Citizen Action Weekly: Friday March 27th
Friday, March 27th
VOTE from HOME.
Request an absentee ballot for the April 7th election.
You can now register to vote online until March 30.
All voters in Wisconsin can request an absentee ballot be mailed to them for any reason.
You have until April 2, 2020, 5pm.
Voters can possibly request and vote an absentee ballot in-person in their municipal clerk’s office through April 5th.
Please contact your municipal clerk for absentee voting hours.
Watch and Share video on how easy it is to get an absentee ballot online.
Read step-by-step directions to request an absentee ballot.
Spring Endorsements in North Central WI
Katie Rosenberg for Mayor of Wausau.
Katie has served the Marathon County Board of Supervisors for the last two terms. She attempted to pass a resolution for fair maps back in 2018, and has been supportive of our work around healthcare. She is also an advocate for renewable energy and responsible environmental practices. She is a vocal supporter of our Organizing Co-ops. It’s hard to capture all that she has accomplished as an elected leader, but her willingness to work with all parties involved is something that gives her an edge in governing.
Wausau City Council
Tiffany Rodriguez-Lee (District 2) – Tiffany is a political newcomer, but her family has been very active in the local nonprofit world. She was recently elected as the Vice President of the Governance Council for the Wausau Area Montessori Charter School, and is the Grants & Outcomes Director at the Wausau Boys and Girls Club. Tiffany felt compelled to run because she believes the Wausau City Council does not embrace diversity. Her opponent is opposed to our platform and goals.
Tom Kilian (District 3) – Tom is a founding member of the Citizen Action NC Organizing Co-op, and has been one of our strongest supporters from the beginning. He has led the fight in Wausau to expose decades of environmental contamination in his neighborhood, covered up by industry and minimized by local and state governments. He co-created a group called Concerned Citizens of Wausau. Several Co-op members are also active in this group. Tom brought in the assistance of a Harvard toxicologist who is a member of Citizen Action’s national network People’s Action. He is challenging an incumbent who once recited biblical verses in response to organizers seeking a permit for a pride parade in Wausau.
Tracy Wheatley (District 7) – Tracy is a political newcomer, and is a young woman with a lot of passion who shares our values.
Sarah Watson (District 8) – Sarah is a Citizen Action co-op member, a member of WEAC, and the co-president of her local. She is running against a woman who once served as Mayor of Wausau and has a history of making racial comments. Sarah was recommended to the Co-op by one of our founding members.
Marathon County Board of Supervisors
Jen Bizzotto (District 2) – Jen is a political newcomer. She currently works for Judicare, and believes that the Marathon County Board of Supervisors needs to be more inclusive of the diverse people that make up the community. She is running against someone that stands for the opposite of what our members stand for.
William Harris (District 3) – William is a political newcomer. He works for Judicare, and believes that we should be working to help families that are struggling and believes that local governments play a vital role in this. William is opposing a man that is opposed to much of what the Co-op wants to accomplish. The NC organizer serves on a candidate recruitment committee, made up of several groups and community leaders, and Will was found as a result of the efforts of this committee.
Ka Lo (District 5 & Wausau School Board) – A Citizen Action Co-op member, Ka has served on the Marathon County Board of Supervisors for the last 2 years, and is supportive of our platform. She is the first Hmong woman elected to the Marathon County Board of Supervisors. If she wins the race for school board, she will be the only voice for the Hmong community on that board. Ka used to run the progressive Democrats group in Marathon County, and is also active with Our Wisconsin Revolution.
Yee Leng Xiong (District 19, Village of Weston Board of Trustees, and DC Everest School Board) – Yee is a Citizen Action Organizing Co-op member, and is a fierce advocate for the Hmong community and for Citizen Action. He is the Youth Program Coordinator for the Hmong American Center in Wausau. Yee has served on the Marathon County Board of Supervisors since 2014, and has been on the DC Everest School Board and the Weston Village Board of Trustees for several years.
