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Post from Community: Nine testing sites available for Milwaukee’s North Side neighborhoods | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Mayor Tom Barrett
May 25, 2020
Editor’s note: Our Posts from the Community feature is a platform for community announcements and event postings. If you have a post to be considered, send it to info@milwaukeenns.org or submit it directly.
Starting this week, the Wisconsin National Guard will be pausing COVID-19 testing at its Midtown Center. Residents of Milwaukee’s North Side neighborhoods can still access diagnostic COVID-19 testing at nine area hospital systems and community health centers.
Anyone experiencing COVID-19 symptoms should call their healthcare provider to set up an appointment. If you do not have a provider, call 2-1-1 to speak with a nurse about your symptoms and find a nearby location to be tested. There are no insurance, income or immigration restrictions for receiving a COVID-19 diagnostic test. All are welcome.
“In addition to the work of the National Guard, our healthcare system has testing available for symptomatic individuals at multiple locations across the city,” said Mayor Tom Barrett. “Do not let cost, lack of insurance or absence of a primary care doctor keep you from receiving care. There are plenty of resources available to help you during this time, and we want to encourage you to take advantage of them to keep yourself, and your community, safe.”
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COVID-19 testing sites on Milwaukee’s North Side are offered by Ascension Wisconsin, Advocate Aurora Health, Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee Health Services, Inc., Outreach Community Health Centers and Progressive Community Health Centers.
Individuals will have the opportunity to speak with a nurse to:
Locations and Contact Information:
Milwaukee Health Services, Inc.
2555 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Drive
8200 W. Silver Spring Drive
(414) 372-8080
Outreach Community Health Centers
210 W. Capitol Drive
(414) 727-6320
Progressive Community Health Centers
3522 W. Lisbon Ave.
(414) 882-2040
Ascension St. Joseph
5000 W. Chambers Street
(833) 981-0711
Ascension Columbia St. Mary’s Family Health Center
1121 W. North Ave.
(833) 981-0711
Ascension All Saints Family Heath Center
2400 W. Villard Ave.
(833) 981-0711
Aurora Health Center Midtown
5818 W. Capitol Drive
(877) 819-5034
Froedtert North Hills Health Center
W129 N7055 Northfield Dr.
Menomonee Falls, WI, 53051
(414) 372-8080

author: Mayor Tom Barrett


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Post from Community: City of Milwaukee property assessment town hall | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Dynasty Ceasar
May 26, 2020
Editor’s note: Our Posts from the Community feature is a platform for community announcements and event postings. If you have a post to be considered, send it to info@milwaukeenns.org or submit it directly.
Amani United, The Lindsay Heights Community Planning Council, and The Midtown Neighborhood Alliance are hosting the “City of Milwaukee Property Assessment Town Hall” for residents to express their concerns and brainstorm solutions. These solutions will then be shared with the Board of Review for the City of Milwaukee and elected officials.
Join us via Zoom Webinar on Thursday, May 28, 2020 at 5:30 pm. If you’re not able to join us and would like your questions and solutions considered, please email them to dceasar@lhcpc.org.
Here is the link to register and attend.
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source: news-milwaukeenns

license: Creative Commons - Attribution - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

author: Dynasty Ceasar


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Post from Community: MCTS to resume fare collection on June 1 | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Milwaukee County Transit System
May 26, 2020
(Photo by Analise Pruni)
Editor’s note: Our Posts from the Community feature is a platform for community announcements and event postings. If you have a post to be considered, send it to info@milwaukeenns.org or submit it directly.
The Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) announced today that it will resume fare collection and front door boarding on all buses and on paratransit vehicles providing Transit Plus rides starting at 4:00 a.m. on June 1, 2020.
MCTS is recommending that riders who are medically able wear a face mask or face covering over their nose and mouth while on board. To help maintain social distancing, MCTS will continue to limit riders to 10 per bus.
Please be respectful to bus drivers and other passengers by remembering the following:
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Fares are needed given the rising costs and lost revenue resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. MCTS is an essential service that has been proven indispensable for people to reach essential jobs and critical destinations since COVID-19 became prevalent in Milwaukee County.
The fiscal impact of COVID-19 on Milwaukee County will be catastrophic. Overall, Milwaukee County has seen $40 million in costs directly associated with COVID-19, such as providing personal protective equipment for employees, enhancing cleaning and sanitation practices, and setting up a temporary shelter for individuals experiencing homelessness. Milwaukee County projects $100 million in lost revenues by the end of 2020. This includes revenue from sales tax, property taxes, and program revenues from the zoo, parks, airport and transit. Meanwhile, the need for County services has increased significantly as a consequence of COVID-19, which has disproportionately impacted Milwaukee County residents and communities of color. Milwaukee County continues to work with our State and Federal partners to secure funding for these essential services, including transit.
More information about MCTS and COVID-19 is posted at RideMCTS.com/Coronavirus.

author: Milwaukee County Transit System


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| Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
May 26, 2020

author: Adam Carr


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Checking in: How are you doing as we confront the coronavirus? | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Dwayne Burtin
May 27, 2020
(Photo provided by Shanice Thomas and Deja Garner)
So, how are you doing?
Milwaukee NNS continues to check in with the community as we cope with the challenges of Covid-19. This week we hear from a mother and daughter who work with youth and families in our neighborhood schools.
______________________________________________________________________
(Photo provided by Shanice Thomas)
‘
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Shanice Thomas, parent coordinator at Milwaukee Public Schools
Metcalfe Park
Well, for me it has been pretty productive. The first couple of weeks I rested. We have become so busy in our day-to-day tasks that we rarely get time to rest.
Once rested, I tackled some much needed housework. Also, I have been working from home. I am normally what you would call an introvert so staying home is not so much an issue for me as it is for others. I didn’t take the order to mean stay indoors. So in between working. I went for bike rides, walks and did yard work. I tried to not focus or worry about what was happening in the world. I did my best to remain safe and practice all of the CDC guidelines. I made it a point to check on my elderly neighbors and check in with those who have been affected by this virus and checked in on those who may just have a problem staying in with little human interaction. Trying to be as encouraging as I can. I created a Zoom account for my family and friends. We meet once a week.
I feel that I need and have worked on gaining being in control of me, my time, my thoughts, my day-to-day tasks even as the world begins to open back up. I need more of that, and I also need more patience when dealing with others.
Honestly, I need less bills!
I want to say to my neighbors to be encouraged. I am here for you. We are a community, we are family. Stay safe and let us together overcome these obstacles.
Let’s plan a block cleanup. I’ll supply the hot dogs. Of course using safe-distancing practices. Be well! My condolences to the people who have lost loved ones during this time. I know our neighborhood was hit pretty hard.
I guarantee that the seed you plant in love no matter how small, will grow into a mighty tree of refuge.
~Afeni Shakur
______________________________________________________________________
(Photo provided by Deja Garner)
Deja Garner, community outreach coordinator at WAVE (Wisconsin Anti-Violence Effort) Educational Fund and team member of FAST (Families and Schools Together) at Hopkins Lloyd Community School
Roosevelt Grove
I’ve been experiencing a mix of emotions since being told to stay indoors. Although I’ve been home more, it seems that work and other obligations have picked up a lot more. I work for a gun violence prevention organization and that work has not stopped for us. I lost two former students to a domestic violence incident where five family members lost their lives to a person with a gun. I’ve had a hard time processing that.
I wish I had more downtime. Lots of people have gone virtual in their work, and I think that opens the door for more people to want to do more activities; I’ve been looped into quite a few different things. On a more personal note, although our state is back “open,” I’ve still been precautious about gatherings. I definitely miss physical interaction with friends and family. That’s something I did not realize I would need more of until all of this happened.
Zoom meetings! Ha-ha. On a serious note, I’m not sure what I need less of aside from what I have already mentioned. The projects I’ve been part of have been good projects, but sometimes there’s not enough hours in the day.
I’ve dealt with some flooding in my own home and in a home that I am house sitting, so a little less rain at one time would be nice, too.
Be gracious with yourself during this time! Take everything step-by-step and do what is best for yourself and your family. I hope you can feel the love from a distance!

author: Dwayne Burtin


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49931501317_66c1e46a06_o | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
May 26, 2020


