As LGBT people across the nation celebrate Pride Month and work to change public perspective, the ACLU of Wisconsin took a new look at the Badger State’s flag by unveiling an alternative version at this month's pride festivities in Milwaukee and Eau Claire.

By appearances, the front is an official Wisconsin flag – with a sailor and a miner flanking a shield.  But on the back, it’s revealed that the sailor and miner are actually holding hands.  With the upgrade, the ACLU is sending a strong message that the organization is committed to defending the rights of all Wisconsites. The state’s motto of “Forward” on the flag further plays into the ACLU’s commitment of progressing civil liberties.

 The work was created, pro-bono, by global marketing agency VML. Miniature versions of the flag were recently handed out along  the Milwaukee’s pride parade route and at a booth at Eau Claire’s activities. The flags will also be available at Walworth County’s Pride Fair on Aug. 19 and at Madison’s OutReach Pride Parade & Rally in Madison on Aug, 20.

Many people have asked us about getting a t-shirt with these images and you can order it here through August 31!

As LGBT people across the nation celebrate Pride Month and work to change public perspective, the ACLU of Wisconsin took a new look at the Badger State’s flag by unveiling an alternative version at this month's pride festivities in Milwaukee and Eau Claire.

By appearances, the front is an official Wisconsin flag – with a sailor and a miner flanking a shield.  But on the back, it’s revealed that the sailor and miner are actually holding hands.  With the upgrade, the ACLU is sending a strong message that the organization is committed to defending the rights of all Wisconsites. The state’s motto of “Forward” on the flag further plays into the ACLU’s commitment of progressing civil liberties.

 The work was created, pro-bono, by global marketing agency VML. Miniature versions of the flag were recently handed out along  the Milwaukee’s pride parade route and at a booth at Eau Claire’s activities. The flags will also be available at Walworth County’s Pride Fair on Aug. 19 and at Madison’s OutReach Pride Parade & Rally in Madison on Aug, 20.

Many people have asked us about getting a t-shirt with these images and you can order it here through August 31!

Waukesha County Sheriff Eric Severson and Milwaukee County Sheriff Richard Schmidt want the Trump administration to turn their deputies into federal immigration agents – and we’re running out of time to stop them.

Op-Ed by ACLU Attorney Tim Muth

Former Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke made no secret of his desire to lend support to President Trump’s deportation force.    One part of his mission was his request for his department to participate in an Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) program known as the 287(g) program.   Under this program, deputy sheriffs will get authority to act as federal immigration law enforcers within the Milwaukee County Jail.

Clarke proudly tweeted a photo of the application last March when he applied to ICE to participate in the 287(g) program.   In doing so, Clarke was flatly ignoring the Milwaukee County Board which passed a resolution opposing participation in the 287(g) program.  

ICE has not yet approved Milwaukee County’s application.   Now that Sheriff Clarke has ridden off into the sunset, acting Milwaukee County Sheriff Richard Schmidt has the opportunity to do the right thing and pull the application before ICE acts on it in the coming weeks.  

Turning local county sheriff deputies into federal immigration enforcers is a terrible idea. If the Sheriff and his deputies are seen as working hand in glove with ICE, immigrants in our community will be afraid to report crimes, they will be afraid to go to the courthouse where the Sheriff provides security, and they will be forced to retreat into the shadows where they will be more subject to crime and abuse.  Our county will be less safe, not more.

Equally troubling, in jurisdictions across the country where 287(g) agreements are in existence, there has been an increase in racial profiling and unreasonable stops and arrests of Hispanic members of the community.

Turning Milwaukee County deputies into ICE enforcement agents will cost taxpayers money by giving them federal tasks for which the county will not be fully reimbursed.    Deputies in the Milwaukee County jail would spend time quizzing and verifying immigration status, rather than helping with the very real problems in that jail.

It is possible to reverse course very quickly on some of this unfortunate legacy of David Clarke.   We hope acting Sheriff Schmidt acts quickly to withdraw the application.

Op-Ed by ACLU Attorney Tim Muth