Citizen Action Weekly: Friday, October 18th
Friday, October 18th
Citizen Action joins Governor Evers’ at launch of Task Force on Climate Change
Citizen Action of Wisconsin was proud to stand with Governor Evers, Lt Governor Mandela Barnes, environmentalist, union, business and community leaders Thursday in the official launch of the Wisconsin Climate Change Task Force, chaired by Lt Governor Barnes, can you join us in thanking them?
In order to prevent a climate catastrophe, all Wisconsin institutions must work to reduce carbon emissions. That is why we at Citizen Action are working to help organize homeowners, renters, small businesses, and local government buildings in Wisconsin’s Driftless Region to reduce their carbon emissions and cut their utility bills. Governor Evers’ new Task Force will help shine a light on what steps we need to take, as soon as possible.
Vote in People’s Action Presidential Primary Candidate Survey
Citizen Action of Wisconsin is member of the national organizing network, People’s Action. People’s Action is driven by local and state organizing. People’s Action was founded in 2016 to ignite a movement of millions that captures the rising demand for change in our society.
The 2020 Presidential Election presents an historic opportunity for our movement! We believe elections should revolve around everyday people, not candidates. Elections also need to be centered on our issues and our long term Platform. We’re bringing leading Presidential contenders to early primary states for Q&A forums — and grassroots leaders running the show.
We already complete the first forum in Des Moines, Iowa in September. Nearly 50 Citizen Action members attended the forum and asked questions of the Presidential candidates.
We encourage our members to watch the Iowa forum!
As part of the process Citizen Action is surveying our organizing cooperative members on their attitudes in the Democratic presidential primary election. We are encouraging all members to VOTE in the survey starting today. Voting will continue until Sunday, November 3rd.
North Central Organizing Co-op Member Announces Run for the 7th CD
Founding member of the NC WI Organizing Co-op, Tricia Zunker, announced her run for the 7th Congressional District of WI this past Monday. Tricia currently serves on the Wausau School Board, and was appointed School Board President. During her time there, she made working on solutions to childhood hunger in our schools a top priority.
Over the past year, Tricia has worked tirelessly to get municipal governments to recognize the 2nd Monday in October as Indigenous People’s Day, as well as working with school boards across the State to pass resolutions stating that they oppose mascots that mock or mimic Native American culture or tribes. All of these efforts culminated into the Central WI Indigenous People’s Day Pow Wow this past weekend, which is the first Pow Wow in the Wausau area in over a decade. It seemed only fitting that Tricia made her announcement to run for Congress on Indigenous People’s Day.
Citizen Action will be conducting on endorsement process for the election that will include member participation. Watch for details soon!
To Impeach or not to Impeach?
Our executive director Dr. Robert Kraig participated in a formal debate around the case of impeaching President Trump to a packed house on the North shore of Milwaukee Sunday night sponsored by Grassroots Northshore. Over 200 concerned citizens attended to hear the history of impeachment, the pros and cons and the current circumstances which have appeared to spurn on the House to take action. Dr. Sheldon Wasserman, an esteemed county supervisor, took the anti-impeach stance but with heavy caveats. At the end, when the room was surveyed, yes to impeachment was the majority opinion in the room.
Northwestern Organizing Cooperative Fall Social and Summit
The Northwestern WI Co-op is hosting their annual Fall Social and Summit! There will be food, beverages, and amazing conversation. Please bring a brunch dish to pass. Rafael Smith, Civic Engagement Director, will be the guest speaker. He is going to talk about the Green New Deal and what that looks like in our neck of the woods! There will also be opportunities to talk to leaders in the co-op about our work in healthcare reform, climate change, and voter suppression. This is not just for members! If you know anyone that may be interested in becoming a member, bring them along.
Saturday, October 26th, 10:00AM
2010 W. Moholt, Eau Claire.
Southeastern Wisconsin Organizing Co-op Volunteer Opportunity
Looking for a behind-the-scenes way to help our Green New Deal efforts, on your own time? The Southeastern Wisconsin Co-op Green New Deal team is looking for a volunteer to update our new Co-op membership database to ‘tag’ members who have expressed a special interest in climate/equity issues. This will help us to target our communications and develop greater cohesion and momentum for this work.
If you are willing to help with data entry tasks, please contact: [email protected]
Organizing Solidarity
Rally in support of workers at ThedaCare in Appleton
The SEIU Healthcare Wisconsin service and support workers at ThedaCare Regional Medical Center – Appleton are organizing a demonstration to bring the conditions in that hospital for both workers and patients into the public eye.
The rally will be in Appleton at 5:00 PM on October 21. 1301 N. Meade St, Appleton. Facebook RSVP
There are workers at ThedaCare who are homeless. Many work two or more jobs or donate plasma to pay for primary expenses. Some have been taken to collections by this very hospital, their employer, because they cannot afford to pay for healthcare with the insurance that this same employer provides. High turnover has led to chronic under staffing and under training, which has led to rooms not being adequately cleaned and operating equipment not being properly sterilized. There have been reports of cockroaches, bedbugs, and mice.
The workers have been bargaining with ThedaCare since April, and they’ve been operating without a contract extension since June. They’ve fought incredibly hard and now they need your support!
For Our Future WI’s Voter Voices Project
There is nothing in the world more powerful than a good story.
We hear them all the time. Middle class families who struggle to get by while those at the top get more and more through special tax breaks. Business owners who grapple with the effects of the Trump Administration’s trade war.
We are looking for people willing to share their stories about how government and politics directly affects their daily lives. If you have a story to share, please get in contact with For Our Future WI. If you are interested, fill out their interest form at tinyurl.com/y6gtn4ad
Citizen Action Present: Deindustrialization and the Green New Deal Panel Discussion Event
“Impeachment” Battleground Wisconsin Podcast
We discuss this week’s surprising House of Representatives vote where 129 House Republican members voted to rebuke Trump on Syria and will it lead to more movement for the impeachment of Trump. Robert and Karen Kirsch dive into a deeper discussion of impeachment. We also talk about the new state GOP effort to restrict Governor Evers’ veto power and to remove as many as 234,000 voters from Wisconsin’s voter roles.
LISTEN NOW – Episode #413
Download MP3
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