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OPINION: My parents didn’t teach me how to deal with racism. But I will teach my son. | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Jenny Lee
May 27, 2020
(Photo provided by Jenny Lee)
Editor’s note: Have something on your mind? “Community Voices” is the place to let Milwaukee hear what you have to say. To be considered, we need your name, email address and phone number for verification. Please email your submissions to info@milwaukeenns.org.
Jenny Lee is a stay-at-home chef and former newspaper journalist. In this piece, she reflects on sharing her Asian heritage as a parent while dealing with the racism that the coronavirus has unleashed.
I lifted my 3-year-old son onto the couch as I watched “Asian Americans,” a PBS documentary that aired in mid-May for Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.
I held him there and said, “We are Asian American.”
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Uninterested in black and white footage, my son hopped off the couch and left the room. When he’s older, I will teach him about our history and heritage.
Right now, my son has no concept of COVID-19 nor does he know what the term “Asian American” means. He’s a late talker, so I can’t explain the constructs in any way he’ll understand. But he does see race.
Last September, I heard the doorbell and opened the door to see a young Asian American woman standing in front of me, along with two other salespeople. My son pushed past my legs, grabbed the woman’s hand and pulled her inside. He wanted her to play with him. I think my son picked her among the three salespeople because she looked Asian, because she looked like me.
Growing up as the daughter of Korean immigrants, my parents told me to get straight A’s and get into an Ivy League school. I followed the “Model Minority” trend.
My parents didn’t teach me how to deal with racism. One time when I was young, a homeless woman yelled, “Why don’t you go back to where you came from!” when we sat at a picnic table near her. She kept yelling. My mother frantically whispered to my father, “We should go.” My father replied, “We have every right to be here.” He sat down. Kudos to my dad.
But as a family, we never talked about that incident. We were supposed to let it go. Yet, for me, those incidents built up inside me and caused pain. That’s a cycle I want to break. I didn’t fully know how to respond calmly to racist incidents until my 30s. I had to figure it out myself. But my son doesn’t have to navigate racist slights by himself. I’ll teach him how to handle it.
COVID-19 has revealed the ugly and sinister side of humans living in a pandemic. Throughout the world, those of Asian descent have been spit on, yelled at, beaten and stabbed because perpetrators believe people who look like me are all Chinese and we all brought the coronavirus to their country. Yes, the virus was first reported in China. But a virus doesn’t discriminate. Everyone spreads it.
I want my son to know that writing an email is fighting racism and ignorance. On March 9, a local publication published a photo of two Asians wearing masks at a Los Angeles airport with a sign in front of them saying, “Do Not Enter. Authorized Personnel Only.” The photo was attached to an article about a university advising students not to travel during spring break in the midst of the coronavirus. I felt the photo was subliminally saying to Asian Americans that we’re not welcome here. With racism rampant against Asians because of the virus, I told the publication in an email, “This photo perpetuates fear of those of Asian descent just because the virus originated in China.”
The reporter wrote back and gave a heartfelt apology. The publication switched out the photo. Staff are more careful when picking a picture for coronavirus-related stories.
My son won’t remember this pandemic as being anything different than pre-COVID-19. The last major event covered in the PBS documentary series was the Sept. 11 attacks and hate crimes against Muslim Americans. In time, I’m sure an updated documentary on Asian American history will talk about anti-Asian sentiment during the pandemic. When my son’s older, I will gently explain everything he lived through.
Asian Pacific American Heritage Month means talking about the good and bad of history — and celebrating the heritage of so many different cultures within one category. It means introducing Korean food to my kid. It means stockpiling children’s books that feature Korean American stories and racially tolerant lessons. This symbolic month means teaching my son how to stand up for himself and his heritage.

author: Jenny Lee


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PerillaKitchen_055_WebL | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
May 26, 2020


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What you need to know about youth summer camps during the coronavirus | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Bridget Fogarty
May 27, 2020
Children participate in the Wacky Olympics tug-of-war during a summer camp offered by the Milwaukee Recreation department in 2018. This year’s programming will not include any contact activities. (Photo provided by Milwaukee Recreation)
Did we miss anything? Comment below or send an email with the subject “summer camps” in the subject field to info@milwaukeenns.org.
Whether moving operations online or proceeding with on-site programs, summer camp leaders are rethinking protocols to limit contact and prioritize the safety of their staff, campers and families. Despite COVID-19, there are still options for children to have a safe and enriching summer.
Many of the campers who typically attend weekly in-person programs are the children of essential workers who depend on camp services as child care, said Lynn Greb, the recreation director for the Milwaukee Recreation Department, which runs through Milwaukee Public Schools.
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“As more and more businesses are opening, a bigger need for child care is going to come to light,” she said.
The department’s Summer Enrichment Camps are scheduled to start July 6 for an abbreviated summer of on-site programming. Camps are hosted in MPS school facilities, which are inaccessible under current orders until June 30, Greb said.
In order to host in-person camps, the Recreation Department will continue to follow the guidance and regulations of the Wisconsin Department of Health Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Of 100 sites that once could accommodate 150 campers each, about half of those locations will host a maximum of 50 students each, Greb said. Campers will be divided into smaller groups of one to two staff members per eight or nine children, ensuring that no more than 10 individuals are in a room at once, she said.
“Being more intentional about keeping groups separate is a primary way to keep everyone as safe as possible,” Greb said. “The safety of the participants is our top priority.”
Without the ability to get off site for field trips or participate in large group activities, Greb said staff will have to be more adaptable and creative in finding other ways to engage campers.
“To me, it comes down to that leader,” she said. “Having a caring adult working with young people is such an important part of that experience. There’s still ways to make that experience fun and enriching to the young people even in spite of some of the restrictions we have now.”
Summit Educational Association, which normally runs a full time, seven-week program for students in the fourth to eighth grades, also plans to provide an in-person camp, with programs scheduled to run five days a week starting June 22 until Aug. 7 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The camp’s COVID-19 plan provides detailed guidelines of operation for this summer and includes protocol on a variety of situations.
“Everything will be socially distanced,” said the program’s executive director, Matt Smyczek. Though the camp traditionally brings youth of all ages together through academics and collaborative sports, there will be 32 small groups of fewer than 10 campers this summer. All students and staff will wear masks, and there will be no interaction with other teams, he said.
Summit Education Association also meets the need for child care. About 95% of families that attend the association’s camps live on modest or lower incomes, and the organization works with families to ensure finances do not create a barrier to  attend camp, Smyczek said.
Families can call Matt Smyczek at 414-364-2902 or email mattsmyczek@summitea.org for more information.
Many camps have moved operations online— but are still committed to a very hands-on experience.
“An online environment offers a different opportunity,” said Ben LaDuke, the director of College for Kids and Teens Camp. “There’s a place for this in the future of education.”
The camp, which typically occurs on the UW-Milwaukee campus, has transitioned about two-thirds of its 250 courses to online. Multiple two-week-long sessions will occur through a live, online platform from June 15 to August 7.
Families can safely pick up resource bags from staff that have the supplies needed to do each project alongside peers and instructors virtually. LaDuke said project-based activities and opportunities for virtual interaction will keep students engaged.
College for Kids and Teens Camp also offers two scholarship programs that are still available for families. About 118 scholarships are available for families with students in kindergarten through fifth grade to attend one week of camp. For students in sixth through 12th grade, there are about 80 scholarships available to fund an entire summer.
Students can attend up to three two-hour classes per day in two-week increments, and families have the flexibility to choose how many or how few courses they would like their children to take.
For more information, email cfkids@uwm.edu or call 414-227-3360.
The 7 Generations YEP Summer Day Campat the Gerald L. Ignace Indian Health Center has always been a space for native youth ages 7 to 12 to participate in activities focused on well-being, mental health and their indigenous culture. With all programming moved online, the youth center has continued to offer that space for Native American families virtually— through Zoom hangouts. They will continue all programming online for the summer. For more information, contact Stacey Mattson at 414-316-5050 or shollister@gliihc.net.
The Urban Ecology Center plans to host in-person camps and has suspended registration until June 1.  Families can reach out to Lynn Anders, the environmental education manager, at landers@urbanecologycenter.org.
PeppNation, a nonprofit that typically hosts tutoring and sports camps all summer long, plans to continue programs virtually through live fitness workout videos on its Facebook page Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. The nonprofit also has opportunities for youth to participate in the PeppNation Workforce Development Program. Call 414- 366-2130 or email PeppNationSLC@gmail.com for more information.
Discovery World will begin summer programming in June with virtual DW@Home Summer Camp. Students will utilize materials available by curbside pickup for a hands-on experience at home. Families can register here for camps taking place in July and August. Those camps will be held in person based on recommendations from official health guidelines.
The Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee summer camp registration is now open.  The camps will have smaller groups and a greater focus on hygiene and distancing, but leaders have decided to discontinue field trips, overnights and specialty camps, according to the organization’s  COVID-19 camp update. Check here for some of the resources the clubs are offering families to help youth keep learning safely during this time.

author: Bridget Fogarty


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8619561285_9c13a077c0_k | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
May 26, 2020


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Journalism at your fingertips: News414 connects Milwaukee to news and resources through text messages | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Allison Dikanovic, Wisconsin Watch
May 28, 2020
(Photo by Wes Tank of TankThink)
If you or someone you know need information to help you get through the coronavirus crisis, you can now text MILWAUKEE to 73224 to use a new service called News414.
The free texting service offers essential information such as where to find food near you and what rights you have as a tenant during the pandemic. And if you have questions or want to share information with us, News414 will connect you with a reporter who will try to track down the information you want.
Journalists from Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service and the statewide investigative newsroom Wisconsin Watch are working together on the News414 project. Outlier Media, a texting news service in Detroit that pioneered this model, is helping the News414 team launch the service, which is partly funded by the Google News Initiative.
The goal is to listen to residents’ needs and deliver accurate information to Milwaukee neighborhoods in creative and accessible ways, starting with SMS texting.
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“I think it is going to address some of the needs we have by increasing people’s capacity to get relevant information in real time,” said Jeff Roman, project manager for News414.
The News414 service currently focuses on five issue areas: food access, housing, health and safety, jobs and money, and mental health and domestic violence.
“I’ve been telling people that it’s not just accessing information, it’s getting support to navigate information if you don’t understand it,” Roman said. “It’s not just a list of resources or an article. There is a reciprocal relationship people can develop to help them understand and navigate life.”
Roman has a strong track record of organizing and mobilizing community organizations in Milwaukee. He is leading the project with fellow Milwaukee native Jimmy Gutierrez, a veteran public affairs journalist and former firefighter, who will serve as News 414’s community engagement manager.
“I’m thrilled that News414 is being led by sons of Milwaukee who know and love our communities,” said Ron Smith, editor of Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service. “We are excited to get things moving so we can feed the information needs of residents.”
Since the service launched this month, Roman and Gutierrez have gotten the word out by connecting with groups already working in Milwaukee’s North and South Side neighborhoods.
“We’ve already heard back from people that are now interacting with our texting service,” Gutierrez said.
Someone texted the service on Wednesday looking for information about unemployment and disability benefits following an accident, Gutierrez said. The person also worried about eviction and wondered where someone with no income right now could find food.
“They went through our service, and they found a food bank near them using our database powered by a partnership with Hunger Task Force, and information about evictions from an expert at Community Advocates,” Gutierrez said.
Gutierrez then followed up over the phone, making sure the person had the information they needed — including who someone could call to check their eligibility for disability benefits.
“That person being able to directly interact with a reporter about the more nuanced questions they had — it kind of flexed the muscles of what the service can do and what it can be,” Gutierrez said.
Aside from its texting service, News414 plans to also publish online investigative news stories to amplify issues Milwaukee residents say are most important. The stories will also explore solutions to problems and hold people in power accountable when they fall short.
People who interact with the texting service may offer key tips that lead to these stories.
“I often talk about things that are in the air and things that are on the ground, and the way that things are often talked about in the news feels like it stays in the air,” Roman said. “News414 can connect the people who are creating news to people on the ground, so that what is being reported is really representative of the community and is coming from the ground up.”
Gutierrez said he hopes a service like News414 will shift the way journalists work in Milwaukee.
“I hope News414 can be a guide for what community-centered journalism can look like,” he said. “Instead of editors deciding what a story should be and telling reporters, this model allows residents to really direct our reporting.”
jimmy@milwaukeenns.orgjeff@milwaukeenns.org
News414 sends free, personalized data via SMS texting, standard text messaging, to Milwaukee residents. The text snapshot below shows what an early interaction between News414 and a resident looks like from the newsroom’s end. If you want to try it yourself, text the word MILWAUKEE, MKE or NEWS414 to 73224. Message and data rates may apply. As a subscriber, you may receive up to four messages a month, or more depending on the information you share or request. Reply HELP for help or STOP to cancel at any time. Privacy and Terms can be found here.

