News & Commentary

Over the past several months, the ACLU of Wisconsin has heard from people concerned about public schools around the state instituting random drug testing of students in sports and extracurricular activities and those who park in school parking lots. For example, schools in Crivitz[1] and Oconomowoc[2] recently joined a national trend in which the proportion of public high schools that randomly tests students grew from 14% in 2006 to 18% in 2012.[3]

Written by Lisa Neff, Staff writer

Schools and Communities United, a coalition of 22 community, labor, religious, student and civic organizations in Milwaukee, is proud to participate in a series of press events across the nation commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act and calling for an end to the takeover of public schools by private operators. 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 18, 2015  

A coalition of Milwaukee Community Groups sent the following letter to Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett today, asking him to nominate two additional, qualified members to the city's Fire and Police Commission.

By Dean Mosiman

  ----------- If you have other questions or concerns about voter registration, “Like” Wisconsin Election Protection on Facebook & message or post questions or concerns there. If you do not have access to Facebook, you can email questions or concerns to vote@aclu-wi.org and we will respond as soon as we can. You can also call the Wisconsin Government Accountability Board (GAB) at 1-866-VOTE-WIS (1-866-868-3947).

In 1999, Chris Ofili’s “The Holy Virgin Mary” enraged New York Mayor Rudolph Guiliani, leading to a First Amendment showdown when the mayor threatened to revoke the City’s $7 million dollars in funding to Brooklyn Museum after it showed the mixed media piece that included elephant dung. Now Niki Johnson and her work, “Eggs Benedict,” have ignited a similar controversy in Milwaukee, with some Catholic leaders condemning the piece – a portrait of Pope Benedict XVI made with colored condoms – as insulting and demanding its removal.  Some donors have withdrawn their financial support from the Milwaukee Art Museum, which is showing the work.

The ACLU of Wisconsin on July 13 issued its summer term report card on Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker — and he's failing.