Citizen Action Weekly: Friday, April 23rd
Friday, April 23rd
Citizen Action Praises Chauvin Guilty Verdict: Calls for Transformational Reform of the Entire System
Citizen Action of Wisconsin praises this week’s the murder conviction of George Floyd’s killer, former Minneapolis Police officer Derrick Chauvin, and calls for the structural reforms needed to end the police assault on Black lives.
“This murder conviction is a step forward and a great relief to everyone who cares about true human equality, but it must only be a start, not an exoneration of the system that made it possible,” said Robert Kraig, Executive Director of Citizen Action of Wisconsin. “The downside is that the verdict required singling out one police officer while giving cover to the police department in Minneapolis (and others around the country) for the responsibility of a structurally racist system that does not truly respect Black life. The only real solution is an unwinding of the current systems of policing and mass incarceration and its replacement with a new balanced system that truly promotes community safety for everyone in America.”
“The truth is, without the over policing of Black and Brown communities, the over funding of police departments compared to nonviolent interventions, and the social and economic investments needed in low-income and marginalized communities, George Floyd would not have had to fight for his life after being accused of a petty crime. This verdict does not change what we know to be true: the deadly official violence aimed at Black people in America will not end until we uproot the whole system, root and branch, and replace it with a system that equally values all human lives, especially Black lives and the many others that are devalued by our out of control system of policing and mass incarceration.”
The whole Citizen Action of Wisconsin team supports and fights alongside George Floyd’s family and the people demanding justice and accountability. But we also know that Justice is not just Chauvin’s conviction. Justice would be George Floyd being alive.
We came together Statewide to launch a Climate week of Action, we are incredibly grateful to all of our members, staff and community for supporting us in the fight to secure a more equitable and green Wisconsin! On Thursday, April 22nd, we were joined by the Lt. Governor Mandela Barnes, State Treasurer Sarah Godlewski, Rep. Supreme Moore Omokunde, La Crosse Mayor Mitch Reynolds and People’s Action lead climate organizer Ben Ishibashi to discuss the importance of demanding climate action NOW! A big thank you to everyone who made this event possible and joined us at various events throughout the week!
Citizen Action supports the introduction of the Civilian Climate Corps.
Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14) introduced the Civilian Climate Corps for Jobs and Justice Act, which establishes a Civilian Climate Corps (CCC) administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service within AmeriCorps. This legislation updates, modernizes, and expands the concept of the New Deal-era Civilian Conservation Corps: ensuring that all Americans who want to participate may do so, regardless of race, age, or gender; broadening the range of eligible projects; providing 21st century health and education benefits; deepening partnerships with unions; and preserving Tribal sovereignty.
A diverse and equitable group of 1.5 million Americans over five years will complete federally-funded projects that help communities respond to climate change and transition to a clean economy. Civilian Climate Corps work will reduce carbon emissions, enable a transition to renewable energy, build healthier and more resilient communities, implement conservation projects with proven climate benefits, and help communities recover from climate disasters.
“The Civilian Climate Corps updates one of the New Deal’s most successful programs to jump start a climate transition and dramatically improve economic opportunity and racial equity. The CCC is exactly the kind of bold and innovate program we need to both address the climate crisis and create badly needed good union jobs for everyone in the U.S. that wants to be part of the emerging green economy.” — Robert Kraig, Executive Director of Citizen Action of Wisconsin.
CONTACT your member of Congress in support of the CCC and the Green New Deal.
Lt. Governor Barnes and Green Bay Leaders join Citizen Action in Green Bay
Elected officials and Green Bay community leaders joined with Citizen Action to call on all Levels of Government to meet the looming climate catastrophe with the urgency required. Among the speakers were Lt. Governor Barnes, Representative Kristina Shelton, Mayor Eric Genrich, and Green Bay Sustainability Commision Chair Seth Hoffmeister.
“Wisconsin is poised to become a leader in the fight for Climate Justice and create communities that ensure that our transition to clean and renewable energy is just and equitable for all.” said Noah Reif, organizer for the Northeast Wisconsin Co-Op. “Governor Ever’s proposed budget prioritizes funding Local Climate Action Plans so all communities in Wisconsin can do their part. Local Climate Action Plans provide cities like Green Bay a road map to meeting the ambitious goals set out before us.
You can watch the full press conference here.
Our Northeast Co-op Stands in Solidarity with Justice for Jonathon
On Sunday, April 18th, Co-op members spoke and stood in Solidarity with a multi-racial and multi-generational coalition of leaders demanding an end to racial violence. This Rally and March was led by Justice for Jonathon Tubby and the coalition is building local power to stand up against institutional white supremacy.
Jonathon was 26 when in 2018, he was unarmed and cuffed when he was killed by Green Bay Police. Our co-op affirms that Black Lives Matter, that Native Lives Matter, that No one is Illegal on Stolen Land, and that we must Stop Asian Hate.
If you wish to support the family and their ongoing fight for justice, please Donate here.
Read about the rally here.
Watch the rally here.
Citizen Action Driftless Organizing Cooperative holds 420 media event with allies to support cannabis reform in the state budget
Tuesday, April 20th, Citizen Action of Wisconsin, Leaders Igniting Transformation, and Tree Huggers Co-op, held a news conference in support of legalization of Cannabis, an issue currently being debated in the state budget process. The event put a special focus on the positive impact for small farmers and rural communities in the region.
All Wisconsinites should have the freedom to have thriving, safe communities but are currently suffering economically, medically, and through racial and social injustice. All while our small farms are disappearing. 