author: Allison Dikanovic, Wisconsin Watch


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| Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
May 27, 2020


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NNS on WGLB radio: Reporter Edgar Mendez talks about how essential workers are dealing with the pandemic | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
May 28, 2020
(Photo by Adam Carr)
Edgar Mendez talks with Saryea Murchison and Dennis Walton of WGLB radio about whether essential workers felt safer than they did a month ago, and whether they thought the stay at home order should continue.

author: Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service


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IMG_3904 | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
May 28, 2020


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| Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
May 28, 2020
“NNS Interview May 22 Edgar”.


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What you need to know about the proposed MPS budget | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Sam Woods
May 28, 2020
As COVID-19 casts uncertainty over what schools will look like, MPS is proposing a budget for the fall. (File photo by Adam Carr)
On Thursday night, the Milwaukee Board of School Directors will meet virtually to vote on Superintendent Keith Posley’s proposed budget for the 2020-2021 school year.
This is a preliminary budget that outlines the district’s priorities based on estimated revenue. The final budget will be adopted in the fall once revenue totals are known.
The board’s meeting will be streamed live on MPS’ YouTube page, starting at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday. The board will not take  public testimony at the meeting, but you can submit written testimony to governance@milwaukee.k12.wi.us until 3 p.m.
Here are some things you should know:
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The biggest difference between last year’s budget and the proposed budget is in staffing. With a $57 million boost from a referendum approved in April, the district seeks to add 230 more staffers in schools. These positions include teachers, school psychologists and guidance counselors.
“This budget is a commitment to staff as evidenced by increased salaries and benefits,” Posley said while briefing the school board’s Strategic Planning and Budget Committee.
The proposed budget includes a loss of 42 positions, including such non-classroom roles as accountants, bricklayers and school secretaries.
Much of the increase in staffing increase would come from the referendum money. In a breakdown of how the district plans to use the funding, $29.9 million of the $57 million would go toward “attracting and retaining certified educators.” The district proposes using the rest of the money for early childhood education programs, to expand library services and arts programs, and to support advanced academic, career and technical programming.
(File photo by Adam Carr)
Anne Chapman, a senior researcher with the Wisconsin Policy Forum, a nonpartisan policy research organization, said the additional money from the referendum will not solve other looming financial issues at the district.
“It is good that they are making investments in students and staff.  That is absolutely key,” Chapman said. “But they’ve also got to grapple with costly long-term structural gaps in things like building maintenance.”
While the district would increase its construction fund from $2.6 million to $6.6 million in the proposed budget, a recently released Wisconsin Policy Forum report noted that MPS has $180 million in deferred maintenance to address in the near future.
The proposed budget does not consider future changes in revenue or expenditures, including those caused by COVID-19. This is normal, as budgets are typically proposed in the spring but change in the fall once enrollment numbers are officially known.
However, COVID-19 may force more drastic changes to the budget plan than usual by fall. Chapman said there are three big unknowns that could have budget implications.
First, state and federal aid are not set in stone. The biggest contributor to MPS’ revenue is the aid it gets from the state. An economic recession could force the state to revisit its current budget, sending less aid than MPS is currently expecting.
Second, though MPS receives far less federal aid than state aid, federal aid also is uncertain. However, it is possible that federal aid to MPS could increase by the fall.
Third, if schools are not able to open in the fall, or if they have to remain closed for an extended period of time because of the pandemic, it is not clear how this changes MPS’ expenditures. Schools could conceivably save money on transportation costs but lose money on technical support.
Some community groups have expressed concern about MPS’ spending plan. Leaders Igniting Transformation, or LIT, a youth-of-color-led advocacy and organizing group, is calling for increasing the number of support staff. The positions would be paid for by reductions in safety budgets and the elimination of contracting services with the Milwaukee Police Department. Support staff includes such positions as guidance counselors and school nurses.
LIT is calling for the district to hire 333 full-time equivalent nurses and 750 full-time equivalent guidance counselors by the 2023-2024 school year, starting with adding18 nurses and 108 guidance counselors to this year’s proposed budget.
Angela Harris, a parent and teacher at MPS, acknowledged the intent of the school board to improve staff recruitment and retention, which would be allocated almost $30 million.
But she said the budget process needs to be more accessible to parents who want to make informed suggestions. She also said the budget review process should be lengthened.

