Now

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Autumn of Action EXPO WISDOM clenched fist rising out of a firePart of the “Autumn of Action” series coordinated by WISDOM, this presentation is sponsored by WISDOM/EXPO

Vigil regarding COVID-19 in Wisconsin Prisons

WISDOM

Demonstrators at the Governors Mansion in MadisonOn October 19, WISDOM members (including several from ESTHER), led by EXPO (EX-incarcerated People Organizing) and SIP (Supporters of Incarcerated People) started a vigil outside the Governor's mansion.  The purpose of the vigil is to challenge the Governor to seriously address the issue of COVID-19 in Wisconsin’s prisons. The group is calling on the Governor to hold a press conference to specifically address this issue, which directly impacts more than 30,000 Wisconsinites who live and work in the state’s prisons.

We hope he acts soon, but we want to be prepared for the long haul. Read more to find out what you can do to keep this issue high on the Governor’s agenda.

Pack the Polls Car Parade

Posted in
Date: 
Saturday, October 24, 2020 - 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Location: 
Appleton East High School Parking Lotl, 2121 E Emmers Dr, Appleton

Let’s Join Together to PACK THE POLLS!

Appleton will join with a growing list of other Wisconsin cities on Saturday, October 24, National Vote Early Day, to demonstrate our support for the most basic exercise of democracy: voting. The League of Women Voters of Appleton is coordinating our local event, a car parade, which will be strictly non-partisan in keeping with the League’s core mission: Empowering votersDefending democracy.

Participants will be asked to decorate their cars with signs that encourage voting and promote issues but NOT candidates or political parties. (We encourage covering partisan bumper stickers.) We want to promote unity in our community by bringing together a broad spectrum of local civic organizations. We also want to ensure the safety of all participants by designing this a contactless event. Everyone will be encouraged to stay safely inside a vehicle, but should also have a mask and observe social distancing guidelines.

Read more about the event, including parade route and suggested messages for signs, in the Appleton LWV’s press release (attached). Help spread the word by downloading and sharing.

Partisan Gerrymandering presentation by Bill Whitford

Posted in
Date: 
Wednesday, September 16, 2020 - 5:00pm - 6:15pm
Location: 
Virtual Presentation

Partisan Gerrymandering:

How It’s Done, Its Consequences, and What We Can Do About It

UWGB logoBill WhitfordOn Constitution Day, the Democracy and Justice Studies program of UW-Green Bay invites us to attend this talk by Professor Bill Whitford.

The framers of the U.S. Constitution envisioned a political system that would fairly represent “We the People” – but just how fairly are people represented in today’s American democracy? In his talk, Professor Whitford will introduce attendees to one of the greatest contemporary challenges in Wisconsin and the United States: partisan gerrymandering. What does it mean for American democracy if political parties can easily draw electoral districts to their own favor?

Call to Action: Gov. Evers and Wisconsin Prison Population

WISDOM

Recently, Gov. Tony Evers offered a powerful statement about how we should respond to the Black Lives Matter movement.  He said, “We must offer our compassion, we must offer our support, most of all we must offer our action.”  Now, we are asking you to contact Governor Evers to urge him to take his own advice. It is time for him to take action to reduce the prison population during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Communicate with Governor Evers to express your concern and to urge him to act!

Call his office, 608-266-1212
Email him at govinfo@wisconsin.gov

Summer of Solidarity Training Session: Voting and Voting Rights

Posted in
Date: 
Saturday, July 25, 2020 - 10:00am - 12:00pm
Location: 
Zoom Webinar

These are weekly Zoom meetings sponsored by WISDOM and EXPO covering community organizing approaches and social justice topics of concern in the state and region during the summer of 2020. This Saturday, the topic is Voting and Voting Rights.

The sad loss of the great Congressman John Lewis reminds us that the fight for every American to be able to vote has been going on for a long time!  This Saturday, you can learn how WISDOM and EXPO continue that tradition with the “Unlock the Vote” Campaign.  You will also learn what everyone in Wisconsin can do to ensure that each vote in our very important state is counted in November.

Click here to register:  https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYpc-6rpjIqHN0AnOzifNm5ty46NCj60gS2 
As soon as you register, you'll be emailed a link you can use on Saturday morning.

Tentative schedule of future topics:

  • August 1 – Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women
  • August 8 – Crimeless Revocations
  • August 15 – Policing
  • August 22 – Environmental Justice

If you would like to participate, contact WISDOM (wisdomforjustice@gmail.com) for information about registering for the Zoom presentation.

Presentations are being recorded, and will be available at: https://www.rocwisconsin.org/summer-of-solidarity-training-series/

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