Jonathan Fisher (District 38) – A founding member of the Citizen Action Organizing Co-op. Jonathan’s wife is also on the local Steering Committee of the co-op. Jonathan strongly supports our issue platform, and is a huge supporter of health care reform and renewable energy. He and his partner are strong supporters of renewable energy and healthcare reform.
Tomahawk School Board
Mark Martello – Mark is a founding member of the Citizen Action and is on the local steering committee. He ran for the 35th Assembly District in 2018 and played a role in developing Citizen Action’s issue platform. Mark is a veteran, and works for the VA Clinic.
Oneida County Board of Supervisors
Steven Schreier (District 4) – Steven and his partner are both Citizen Action organizing co-op members, and spoke at the JFC hearings in support of expanding BadgerCare and Fair Maps. Steven has helped lead the Fair Maps fights in the Town of Newbold and City of Rhinelander, and is committed to the Citizen Action platform.
Langlade County Board of Supervisors
Sandy Fischer (District 2) – Sandy is a founding Citizen Action co-op organizing member, has served on the Langlade County Board for many years, and has always been a champion for progressive causes. Sandy is committed to Citizen Action’s issue platform.
Northeast Organizing Co-op announces spring endorsements!
Brown County Board of Supervisors
Lindsay Dorff (District 4)- Lindsay is a long time co-op member. She is a leader in the Fair Maps coalition and has demonstrated her commitment to progressive ideas many times over.
Megan Borchardt (District 8)– Megan is a co-op member and leader in Brown County on the issue of mental health and criminal justice reform. She works very closely with our WISDOM Affiliate and LGBTQ+ Leadership in her advocacy on the Brown County Board.
Cassandra Erickson (District 19)- Cassandra is a co-op member. She is a strong progressive leader in Brown County and spends her time volunteering in the local schools, and lead a transgender support group in Brown County.
Green Bay City Council
Barbara Dorff (District 1)- Barb is a long time member and supporter of progressive politics in Green Bay. She is a vocal supporter of Co-op member Mayor Eric Genrich’s push for inclusivity and diversity positions in Green Bay.
Randy Scannel (District 7)- Randy is a co-op member and vocal progressive on the Green Bay City Council. He has been working closely with the Green Bay sustainability commission to implement their recommendations on a municipal level.
Calumet County Board of Supervisors
Emily Voight (District 3)- Emily is a co-op member and political leader in Calumet county. Her three main goals as a county board member are fair maps, health, and human services and clean water for her community.
Spring Endorsements in Milwaukee County
Tearman Spencer for Milwaukee City Attorney
Tearman is ready to use the City Attorney office to help advance our agenda. He was particularly impressive in his interview with his promise to work proactively with Citizen Action to ensure our climate and equity proposals at the City of Milwaukee pass legal muster and are implemented effectively. The incumbent has regularly used his office to work against most progressive legislation proposed at the City over the past three decades.
Milwaukee County Board
Joseph J. Czarnezki (District 11) – Citizen Action co-op member Joe Czarnezki has a long history of public service representing Milwaukee County as both a Wisconsin state representative, from 1981 to 1983, and a Wisconsin state senator, from 1983 to 1993.
See previous Milwaukee County endorsements.
North Central and Central WI Volunteer Opportunities from home!
We need your help to win this April 7th election and then the May 12th special election for Tricia Zunker!
Starting next week, we will have an opportunity for you to help us on a virtual phone bank to help us win in April! We will be helping folks learn how register to vote absentee and promoting Jill Karofsky for Supreme Court.The NC Organizer, Joel Lewis and two Field Canvassers, Don Dunphy and Melissa Engels-Lewis have been calling folks for the last few weeks and were on the doors before that. Please call Joel at 715-551-2525 or email him at [email protected]
Statewide Virtual Phone Banking Training (March 29th @2pm)
Join our Citizen Action Statewide Phone Banking Training this Sunday at 2pm. Learn how you can help Citizen Action reach out to persuadable voters asking them to be a voter for Jill Karofsky on Tuesday, April 7th! We will be discussing our implementation of the Race Class Narrative in our voter outreach and how to navigate our virtual phone dialer. Whether you are a virtual phone bank veteran, or this is your first time, our co-op organizers will be on hand to make sure all your questions are answered! Come to our training and get ready to elect Jill Karofsky to the Wisconsin Supreme Court on April 7th.