author: Sam Woods


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Wisconsin’s eviction ban expired on Tuesday. Here’s what Milwaukee renters need to know. | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Allison Dikanovic, Wisconsin Watch
May 28, 2020
Landlords on Wednesday could again legally issue eviction notices, the first step of the eviction filing process. (File photo by Adam Carr)
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers’ statewide ban on evictions expired on Tuesday, leaving many Milwaukee renters at risk of losing their housing during a pandemic that has left hundreds of thousands of Wisconsinites unemployed.
Milwaukee renters have reported a variety of concerns to Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service and Wisconsin Watch through News414, a news-by-text collaboration launched this month. Those include renters who are struggling to come up with the cash they owe their landlords, renters who report being charged illegal late fees and renters due in court next month to face eviction cases.
News414 users have plenty of company.
More than 100 people called the Community Advocates rent helpline before 10 a.m. on Tuesday morning, part of a weeks-long surge in calls, said Deb Heffner, housing strategy director at Community Advocates, a social service nonprofit in Milwaukee.
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“We’ve been getting double the calls we normally get, sometimes triple, depending on the day,” Heffner said. “All throughout the night people are calling and leaving voice messages, and rightfully so. It’s a scary time, people are worried.”
Renters make up more than half of households in Milwaukee County, which in 2016 had a higher percentage of renters than any other large Midwestern county, according to a study from the Wisconsin Policy Forum, a nonpartisan, statewide research organization. Even before the coronavirus crisis, about half of county renters were considered rent-burdened, meaning they spent at least 30% of their income on rent, the 2018 study said.
About 40% of African American renters in the four-county Milwaukee metro area spent more than half of their incomes on rent, the 2018 study said, compared to 21% of white households.
The COVID-19 pandemic has only added burdens.
Thousands of Milwaukee residents lost paychecks as businesses shut down to control the virus, and the state Department of Workforce Development has been slow to process a rush of unemployment insurance claims — leaving hundreds of thousands of Wisconsinites waiting for payments.
“We’re hearing from a lot of tenants who are calling and saying that they still haven’t received unemployment payments, and they haven’t received a (federal) stimulus check yet, and we want to dispel the myth that everyone has the resources they need to pay right now,” Heffner said.
As the pandemic continues and these challenges mount, here is what Milwaukee renters should know about evictions and their rights.
Yes, but only temporarily.
Evers in late March issued a 60-day ban on evictions and home foreclosures across Wisconsin. But the emergency order didn’t suspend rent.
That means renters remained legally responsible for all rent owed for April and May.
Landlords on Wednesday could again legally issue eviction notices, the first step of the eviction filing process.
Most notices give tenants five days to pay or vacate, but tenants on month-to-month leases may receive 28-day notices, while others in special circumstances may receive 14-day notices, said Colleen Foley, executive director of the Legal Aid Society of Milwaukee.
The five-day notice states how much a tenant owes, with instructions to pay that amount or vacate the unit within five days. If the tenant does not meet the demand, a landlord can continue the eviction process.
Tenants in some buildings with federally backed mortgages have added protections against evictions — a product of the federal CARES Act. That ban lasts until July 25.
You can check if your building is covered here.
Not necessarily.
An eviction notice is different from a court-filed eviction, meaning renters still have time to pay back rent or work out a formal agreement with a landlord. Such an agreement might involve setting a move-out date without the landlord filing the eviction or setting up a payment plan. Agreements should be in writing and ideally signed by a witness, Foley said.
When the deadline on an eviction notice expires, a landlord can file an official eviction complaint and summons. That involves scheduling a court date.
“You’re entitled to your day in court,” Foley said.
Renters facing an eviction notice should first try to get the cash to pay back the rent, and then try to get a lawyer, Foley said.
Eviction proceedings unfold in civil court — not criminal court. That means courts do not automatically assign a lawyer to represent a tenant, but organizations such as the Legal Aid Society of Milwaukee and Legal Action of Wisconsin can provide free representation for those whose incomes qualify.
A tenant might win a case if the landlord failed to serve an eviction notice or improperly followed procedures. Lawyers sometimes find other ways to help their clients win cases, Foley said.
And if your landlord wins in court? The sheriff’s office will mail you a notice. That is when you must leave your home.
If you are behind on rent payments, try connecting with your landlord, Heffner said. Try negotiating a payment plan and offer ideas for avoiding an eviction. And explain how you might pay back the money, whether you are applying for emergency rent assistance, waiting for your unemployment benefits to come through or trying to get a loan from a friend or family member.
“The sooner you reach out, the better,” Heffner said. “Don’t wait until you get the notice. If you know you need help, communicate to your landlord.”
If you are uncomfortable talking with your landlord, organizations such as Community Advocates and Mediate Milwaukee can help.
Those groups offer mediation between tenants and landlords, spurring a conversation — facilitated by a neutral party — that can lead to agreements. Mediation is free and confidential and can occur before or after an eviction is filed, said Amy Koltz, executive director and mediator for the Wisconsin Foreclosure Mediation Network and the Metro Milwaukee Foreclosure Mediation Program.
Community Advocates is helping tenants apply for emergency rent assistance, offering several options to those who qualify. Most require you to have lost some kind of income because of the coronavirus shutdown.
“Each individual situation is different,” Heffner said. “The best thing is to call. Your circumstance is unique to you.”
Heffner said that Community Advocates and MKE United sent mailers to 3,500 landlords in Milwaukee with information about mediation options and rent assistance resources to pass along to tenants.
Yes. Evers on Wednesday announced a statewide rental assistance program relying on federal CARES Act funding, and the details are still being finalized.
Milwaukee residents have one option for applying, according to the state Department of Administration: going through the Social Development Commission.
You can enter your information here to get your application started, and representatives from the Social Development Commission will begin calling people back the week of June 8.
The Department of Administration says adults earning at or below 80% of their county’s median income — at the time of their application or the month before — could qualify. Rent assistance ranges up to $3,000 per applicant, with payments going directly to landlords through partner agencies.
The $25 million program will work on a first come, first served basis, possibly assisting more than 8,000 Wisconsinites.
Not legally — for now.
The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection in April issued an emergency rule that temporarily banned fees on late or missed rent payments. Ti Gauger, a department spokeswoman, said the ban lasts until Aug. 8.
If your landlord tries charging you a late fee anyway, Gauger suggested calling the state’s Consumer Protection Hotline at 800-422-7128.
Heffner said you can also try Community Advocates’ rent helpline, where staff can offer advice for how to navigate the situation with your landlord.
If your landlord started eviction proceedings before the Evers issued the statewide ban (March 27), you should have already received a rescheduled court date.
More than 350 Milwaukee County eviction cases were already in the pipeline before Evers issued his order, Foley said. Those hearings began as early as Wednesday, she added.
Milwaukee County civil court is conducting its business remotely through Zoom. If you have a case, you should have a link to join online or a phone number to call — two options for exercising your right to appear.
Holding court remotely adds challenges for presenting evidence, which must be filed through the county’s e-filing system.
Milwaukee County courthouse staff are still planning how to resume in-person hearings — with people keeping a safe distance from each other, said Chief Judge Mary E. Triggiano. But courts have yet to set a date for a return to the courthouse.
That’s hard to say.
Even before the pandemic, some Milwaukee neighborhoods saw as many as 10 to 15% of households evicted in a given year, according to a Medical College of Wisconsin analysis. And the city typically saw relatively high eviction totals in spring and summer.
Milwaukee landlords filed 1,057 evictions in May 2018 after filing 1,332 evictions the previous May.
Allison Dikanovic is an engagement reporting fellow for Wisconsin Watch, which is partnering with Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service on News414, a news-by-text project. Need information about food security, housing, health and safety, jobs and money or mental health and domestic violence? Text MILWAUKEE or MKE to 73224, and we will text you information and offer you the option of connecting with a reporter. Or you can email Dikanovic directly at adikanovic@wisconsinwatch.org.


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5 things to do and know the weekend of May 29: The COVID-19 edition | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Ana Martinez-Ortiz
May 29, 2020
Voces de la Frontera and Youth Empowered in the Struggle are hosting a virtual day of action this weekend. (File photo by Sue Vliet)
It’s Friday in Milwaukee, and here are some things we think you should know about as the nation grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic.
If you would like your event to be considered for this column, please email info@milwaukeenns.org and put “5 things” in the subject line by noon Thursday.
1. Hmong Census Coalition to livestream “The Stranger”: Friday, May 29
The Hmong Census Coalition is livestreaming an original Hmong film, “The Stranger,” at 8 p.m. on Friday, May 29. The film will be shown on YouTube and Facebook, followed by a Q&A session with the director, Bryan Vue, and the star, Tom Thao. The story follows Steve as he escapes from Laos and lives the “American Dream.” The Hmong Census Coalition will also use this time to update the Hmong community on census activities and why everyone needs to be counted.
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2. Feeling restless inside? Get out and play Social Distancing Block Bingo
It’s inevitable to feel a little bored or cagey these days. That’s why we’ve s created Social Distancing Block Bingo (download here). Each square contains a fun activity that can be done while still maintaining social distancing. Print or download your card today.
3. Voces de la Frontera digital day of action: Saturday, May 30
Voces de la Frontera along with Youth Empowered in the Struggle is hosting a digital day of action on Saturday, May 30. The day will be split into two sessions with the first going from 10 a.m. to noon and the second from noon to 2 p.m. The event is dedicated to encouraging community members to participate in the census, register to vote and join grassroot efforts to mobilize youth and communities of color. To join in, click the Zoom link.
4. Milwaukee’s North Side has COVID-19 testing sites
There are COVID-19 testing sites on Milwaukee’s North Side, including Progressive Community Health Centers, 3522 W. Lisbon Ave., Outreach Community Health Centers, 210 W. Capitol Drive, and Milwaukee Health Services, 2555 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Drive. For the full list, click here. Milwaukee residents experiencing COVID-19 symptoms should call their healthcare provider or dial 2-1-1 for assistance.
5. Milwaukee Public Schools virtual summer academy
Parents can now register their children for Milwaukee Public Schools virtual summer academy July session. The academy is available for students in K5 through grade 12. Classes will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. starting Monday, July 6 until Friday, July 31. The deadline to register is Friday, June 26. To sign out a Chromebook for the summer session, families will need to contact their home school before the end of the school year.
Bonus: The latest coronavirus coverage from NNS
Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service reporters are hard at work bringing readers up-to-date information regarding coronavirus. Stay informed on coronavirus by following us on our Facebook page and subscribing to our daily newsletter. All coronavirus related articles can be found on this landing page. If you have a question or concern about coronavirus, send them in our way. We’re here to serve you.

author: Ana Martinez-Ortiz


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33580444063_652722d64d_o | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
May 28, 2020


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As other businesses reopen, neighborhood pubs await their marching orders | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Edgar Mendez
May 29, 2020
Anna’s Tap shut down for the first time in 30 years on March 17. (Photo by Edgar Mendez)
Nearly three months after the City of Milwaukee ordered all taverns and restaurants to close, bowing to COVID-19 concerns, Samantha Ritchie is still in the dark about when and if she should reopen Anna’s Tap.
“In the beginning, I was like:  ‘OK, let’s follow the rules,’ ” said Ritchie, the owner of  the corner bar located on South 18th and West Grant streets.  “But after not having any income for a while, I’m at the point where I have to get back to work.”
According to the Milwaukee Health Department’s most recent health and safety order, “Moving Milwaukee Forward,” customers of bars can only enter to order, pick up and pay for food or beverages.
For many neighborhood pubs such as Anna’s Tap that don’t sell food, the only option has been to stay closed. Milwaukee does not have an end date to its current order.
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Meanwhile, in 18 Milwaukee suburbs and elsewhere across the state, bars are open for business — a hard pill to swallow for Ritchie and others.
“It’s like they’re picking and choosing who’s going to make money and who’s not,” she said.
Steve Baas, senior vice president of governmental affairs for the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce, said the rules have created circumstances where one bar is allowed to open, while another across the street has to remain closed because it’s located within city limits.
“Tavern and other business owners in Milwaukee are being left on an increasingly shrinking island of businesses that can’t be open for operation,” Baas said. “The city is going to need to address this sooner than later.”
Mayor Tom Barrett said Thursday during the daily COVID-19 media briefing that an announcement on taverns and other businesses could come as soon as Friday.
“We will continue analyzing the [COVID-19] data over the last week or two as to whether we can move into the next phase in reopening businesses, Barrett said. “Most of the businesses are now reopened, but you still have limitations for a number of businesses, and we know that that’s a concern among restaurants. We know that’s a concern among bars.”
As for Ritchie, whose business closed for the first time in 30 years on March 17, knowing people who’ve lost family members to COVID-19 and being unsure of regulations she will face once she does reopen have tempered her optimism.
“My bar is small so if I’m only allowed five customers or so at a time . It’s not worth it,” she said. “That and knowing I have an older clientele and have kids myself that can get sick makes it scary.”
Bars in suburban Milwaukee have been asked to follow guidelines such as operating at 25 percent capacity and also take other safety measures, although it’s questionable whether all businesses are following those rules. Videos and photos of busy bars with minimal social distancing have made the rounds on social media and elsewhere.
Joe Katz, owner of the Highbury Pub in Bay View, said he won’t reopen until he feels it is safe to do so, regardless of whether the city gives tavern owners the green light.
“In all honesty, I don’t think it’s time to reopen,” he said.  “I totally get it that people need to survive financially, but if you’re dead, then what?”
Katz has been able to maintain some income flow by turning his pub into a beer store, and he’s also received support through the federal Paycheck Protection Program. Still, he said, he has suffered financially.
“All small businesses are going to run out of money eventually if they don’t open, unless they own the building they operate out of,” Katz said. “But the health and safety of my employees and customers is more important.”
Baas said his organization understands the need to strike the right balance between safety and keeping the economy moving. He said he believes the city is working hard to craft a solution. Unfortunately, though, a remedy may not come in time to save businesses currently on the ropes, he said.
“It’s inevitable that you will see businesses that aren’t going to be able to weather the storm and won’t make it and that’s sad,” Baas said. “These are people that invested huge amounts of money and time to build their businesses and the pandemic has wiped them out.”

