News & Commentary

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  

By Dean Mosiman

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.

  ----------- 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  Some donors have withdrawn their financial support from the Milwaukee Art Museum, which is showing the work.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.

MADISON, WI – Today, Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker will formally announce his candidacy for president of the United States.  The ACLU of Wisconsin has compiled a summary of the Governor’s actions that reflect his positions on important civil liberties and civil rights issues that have emerged during his tenure in Wisconsin’s highest executive office.  Voters around the country should study Governor Walker’s record on civil rights and civil liberties during his time as the Wisconsin Governor as they compare him to others seeking the highest executive office in the nation. The following actions by Governor Walker exemplify his stance on civil liberties and civil rights: 1. Opposing marriage equality and equal treatment under the law: Not long after he was sworn in, Governor Walker stopped defending Wisconsin’s domestic partner registry, which provided a few – but far from all – of the rights and benefits of marriage for people who are LGBT*. Although the Wisconsin Supreme Court late