Please reserve your space today for our statewide training!
“Not Dying 4 Wall Street” Battleground Wisconsin Podcast
We discuss the latest COVID-19 pandemic news, including this week’s Congressional action. Is the $2 trillion relief package the biggest corporate giveaway in American history, or vital help for working Americans and small businesses in a time of dire need? We welcome Susannah Dyen from Caring Across Generations to talk about the Texas Lt. Governor’s comments that grandparents would be willing to die to preserve America’s economy. We close with the latest on the troubled April 7th spring election, including changes to election procedures imposed by a federal judge and growing opposition to holding this election during a state lockdown.
Listen Now – Episode #535
Download MP3
Press Clips
Citizen Action adapts to the new normal during COVID-19 Safer At Home.
Northwestern WI Co-op Hosts Virtual Town Hall with Sen. Jeff Smith and Rep. Jodi Emerson this week.
Citizen Action’s Northwestern WI Co-op held a Virtual Town Hall with State Senator Jeff Smith and Representative Jodi Emerson on Tuesday, March 24th. The two legislators talked about the state of healthcare in Wisconsin amid the COVID-19 pandemic as well as responded to Ron Johnson’s statements after voting “no” to the Families First Corona Virus Relief Bill. Other topics around Medicare expansion and Criminal Justice protocols during this time. There were 30 people in attendance via Zoom Meetings. Several engaging questions were asked and participants enjoyed having the opportunity to tele-connect with their representatives.
Thanks to all the members who joined and thanks to Rep. Emerson and Sen. Smith!
Driftless Co-op Virtual house meeting, Wednesday, April 1st, 2pm
On Wednesday April 1st Citizen Action of Wisconsin Driftless Co-op will be hosting a virtual house meeting via Zoom to discuss ways that our co-op can help people through these hard times. We need input from member leaders on ways our co-op can help our community deal with healthcare access, financial insecurity, and protect Wisconsin during the COVID19 outbreak.
We are looking for 10 devoted co-op members to join us, from home, on this call. Your input is valuable as we build strategies to help our communities during these times.
Call to action: Will you commit to join Citizen Action of Wisconsin Driftless Co-op for a one hour virtual house meeting on Wednesday April 1st from 2:00 to 3:00? You must RSVP to attend. Instructions on how to join will be sent when you RSVP.
Send an electronic postcard to Congress in support of Universal Family Care
UFC is a new social insurance program that would make early child care, paid leave, support for people with disabilities and elder care accessible and affordable for all. You can read more about it here.
We have an easy digital action for you to take. Fill out an electronic postcard to show your support for this idea! You can do so here.
If you send one, please let Karen, Co-Op Healthcare Organizer, know with an email with “healthy solidarity in UFC” in the subject line as she is trying to keep track. [email protected]
Can you sew? Will you consider joining an effort to make face masks to slow the spread of COVID19?
Governor Evers is calling on Wisconsinites to make 50,000 protective face masks. We are calling on anyone who can sew to help out.
Citizen Action of Wisconsin member Betty Ottesen, along with New Horizons Women’s Shelter, is leading a local effort to make masks. If you can donate time and energy to making masks you can help protect Wisconsin and slow the spread of COVID19.
If you are interested in helping please reach out to Betty at either 608-526-4227 or by email at [email protected]. Betty can supply you with patterns and even help you with the necessary elastics. She can also help you get those masks where they can do the most good. A video showing how easy masks are to make can be found here.