author: Edgar Mendez


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OPINION: What’s in a name? It turns out everything when you’re a young immigrant yearning to fit in. | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Edgar Lin
May 29, 2020
Edgar moved to America from Taiwan when he was 5 years old. (Photos provided by Edgar Lin)
Editor’s note: Have something on your mind? “Community Voices” is the place to let Milwaukee hear what you have to say. To be considered, we need your name, email address and phone number for verification. Please email your submissions to info@milwaukeenns.org.
Edgar Lin is an attorney at Buting, Williams & Stilling and a member of Governor and Lieutenant Governor’s Public Safety & Criminal Justice Reform Policy Advisory Council. In this piece, he shares his experience moving from Taiwan to the United States and his struggles with learning and accepting his real name.
“Hi, my name is Edgar. I’m new here. Would you like to go play outside?”
My aunt taught me those golden words so I could find friends in the neighborhood. I was around 5 years old and just arrived in America from Taiwan.
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I went door to door to profess my newness and willingness to play. With every door I knocked on, new kids joined the crew. The neighborhood kids decided we would play baseball. We all gathered together in the middle of the cul-de-sac and began discussing the rules. At that moment, I realized that my rudimentary English did not translate well into the rules of a sport. The language was out of my league. I nodded my head along and thankfully made it through the game with my dignity intact. That summer was filled with baseball and impromptu games with the neighborhood kids. For me, that summer was America. It was amazing.
I moved a lot between Taiwan and the United States growing up. I attended four different elementary schools by age 9. Because I moved often between two countries with very different cultures and languages, I was in a state of “perma-fusion” or permanent confusion.
Fast forward to 2 grade. It was the first day of school in America after spending several years in Taiwan. My English had significantly regressed, and the teacher was taking attendance.
“Enku Lin,” she said.
No response.
“Enku Lin?” she said. This time she sounded less certain.
No response.
“Who doesn’t even know their name!” I thought to myself. Immediately after that thought, I became a bit nervous.  I looked around the classroom. The other Asian kid was already called. I could not imagine that one of the white kids had that name. But then again, my English was wobbly. Maybe it was a new hip American name (think Keanu Reeves)?
My first name is Edgar. It was unlikely she pronounced it wrong. My last name is Lin, but that could just be a coincidence. I sunk into my seat.
“Perhaps I mispronounced it. I’ll get back to it,” said the teacher. She finished roll call and to no one’s surprise, I was the only person left. She confirmed my birthday and address and said, “I think you are Enku.”
I kept a straight face and ignored the giggles and snickers that followed me for the rest of the day. I ran home crying to my mother. I wanted her to fix this colossal mistake.
Much to my horror, my mother replied casually, “Oh, yes, Enku is your legal name. I forgot to tell you.” I was furious. She had eight years to tell me! The name sounded foreign and strange. It sounded so un-American. How could I be a normal kid with a goofy name like “Enku?” I wanted to have nothing to do with it. The next day, I told the teacher that I went by Edgar.
Unfortunately, the discomfort followed me all the way to adulthood. My Taiwanese name is pronounced as “Lin (last name) In-gu” (first name), which roughly translated to “impression of forest and canyon.” My parents would call me by my Taiwanese name or my English name, but never by “Enku,” a legal creation.
It was not until I was in my mid-30s that I opened up to my legal name. I tried going by “Enku” on my Hawaiian honeymoon. Asians account for a substantial portion of the population in Hawaii. This meant that there would be plenty of foreign-sounding names besides my own. The result? It was delightfully liberating.
Many Asians in America, especially first-generation immigrants, adopt English names. The reasons range from pure convenience to a deep yearning to belong. For me, it was both.
Since then, I have come to embrace and love “Enku.” Today, I go by both Edgar and Enku. “Edgar” is my American story. “Enku” is the story of my roots. I love both names because I love both stories. It makes me who I am.
Epilogue:
When my mother visited me in Milwaukee a few years ago, she gave me my original birth certificate from Taiwan.  I noticed an even stranger and unfamiliar name listed under “English Name.”
“Gene.”
I asked my mom for an explanation to which she replied, “Go ask your dad.” My dad casually explained that he liked the sound of “Gene” because it sounded like the word “genius.” After a few days, he cooled on “Gene” and decided he liked the name “Edgar,” a name of a peaceful king.

author: Edgar Lin


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| Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
May 28, 2020


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edgarprofile | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
May 28, 2020


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Post from Community: New National Guard North Side testing location and times | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
City of Milwaukee Health Department
May 31, 2020
Editor’s note: Our Posts from the Community feature is a platform for community announcements and event postings. If you have a post to be considered, send it to info@milwaukeenns.org or submit it directly.
On Friday, May 29, 2020, the Milwaukee Health Department (MHD) announced a New National Guard North side testing location and adjusted hours of operation as of June 1st, 2020:
The new North side testing site will be located in the parking lot of Custer Stadium, across the street from Barack Obama School of Career and Technical Education.
4300 W Fairmount Avenue
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Milwaukee, WI 53218
UMOS
2710 South Chase Avenue
Milwaukee, WI 53207
Days/Hours
Monday – Thursday 11am – 7pm
Friday – Saturday 11am – 5pm
Sunday Closed
Testing is one part of keeping the city safe from Covid-19. The best way to avoid infection is to limit contact with others and gatherings, practice good hygiene and wear a face covering. A negative test result does not mean you are immune or safe from Covid-19, which continues to spread throughout the state. The National Guard has been working very hard and we appreciate their continued support in keeping Milwaukee Moving Forward. Based on experience from UMOS and Midtown sites in May, hours at both sites will be adjusted to match demand. Please make note of the adjusted hours and times above. This change will take place starting June 1. Stay Safe Milwaukee.

author: City of Milwaukee Health Department


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Post from Community: Social Development Commission to reopen to public Mon, June 1 | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Social Development Commission
May 31, 2020
(File photo by Elliot Hughes)
Editor’s note: Our Posts from the Community feature is a platform for community announcements and event postings. If you have a post to be considered, send it to info@milwaukeenns.org or submit it directly.
With new guidelines in place to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, The Social Development Commission will re-open to the public and resume full service on Monday, June 1.  The safety of our customers and employees is our top priority.
Here’s what we’re doing to maintain a safe environment:
•Before a customer, guest or employee enters our building, we will check their temperature in our west entrance foyer. Anyone with a 100.4 or higher temperature will not be allowed in the building. Customers will be instructed to contact a health care provider. Customers, guests and employees should stay home when not feeling well.
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•Face coverings are required. This will help prevent the spread of the virus through speaking, coughing or sneezing. A customer or guest will be offered a face covering if they do not have one.
•We will practice social/physical distancing. People are expected to stay at least six feet apart.  A face covering is required when space cannot be maintained.
•We expect everyone to practice good hygiene. Customers, guests and employees should wash hands frequently or use hand sanitizer.
•We will connect via phone, computer or video, whenever possible, to reduce traffic and minimize physical contact where possible (e.g., no-touch drop-offs/pickups).
We are also implementing physical changes at our facility:
The Social Development Commission is the largest Community Action Agency in the state of Wisconsin. Committed to providing resources to help people move beyond poverty, the Social Development Commission offers various programs, including the Wisconsin Rent Assistance Program that will help people recover from economic and mental health challenges in a pandemic environment.

author: Social Development Commission


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| Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
May 31, 2020


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5 things to know the week of June 1 in Milwaukee: The COVID-19 edition | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Ana Martinez-Ortiz
June 1, 2020
The Zeidler Group is hosting a Zoom conversation on homelessness and eviction on Tuesday, June 2. (NNS file photo)
It’s Monday in Milwaukee, and here are some things we think you should know about as the nation grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic. If you would like your event to be considered for this column, please email info@milwaukeenns.org and put “5 things” in the subject line by .
The American Red Cross needs blood donations. Visit the Red Cross website to schedule an appointment or call 1-800-RED-CROSS. The United Methodist Children’s Services, 3940 W. Lisbon Ave., will host a blood drive from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday, June 1. The Southside Church of Christ, 1933 W. Grange Ave., also will host a blood drive from noon to 5 p.m. on Monday, June 1.
The Zeidler Group is hosting a conversation on homelessness and eviction from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, June 2. The talk is a part of the group’s “Frank Talks,” which are conversations based on Frank Zeidler’s legacy of civil discourse. The conversation will take place over Zoom and feature Sister MacCanon Brown and Lt. Karen Dubois of the MacCanon Brown Homeless Sanctuary. To RSVP, click here. What Milwaukee renters need to know about eviction.
3. Community leaders launch the “You Matter” campaign
The Stronger Together Collective is a group of leaders who banded together to address problems in Milwaukee. As part of its efforts, it’s launched the “You Matter” or “Cuidate” campaign. The goal of the campaign is to provide a space for community members, social advocates and government officials to have conversations on how to raise awareness and advocacy on issues regarding racial inequities. For more information, check out the You Matter MKE Facebook page.
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The Milwaukee County Transit System is resuming fare collection starting at 4 a.m. on Monday, June 1. Riders are asked to wear a mask or face covering while riding the bus. For now, each bus will remain limited to 10 passengers. For additional information, visit the Milwaukee County Transit System website.
The podcast, “Bridge the City,” recently released a conversation focused on mutual aid and the role it has played during the COVID-19 pandemic. “Bridge the City” spoke with Metcalfe Park Community Bridges and Ayuda Mutua MKE. To listen, click here.   NNS Spotlight: ‘I feel defeated after I watch the news’: Podcast creators work to change narratives, spur civic action
The latest coronavirus coverage from NNS
Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service reporters are hard at work bringing readers up-to-date information regarding coronavirus. Stay informed by following us on our Facebook page and subscribing to our daily newsletter. All coronavirus related articles can be found on this landing page. If you have a question or concern about coronavirus, send them in our way. We’re here to serve you.


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11963379973_5c3396103f_o | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
May 31, 2020


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From growing more spiritual to becoming more focused on erasing health inequities: Catching up with two COVID-19 survivors | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Sam Woods
June 2, 2020
In April, we checked in with three members of our community who tested positive for COVID-19. Today, we catch up with two of them.
‘I don’t tell people I had it’
Rebecca Quesada, ESL support teacher from the Jackson Park neighborhood
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When we last checked in with Rebecca Quesada, she was recently out of the hospital after being hospitalized for what turned out to be both pneumonia and COVID-19. In the hospital, Quesada remembered thinking she “was a goner,” but she recovered and was able to return home after losing 15 pounds and still fighting a persistent cough.
At home, Quesada felt exhausted — both physically and mentally. In addition to the harsh physical symptoms of the virus, Quesada said the mental exhaustion from fighting the virus can be debilitating as well and can linger after the physical symptoms are gone.
Rebecca Quesada was hospitalized due to COVID-19. Now she has recovered and has found a new purpose in life. (Photo provided by Rebecca Quesada)
“It wears you down like you are in a war,” Quesada said.
As she gathered the strength to venture outside, she said she emerged into a world where people did not seem to be taking the virus seriously. She said she can understand why someone might not have the same sense of urgency as her to follow social distancing guidelines and wear a mask outside, but she still thinks people need to take this seriously even when they are not showing symptoms.
On the other hand, once she mentioned she’s had the virus to someone, she’s noticed a distinct change in their behavior. Suddenly, they keep their distance and don’t want anything to do with her.
“I don’t tell people I had it because they avoid me like the plague,” Quesada said.
The biggest difference in Quesada’s life since surviving COVID-19 has been her deepening spirituality. In the hospital, Quesada recalls thinking that her life was out of her or her doctors’ hands, and only her faith could save her. Since returning home, she hasn’t forgotten those moments of helplessness.
“It was up to me and God. Well, more God than me.”
Since returning from the hospital, Quesada said that she began praying and reading her Bible more. As she was in the midst of determining why she had been saved, a friend called her with an opportunity to help with Generations Against Bullying, an anti-bullying organization that offers in-school training on how to interrupt or prevent bullying.
Quesada said this issue has meaning to her because bullying in schools translates to bullying in other forms later in life. She thinks it’s important to broaden the definition of bullying beyond schoolyard bullying to domestic abuse or workplace harassment. To help do this, she is helping Generations Against Bullying get information ready to be presented to potential partners.
“Now would it have happened had I not had COVID-19? I don’t know,” Quesada said. “But this is what He came up with so I’m going with it. I believe that God is directing my steps.”
‘I definitely don’t want to get it again’
David Bowen, a member of the state Assembly from the Rufus King neighborhood
When we last checked in with David Bowen, he had recovered fully from COVID-19 after riding out the virus in his home. Though he never felt as close to death as Quesada, Bowen did report experiencing a 103-degree fever, body chills and physical exhaustion over two weeks.
Since April, Bowen has communicated with both the City of Milwaukee’s Health Department and his primary care physician to ensure he has recovered. At the time of his interview, he said he plans on donating his plasma, which contain COVID-19 antibodies that can help other people fight the virus.
David Bowen beat COVID-19 months ago but still thinks about the effect the virus is having on him and the world. (File photo by Grace Connatser)
Bowen also said that while it is possible for him to get the virus again, it helps ease his mind that he had it once already and survived.
“I am less concerned about if I can beat it than I was before,” Bowen said. “But I definitely don’t want to get it again.”
As he has recovered, Bowen is thinking primarily about the effect COVID-19 is having on the world and how pre-existing inequities are being exasperated by the virus. In our previous story, Bowen commented on the state of medical care for black Milwaukeeans before COVID-19 arrived and how comparatively high rates of conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes “gives the virus fuel to destroy you.” Now, Bowen expressed hope that businesses, nonprofits, and government can more effectively work together to address existing inequities.
“I am hopeful that one of the few silver linings of this pandemic is that all folks in all sectors get on the same page and start fixing the problems this virus is exposing,” Bowen said.
In case you missed it: OPINION: ‘The ability to know for certain’: My experience getting tested for the coronavirus


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bowen | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
June 1, 2020


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| Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
June 1, 2020


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Grassroots organizers take issue with letter purportedly signed by 130 African American leaders | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Ana Martinez-Ortiz
June 2, 2020
The protests that have taken place throughout the city have led to conversations about racial health inequities and what to do about them. (Photo by Wes Tank)
Some community organizers have expressed outrage that their names were included in a letter purportedly signed by 130 African American leaders about damage to Milwaukee businesses during protests.
“The unrelenting pressure from structural and systemic racism is more than any person can be expected to endure,” the first paragraph of the letter, which was published by media outlets such as the Milwaukee Business Journal and NNS, reads. “For a community, the consequences of oppression are corrosive, carcinogenic, and incendiary. The killing of George Floyd was the latest in a centuries long history of our precious lives cut short. Across the nation, people have been pushed over the edge. Protests, public anger, and grief are the smoke, not the spark that led to the recent events.”
Backlash against the letter quickly spread on social media Monday, with some leaders saying they never gave permission for their names to be included on the list.
“I wasn’t part of the process, and I’m not even sure there was a process,” said Markasa Tucker, the director of the African American Roundtable.
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Tucker said she first heard about the letter when a staffer, Devin Anderson, alerted her to it. Tucker said she didn’t receive an email asking her to grant permission. She’s asked that her name be removed.
Instead, she said, her organization stands behind a statement issued by Leaders Igniting Transformation, or LIT, a statewide organization led by youths of color. That group has called for elected leaders to dismantle racist practices and to remove all police and policing resources, among other demands.
Elmer Moore Jr., a community leader, was part of the group that created the letter. He said the group initially started in response to COVID-19 and aimed to bring resources to the African American communities that have been disproportionally affected.
After the death of Floyd and the start of the protests, some group members decided to write the letter to present a collective response. The letter was emailed Sunday, and the individuals listed had until 5 p.m. to opt out before it was sent to local media.
“It was not meant to cause offense,” Moore said. “We’re working to secure the same results as the protest, that is, the dismantling of structural and institutional racism.”
Jeff Roman, a community organizer, said some of the individuals listed in the letter began working together in March as an informal group of “leaders in the air” and “leaders on the ground” to provide COVID-19 resources to black communities. (Roman is the project manager for News414, a service journalism collaboration between NNS and two other nonprofit newsrooms, Wisconsin Watch and Outlier Media, that connects residents to news and resources through text messaging.)
Roman said the leaders in the air have access to funding and resources, while those on the ground work directly with those impacted. He noted there is often a disconnect between the two groups.
“The issue is that those in the air don’t connect well with those on the ground and they overstep,” Roman said, adding that this is what happened with the letter.
Many objected to a portion of the last paragraph, which says: “We must strongly condemn the actions of those coopting the protests with destruction and violence. Their actions do not represent our demand for equity and opportunity. We are fighting for our lives, our health, and our prosperity because we matter. You matter. “
Shavonda Sisson, the director of programming at Public Allies, also asked that her name be removed because she said the letter undermined her work and does not align with her beliefs.
“I’m not going to condemn oppressed people and the way they resist oppression,” Sisson said. “People are fighting for their lives, and I’m not going to put buildings before that.”
When she heard about the letter, Sisson made a Facebook post explaining she didn’t agree with some of the content. She said it was important that the young people she works with know she’s an ally and a person they can turn to when in trouble.
Carl Wesley, the president and CEO of the Center for Self-Sufficiency, agreed to have his name remain on the letter. He said the backlash occurred because the letter was sent out on a Sunday afternoon and required people to opt out rather than opt in.
“I agree with the letter,” Wesley said. “It did a good job to capture the issues that were existing long before today.”
While the letter was criticized by some for not having a call to action, Wesley said he felt it was important to quickly put something out to show support and that a more detailed plan is coming.
“We believe in the cause, but we don’t want the focus to go on the looting and rioting,” he said.
Moore said the plan is to republish the letter, with an updated list of signatures. An apology has been issued, he said.
Tucker said moving forward, leaders who work with grassroot organizations need to be included in the process and conversation.
As one of the on-the-ground workers, Roman is helping the group create a strategy.
“Those plans of action come from” leaders “on the ground because they know what the issues are, and they’re better positioned to articulate what those demands are,” he said.
The unrelenting pressure from structural and systemic racism is more than any person can be expected to endure. For a community, the consequences of oppression are corrosive, carcinogenic, and incendiary. The killing of George Floyd was the latest in a centuries long history of our precious lives cut short. Across the nation, people have been pushed over the edge. Protests, public anger, and grief are the smoke, not the spark that led to the recent events.
Heinous and ongoing violence committed against our fathers and mothers, sons and daughters in the form of inadequate access to decent education, healthcare, work, and housing conflicts with our fundamental sense of humanity. This ethical contradiction cannot stand, and we will no longer endure it.
Just days ago, we launched “You Matter” as an affirmation to our community of their individual and collective value. You are important, you are loved, you matter. While this campaign was launched in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s a message that transcends this virus.
As leaders of organizations that serve our communities, we are committed to attacking racism at the systems level. We’re prepared to do this both individually and collectively to ensure our loved ones the basic, inalienable rights, and protections they deserve. “You Matter” is just the start.
We must strongly condemn the actions of those coopting the protests with destruction and violence. Their actions do not represent our demand for equity and opportunity. We are fighting for our lives, our health, and our prosperity because we matter. You matter.