Call to Action: Will you commit to filling out your 2020 census and contacting 10 friends and helping walk them through the process.
The 2020 Census has started and it is still very important that you fill out your census. You should have received a letter in the mail from the census. Included is a personalized code and instructions how to go online and fill out the 2020 census. The 2020 census will help determine how federal funds are spent and how district maps are drawn for the next ten years!
Captain Census (see picture) says, “make sure that you and your loved ones are counted in 2020.”
Share Citizen Action of Wisconsin content across social media
Most of you are connected to hundreds of people across social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter. You can use that audience to create positive change. Please take a moment to follow the statewide Facebook and Twitter accounts and share the content to your friends.
Call to action: Follow Citizen Action of Wisconsin on Facebook and/or Twitter. Share content to your own personal feeds. As we rapidly move towards the April 7th election please share our content supporting Jill Karofsky for Supreme Court.
Wisconsin’s Race Class Narrative Project
Although the outcomes of the 2016 elections felt shocking to many people with the overt racism, sexism, and all the other “isms’ many of the candidate campaigns included, this is actually nothing new–dog whistle politics have been driving American political rhetoric for over 50 years.
The intent and effect of the dog whistle strategy is to divide people by race and class– even within race and class stratifications– in order to lower public support for collective public action, also known as government action. The conservative movement has mastered the use of coded language to animate racism and classism as political weapon. The 2016 presidential campaign of Donald Trump created a new evolution of the dog whistle strategy with the use of social media in new ways, but he was standing on the foundation built by the conservative party over several decades.
The Race Class Narrative Messaging Project is designed to foster and organize a multi-racial, progressive, populist, political governing coalition in our state that will unite all people across race and class that share our values and vision for a better Wisconsin. We have a vision of multi-racial democracy that realizes economic and racial justice for everyone.
Watch Video about the project
What the Race Class Narrative Project IS….
- It is a series of messaging frames that form a “messaging architecture” around progressive centric issues that affect all Wisconsinites and Americans on a broad scale; Education, Immigration, Racist policing and criminal justice reform, the Environment, Minimum Wage, and Healthcare. It is also a series of messaging tips and “tricks” that we can all use to frame and message our individual issue and policy campaigns, organizations, and work in general, and that candidates can also use to appeal to their base and draw in persuadables.
- It is both a shared branding campaign, AND a way of messaging our issues and work as individual entities. The shared brand is an image and/or slogan that any group or individual can use and put their own logo on it, as well as a set of messaging frames based in a common Wisconsin identity that we can all use to create content with. The shared brand will be based off of recommendations informed by the National RCN Research Team and collectively approved by in-state participating partners. The National RCN Research Team worked with more than 21 Wisconsin specific groups in addition to doing comprehensive research on what traits forms a collective Wisconsin identity, or what are the commonalities that most (not all) Wisconsinites can relate to or understand, like Friday fish frys, supper clubs, weird/extreme/rapidly changing weather, tailgating, casseroles, hard work for a decent days pay, digging your neighbor out of the snow etc. (*These are just examples, we don’t yet have the finalized research and recommendations around the shared brand).
- It is an open source project at the state and national level intended to unify us on the left, both around a shared analysis and worldview that includes Healthcare for all, family supporting wages and jobs, Immigrant and Racial justice, access to excellent and affordable (if not free) education, and a beautiful and healthy environment, among other things that we all need and deserve, no matter the color of our skin, if we are Indigenous or a new comer, or where we live in Wisconsin or America.
- It is potentially at least part of a solution to the problem of the leftist movement being divided, and our base being de-centered in dominant political theory and the persistent effectiveness of racialized, weaponized, dog whistle politics of our opposition. Race Class Narrative messaging re-centers those who share our values and vision for a better Wisconsin and America, and who are most drastically impacted by a scarcity of resources mentality and the lack of anti-racist policies and governing.