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| Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
June 2, 2020


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OPINION: We don’t need the National Guard. But we do need our elected leaders to dismantle racist practices. | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Leaders Igniting Transformation
June 2, 2020
Protests and marches have taken place throughout Milwaukee in response to George Floyd’s death, as well as slayings of black men by local police. (Photo by Allison Dikanovic)
Editor’s note: Have something on your mind? “Community Voices” is the place to let Milwaukee hear what you have to say. To be considered, we need your name, email address and phone number for verification. Please email your submissions to info@milwaukeenns.org.
Leaders Igniting Transformation is a statewide organization led by black and brown young people with chapters across Milwaukee high schools and Wisconsin college campuses that are building power to advocate for changes affecting youth of color.
Over the weekend, Gov. Tony Evers signed an executive order to bring in 125 National Guard personnel into Milwaukee to protect “critical infrastructure and cultural sites” following protests. We understand this was requested by our local Milwaukee leadership: Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, Milwaukee Police Chief Alfonso Morales, and Milwaukee County Sheriff Earnell Lucas.
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Let’s make one thing clear: Our leadership in Wisconsin is reacting to black pain by calling more police on us.
Our national, state, city and school leaders continue to enforce white supremacy by throwing their full weight and resources into threatening, policing and killing us instead of toward the actual issues we’re asking them to fix. Any statement from our elected leaders right now that isn’t calling for divesting from the police and military is perpetuating white supremacy by distracting from and devaluing black lives.
For centuries we’ve experienced white supremacy and witnessed the murder of black people at the hands of white cops, slave owners and racist institutions. This country’s history is written in black people’s blood. We know this history and we stand on the shoulders of our ancestry in saying we’ve had enough. Protests in Milwaukee and across the country are disrupting the status quo right now to demand urgent attention.
Today our state, county and city executive leadership demonstrated a decision to ignore the pain and trauma black people are facing. We are hurt, we are tired, and we are demanding change. Calling in the National Guard to police us instead of fixing the issues we’re demanding is perpetuating white supremacy.
We are indeed in a state of emergency that needs our leadership’s commitment to no longer follow the status quo that got us to this point. Racism is an urgent crisis and black people are dying daily — disproportionately at the hands of police, disproportionately from COVID-19, disproportionately from lead poisoning, disproportionately by chronic poverty from systemic neglect, disproportionately from every health condition you can count from racism in every institution. Yet our reaction to the daily death and dying of our people is met with constant occupation and policing. MPD already has military-grade vehicles and weapons. They are on our streets daily. We do not need more militarization. Governor Tony Evers, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley and Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett continue to ignore our demands and instead are doubling down on the problem.
There’s an easy way to stop this. Listen to what our black and brown leaders are saying. Do your job to represent us. Stop killing us. When black people are murdered, arrest their murderers. Remove racist police from our schools, neighborhoods, and communities. Invest in our neighborhoods and our lives so we can thrive. Leaders Igniting Transformation has been organizing young people to remove police from schools, neighborhoods and our city for years. We’ve researched the issue and have a concrete agenda to follow. Change is possible and we’ve started making progress.
This is a turning point for our city, state and country. We are not able to place issues of racial inequity on the backburner any longer. It’s time for a new standard. It’s time to listen to the youth and tear down the systems that keep us from thriving.
Instead of an executive order to call in the National Guard, we urge Governor Evers, County Executive Crowley and Mayor Barrett to all issue emergency orders to support black lives and dismantle racist practices in all our institutions they have authority over:
1. Declare racism a statewide emergency with the same force and resources of the National Guard
2. Remove all police and policing resources from our neighborhoods and schools immediately
3. Demilitarize our streets and stop accepting federal surplus of military weapons
4. Allocate emergency and permanent resources to invest in black and brown lives like counseling, strengthening our schools, replacing our lead pipes and rebuilding our black and brown businesses.
5. Audit all government institutions to identify racist practices and deliver a comprehensive plan to address the problem.
Governor Evers, Mayor Barrett and County Executive Crowley all have the chance to be on the correct side of history. In this historic moment, our leaders can use their power and resources to hear, prioritize and invest in the needs and well-being of their black and brown constituents. Now is not the time for business as usual. We must all invest in dismantling our ancient, oppressive institutions to finally protect black lives. Call off the National Guard.

author: Leaders Igniting Transformation


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Post from Community: Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee takes phased approach to re-opening clubs | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Boys & Girls Club of Greater Milwaukee
June 3, 2020
Editor’s note: Our Posts from the Community feature is a platform for community announcements and event postings. If you have a post to be considered, send it to info@milwaukeenns.org or submit it directly.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee (BGCGM) is taking a phased approach to re-opening our Clubs in order to provide critical summer programming to Milwaukee’s youth. BGCGM operates 44 Clubs in Milwaukee, as well as Camp Whitcomb/Mason in Hartland. The Clubs will open two locations on Monday, June 8:
Mary Ryan (3000 North Sherman Boulevard)
Don & Sallie Davis (1975 South 24th Street)
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The Clubs will open five additional locations on Monday, June 22:
Daniels-Mardak (4834 North 35th Street)
Fitzsimonds (3400 West North Avenue)
LaVarnway (2739 North 15th Street)
Pieper-Hillside (611 West Cherry Street)
Camp Whitcomb/Mason (W294 N8436 Camp Whitcomb Road, Hartland)
Camp Whitcomb/Mason will offer day camp operations only. After careful review of CDC guidelines related to COVID-19, BGCGM has made the difficult decision to cancel overnight camp for the entire 2020 season.
The health and safety of our members and staff is BGCGM’s highest priority. All open sites will operate at reduced capacity and under strict health and safety protocols as outlined by the CDC, Wisconsin Department of Health Services, and Milwaukee Health Department. Our staff is undergoing rigorous training as we prepare to open our doors to youth, and we are deeply committed to health & safety with special focus on social distancing, disinfecting & good hand hygiene. We are closely monitoring guidelines put forth by public health officials and will base all operational decisions on these guidelines.
Registration is now open at www.bgcmilwaukee.org.
Families can send questions or request registration assistance by emailing: membership@bgcmilwaukee.org.

author: Boys & Girls Club of Greater Milwaukee


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MediumRectangle_300X250.jpg | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
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June 1, 2020

author: Name *


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Parenting support and education groups begin remotely this month for moms, dads and parents to be | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Milwaukee County Healthy Start
June 3, 2020
Editor’s note: Our Posts from the Community feature is a platform for community announcements and event postings. If you have a post to be considered, send it to info@milwaukeenns.org or submit it directly.
The Milwaukee County Healthy Start program in partnership with the City of Milwaukee Health Department is offering free parenting support groups beginning in June 2020.
All groups will meet remotely via Zoom from the comfort of your home. Register in advance for a Zoom link by emailing healthystart@chw.org.
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For pregnant women in Milwaukee County
Wednesdays from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. June 3 to July 22
(eight consecutive Wednesdays)
For men parenting an infant or toddler 0-18 months

author: Milwaukee County Healthy Start


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MCHSbanner-01-01.png | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
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June 2, 2020