Whether you are Black, Brown, or white, and no matter where you live in Wisconsin, most of us on the progressive left want the same things– including a healthy and beautiful Wisconsin for future generations, access to quality education, economic security, and racial and Immigrant justice.
But today, certain politicians and greedy corporate lobbyists use race and class to divide us so that they can continue to profit and hold onto power at the same time as turning around and blaming poor people and People of Color for the lack of economic security and racial justice.
By joining together on the left and using Race Class Narrative messaging to shout down and drown out racist, fear mongering, hate speech, and dog whistling, we can mobilize our base and add to it, so that we can elect candidates and pass policies– that no matter what we look like or where in Wisconsin we live–we ALL benefit from– instead of benefiting power hoarding politicians and the wealthy few.
Help us reach out to persuadable voters with a Race Class Narrative Message asking them to be a voter for Jill Karofsky on Tuesday, April 7th!
We all want pretty similar things when it comes to our families. Whether white or Black, Asian or Latino, Indigenous or newcomer — Wisconsinites are hardworking people. Most of care deeply about making sure our public schools are well funded, that women have the choice to decide what happens to their bodies, and that we leave a healthy and beautiful Wisconsin behind for future generations.
But today, certain politicians work to divide and conquer us by rigging our voting maps to make sure that they stay in power. Instead of working to pass policies that benefit all of us, they work to keep the greedy lobbyists and special interests that foot the bill for their campaigns happy. But we don’t have to accept that. Wisconsin’s strength comes from our ability to come together toward a common purpose.
Jill Karofsky will bring fairness and balance to our State Supreme Court. Jill will work hard to make sure that our public schools are funded, that women have the choice to decide what happens to our bodies, and that we leave a healthy and beautiful Wisconsin behind for future Generations. Jill Karofsky will also work to ensure our voting maps are fair maps so that our leaders create and pass policies that benefit all of us, and not just the wealthy few.
When we come together and vote for leaders who will govern for all of us, not just the well connected wealthy few— we can start making improvements so that Wisconsin is a place where fairness, freedom, and prosperity is for everyone, no exceptions.
To sign up for a training and to help us make calls, contact you local Co-op Organizer:
Southeastern Wisconsin: Trevonna Simms
Northeastern Wisconsin: Noah Reif
Northcentral Wisconsin: Joel Lewis
Driftless: Ben Wilson
Northwestern Wisconsin: Breana Stanley
Healthcare Professional Social Media Action with our ally SEIU
Tell President Trump: More Masks Now! President Trump has the power to direct companies to re-purpose to produce masks and other personal protective equipment (PPE). We need to ensure that healthcare workers on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic have the equipment they need to protect themselves, their families, and their patients. Post a video of yourself on social media telling the President to act NOW!
Here is an Example. (You Can Do This Too!)
Here’s an example of a video short.
- Tag President Trump @realDonaldTrump, @POTUS;
- Use the hashtags #MoreMasksNow #ProtectAllWorkers #SEIUHCWI;
- Nominate five other workers to post their own video.
Video Campaign. Film in a well-lit, quiet space (in scrubs if healthcare worker). Videos should be under a minute and from the heart.
VIDEO SCRIPT:
- “I’m (first name) and I’m a (job title) from (hometown or state).
- Speak from the heart about whatever you are feeling about the lack of personal protective equipment and the potential effect on you, your family and, if you’re a healthcare worker, your patients.
- End with this question: President Trump, Where are our masks?
It’s better if you share your post with it set to the public setting for greater reach and then SEIU can find you. The above hashtags help them find you,so it’s really important to use them.
The public setting can be found by toggling this menu.
Selfie or Photo with #MoreMasksNow #ProtectAllWorkers
For a selfie photo, write out a sign in large clear handwriting that says: “I’m (first name), a (job title) in (hometown, state). President Trump, where’s my mask? #MoreMasksNow #ProtectAllWorkers!
Please visit our Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/SEIUHCWI/ or our website http://www.seiuhcwi.org/more-masks-now/
Facebook post of the week