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Post from Community: BBB business tip: What to do when you can’t pay — or collect — rent | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Wisconsin Better Business Bureau
June 3, 2020
Editor’s note: Our Posts from the Community feature is a platform for community announcements and event postings. If you have a post to be considered, send it to info@milwaukeenns.org or submit it directly.
The coronavirus pandemic has caused business closures, furloughs, stay-at-home orders, and layoffs. The result is that many tenants are reaching the point that they are unable to pay rent. This poses a situation to small business owners who rent their place of business and are struggling to pay, as well as landlords who are watching their own source of income dry up if their renters are facing a difficult financial situation. In both cases, what can be done?
Understand Local Provisions for Unpaid Rent
Under normal circumstances, landlords can provide small business owners (and tenants in general) with notice when they miss a rental payment. If a tenant still fails to pay outstanding rent, the landlord can take action to collect unpaid funds or to have the tenant evicted. That said, the current pandemic has affected what is considered a “normal” procedure. Many states have issued eviction moratoriums, which could override the terms of the lease and keep tenants from getting evicted, for now. Check with your local government to find out what provisions are in place where you live and how long they will last.
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Review the Terms of the Lease
The details of what should happen when a tenant fails to pay rent are all outlined in the lease agreement, so now is the time to review the terms of the lease. Each party’s options and legal obligations depend largely on what is written in this legal agreement. The lease may offer emergency provisions, suspending rent obligations during times of crisis or forced shut down. Such provisions are rare, but it’s worth reviewing just the same.
Renters, if your lease is unclear, you can consult with a lawyer to decipher it and to discuss strategies when negotiating with the landlord. If you can’t afford an attorney, information can be found at the legal aid resources from the American Bar Association and the Canadian Bar Association.
Keep the Lines of Communication Open
Open communication is key, especially during an unusual situation such as a pandemic. If you are a small business owner struggling to cover the rent, call your landlord to discuss the situation. For many landlords, working out an agreement is mutually beneficial, if it means the tenant’s business will survive when state-mandated stay-at-home orders are lifted. Some landlords may even be willing to suspend a payment, defer rent, or lower monthly payments for a specified period of time.
If you are a landlord who has yet to receive payments from your tenants, it’s wise to do the same. Get in touch and discuss the situation openly. Good tenants who are reliable will usually be willing to work out an arrangement to pay owed funds as soon as they get back to work or are able to. Even if coming to an agreement proves difficult, the first step to a solution is getting a clear understanding of your tenants’ financial situation.
Consider All Options
If you are a small business owner, take some time to evaluate your finances to find a solution to your rent dilemma. After an honest evaluation, you may come up with an unexpected solution. Think about the following:
If you are a landlord and your tenants are struggling, consider the following options.  If circumstances still warrant evicting a tenant, consider this option, but keep in mind that it will likely take longer to go through the legal process than it did before coronavirus hit.
Instead, think about the following:
Look for Outside Assistance
Some cities are now offering rent vouchers and emergency funds for renters in need. Find out if there are organizations in your area offering this kind of assistance for small business owners. If you are a landlord, you can do the same research in behalf of your renters. After all, if they get help, you’ll get rent.
In addition, landlords having trouble paying their own mortgage can get in touch with their lender to find out if they are offering any assistance to borrowers who have been affected by COVID-19. Some counties and states have extended the due dates for property taxes and eliminated late fees and interest. A quick visit to your local tax assessor’s website will tell you if you qualify.
For More Information
Find more tips on recovering, keeping safe, and growing your business, see our BBB.org/Coronavirus and our BBB.org/SmallBusiness. For further inquiries, contact the Wisconsin BBB at www.bbb.org/wisconsin, 414-847-6000 or 1-800-273-1002. Consumers also can find more information about how to protect themselves from scams by following the Wisconsin BBB on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

author: Wisconsin Better Business Bureau


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Showing off Milwaukee’s beautiful, resilient Class of 2020 | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr, Sue Vliet and Mark Doremus
June 3, 2020
While COVID-19 may have halted most in-person ceremonies and celebrations, that doesn’t make us any less proud of all the graduates “crossing the stage” in our neighborhoods.
So we met up with graduates of all levels on their front lawns to celebrate and photograph them and their families.
Congratulations to the beautiful and resilient Class of 2020!
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author: Adam Carr, Sue Vliet and Mark Doremus


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Post from Community: A Call to Action: Now is the Time | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Jobs That Help
June 4, 2020
Editor’s note: Our Posts from the Community feature is a platform for community announcements and event postings. If you have a post to be considered, send it to info@milwaukeenns.org or submit it directly.
We are heartbroken by the killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and so many more black and brown lives in our country. We stand in solidarity with those seeking justice and change, and we are inspired by the leadership shown by the nonprofit and community organizations that have been working tirelessly for racial justice across our state.
We see Leaders Igniting Transformation’s and Freedom, Inc.’s call to divest from police and invest in black lives, the ACLU of Wisconsin providing legal observing and demonstrators’ rights training, the hiring of 75 peace keepers by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane County, Diverse & Resilient providing support to protesters, and the African-American Civic Engagement Roundtable’s 8 Demands for a New Beginning for Milwaukee County, and so much more.
Thank you for your leadership and for your calls to action. We have joined you in the streets, put money where our mouth is, and urged action from our representatives, and still, we know that more is needed.
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Now is a time for action for racial justice and for change. Though taking action looks different for each of us, we all play a key role in supporting, guiding, and informing those in our circles, and our actions make a difference.
If you are not sure what your next steps should be, consider attending (or viewing the recordings afterward of) this statewide virtual summit happening tomorrow (6/5) to address social and racial justice for Black Americans, hosted by Madison365 and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane County, featuring 20+ leaders from across the state.
Further, a call to those in leadership roles in our nonprofit community: if your organization hasn’t yet taken action on (or a re-examination of) how it can support and invest in the efforts of black and brown leaders in our communities, organizations, and lives who are fighting for justice, now is the time.
We know how hard this work can be, and if we can support you in this work in any way, or if we can learn from you in doing this work, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.
Ben Hastil & Shelly Crane – the Jobs That Help team
Jobs That Help
info@jobsthathelp.com
www.JobsThatHelp.com

author: Jobs That Help


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A-Call-to-Action-Now-is-the-Time.png | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
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June 4, 2020


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OPINION: It’s time to prioritize the lives of all residents. Here are demands to ensure we do so. | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
African American Roundtable
June 4, 2020
Protesters participate in a motorcade on May 30, 2020. (Photo by Eric Kleppe-Montenegro)
Editor’s note: Have something on your mind? “Community Voices” is the place to let Milwaukee hear what you have to say. To be considered, we need your name, email address and phone number for verification. Please email your submissions to info@milwaukeenns.org.
The African American Roundtable is a coalition led by and serving the African American community in Milwaukee that exists to “empower and organize our community to transform policies so we can thrive and live at our greatest potential.”
“You cannot judge a victim by the way they fight back. The black community is being choked and we are fighting for their lives.”
-Morathi Adams, The Movement for Black Lives and Freedom Inc.
The African American Roundtable is committed to action for justice on behalf of individuals, both past and present, who have lost their lives at the hands of police violence. The events that have transpired in Milwaukee over the past week have been a display of community pain and frustration toward unfair policing practices and systemic racism.
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The death of George Floyd in Minneapolis and the aftermath of ongoing protests across the nation have been unfortunate and revealing. His death has reignited the conversation around policing in America, which has yet to be resolved. Unfortunately, there have been recent cases locally, like Joel Acevedo’s murder, that mirror the tragedy that has sparked national unrest.
“We’re going through the consequence of white supremacy not being addressed, racism not being addressed, divestment from communities not being addressed,” said Markasa Tucker, director of the African American Roundtable. “So much more has not been addressed that people shouldn’t expect any other response, referring to the protests and when looting occurs.”
We must come together as a community to hold our political system accountable in order to create a safe community for all to live and thrive. Our demands are as follows:
Public Safety
Instead of an executive order to activate the National Guard, the Governor and County Executive should provide safeguards to black communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
It is imperative we continue to hold all public officials accountable to the community, especially in a time when our community’s needs are greater than ever. Therefore, we demand every person in a position of power within our political system prioritize the lives of all residents.
Sincerely,
African American-Roundtable (AART)
ACLU of Wisconsin
African American Breastfeeding Network, Inc
Ayuda Mutua MKE
Black Leaders Organizing for Communities (BLOC)
Black Lives Matter to Wisconsin Unitarian Universalists
Browns Crew
BYP 100 Milwaukee Chapter
Candace Coates, African American Roundtable Civic Engagement Advisory Board Member Center for Popular Democracy
Citizen Action of Wisconsin
Coalition for Justice
ComForce MKE
Cosecha Creative Space
Donovan Hines Foundation of Exuberance Co.
Fresh Start Learning, Inc
hamaca humilde
Hmong American Women’s Association
Huntley Consulting
Jamaal Smith
The Kairos International Christian Church
Leaders Igniting Transformation (LIT)
Milwaukee Area Service & Hospitality Workers Union Milwaukee Muslim Women’s Coalition
Metcalfe Park Community Bridges
Milwaukee Inner City Congregations Allied for Hope (MICAH) Niyomni Events, LLC
Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin
Progressive Baptist Church
Progressive Moms of Milwaukee
Racies Revolucionarias (R.A.R.A.S)
Rid Racism
Schools and Communities United
STITCH Milwaukee
SURJ MKE
Ubuntu Research and Evaluation
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Chapter, American Association of University Professionals
Urban Underground Milwaukee
Youth Justice Milwaukee
Voces de la Frontera
WAVE Educational Fund
Wisconsin Justice Initiative
Wisconsin Voices
Wisconsin Working Families Party
WISDOM
9to5 National
9to5 Wisconsin
Amy Mizialko, MTEA President
Brian McKee
Candace Coates, African American Roundtable Civic Engagement Advisory Board Member
Cassandra Bowers
Dr. Gabrielle Gray
Ingrid Walker-Henry, MTEA Vice President
Jacqueline Zeledon
Jarrett English, Metcalfe Park Community Bridges Board Member and Wisconsin Voices Board Member Jenni Hofschulte, Parents for Public Schools of Milwaukee
Joshua Taylor
Kara Coleman, African American Roundtable Civic Engagement Advisory Board Member
Nate Gilliam
Rhonda Hill, African American Roundtable Civic Engagement Advisory Board Member
Dr. Robert Smith, Director, Center for Urban Research, Teaching & Outreach Marquette University
Sean Wilson
Sharonda Hunter, African American Roundtable Civic Engagement Advisory Board Member
Shauntay Nelson
Stephanie Roades

author: African American Roundtable


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| Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Adam Carr
June 3, 2020

author: Adam Carr