Huge strides can be made in all of these areas by supporting the governor’s proposal to legalize and tax medicinal and recreational cannabis in Wisconsin. That is why Citizen Action of Wisconsin, Leaders Igniting Transformation, and Tree Huggers Co-op are gathering for a news event on April 20th to support the legalization provisions contained in the governor’s 2021-2022 state budget.
Read and watch media covering the event
TAKE ACTION to support legalization of marajuana in the state budget
Citizen Action North Central Organizing Cooperative holds media conference on climate.
Members and leaders of Citizen Action of Wisconsin North Central Organizing Cooperative held a media conference to call on the Joint Finance Committee to approve funding in the Governor’s proposed budget that responds to the threat of climate change and also improves economic opportunity and equity, especially for people who lack access to good jobs.
Provisions of Governor Evers’ proposed state budget, such as resources for local communities to do climate action planning and on-bill financing to make residential energy improvements accessible to everyone, will fight climate change, create clean, good paying jobs, and allow Wisconsinites and local communities to save money on their energy bills.
Speakers also focused on the opportunities ahead for climate action in our local municipalities, like Wausau, and why support for local communities is vitally needed in the 2021-2022 state budget. Speakers at the event included; Rep. Katrina Shankland (D – AD 71), Hans Breitenmoser, Lincoln County Board Supervisor, Tom Kilian, Wausau City Alder Dan Barth, Climate Leader. Watch media event.
Close out our Climate Week of Action with a Virtual Panel!
Join the Citizen Action SEWI Organizing Co-Op to learn about the work climate leaders are doing on the ground around environmental justice! We will be joined by Marco Marquez with Alliance for Climate Education, Ricky Diaz with BlueGreen Alliance, Lucero Serna at Urban Ecology Center and Alejandra Hernandez a Conservation Policy Associate at Michael Fields Agricultural Institute.
RSVP HERE!
Earth Day Event in the North Central Region, Saturday, April 24, 10am
The Citizen Action of Wisconsin North Central Organizing Co-op is joining 14 other groups to plant 15 trees in observance of Earth Day, on Saturday, April 24th at 10 am.
There will be a virtual Earth Day panel to follow. If you don’t like Zoom, you can join by phone at 1-929-205-6099 [Meeting ID: 902-485-9538] Password will be asked for, it is 123
The Earth Day panel and tree plantings are sponsored by Citizens Climate Lobby (CCL) – Rib Mountain Chapter and Northern Area congregations Organized to Make an Impact (NAOMI).
Topic: What are the steps we can take toward creating MLK’s vision of a Beloved Community here in Wausau, with special consideration (but not limited to) caring for the Earth. Keynote speaker, Alder Tom Kilian, speaking on environmental justice.
When/Where: April 24, 2 PM by Zoom or Phone
Tree planting 10 am, Fern Island, Wausau, WI
Milwaukee Alderwoman JoCasta Zamarripa thanks Citizen Action on Earth Day.
Happy Earth Day to my constituents and all of the people of the City of Milwaukee and the great state of Wisconsin! Earth Day 2021 marks the 51st anniversary of this holiday. Every year a theme is chosen for the day and this year’s theme is: “Restore our Earth.”
As Google says, so aptly:
“This Earth Day—and everyday—we encourage everyone to find one small act they can do to restore our Earth. It’s bound to take root and blossom into something beautiful.”
And so today I would like to pay homage to the work of Citizen Action of Wisconsin. Citizen Action of Wisconsin is an issue-focused coalition of individuals and organizations committed to achieving social, racial, economic and environmental justice.
In 2019, Citizen Action of Wisconsin led the effort to create the first ever City/County Task Force on Climate and Economic Equity in Milwaukee with the help and guidance of Alderman Ashanti Hamilton.
Under the leadership of Executive Director Dr. Robert Kraig and Climate & Equity Director Rafael Smith, goals have been set to reduce Milwaukee’s net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 45% by 2030 and reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
This, while at the same time, also ensuring that the task force will be addressing racial and economic inequity through the creation of “green” jobs in the most diverse city and county in the state.
So I encourage constituents to get involved with this organization. This week Citizen Action is celebrating Earth Day 2021 with “Climate Action Week.” You can look at a menu of events and actions you can be a part of by clicking here
And again, happy Earth Day 2021 to all!
Join us Monday, at 1:30pm, for a Capital news event to promote the Protect the Right to Organize (PRO) Act.
The Wisconsin AFL-CIO and Citizen Action of Wisconsin are partnering on a news event at the State Capitol next Monday, 1:30pm, to call attention to one of the most transformative pieces of legislation to pass the U.S. House of Representatives in decades. The event will include leading state legislators to discuss the critical importance of the bill for economic opportunity and prosperity in Wisconsin.
The Protect the Right to Organize (PRO) Act, now pending before the U.S Senate and strongly supported by President Joseph Biden, is one of the most impactful pieces of progressive legislation in decades to have a realistic chance of passage. It will do much to reverse the anti-worker actions of former Governor Scott Walker for private sector workers.
The PRO Act is more than labor law reform, it’s civil rights legislation to close racial and gender wage gaps, and to ensure dignity and due process for workers, regardless of where we were born, who we are or what type of work we do. The PRO Act is important for all workers, especially those who have been marginalized. It will increase protections for women, people of color, immigrants and the LGBTQ community by giving workers new tools to address injustices and win a fair wage.
A Joint Resolution is being circulated in the State Legislature expressing support for the PRO Act. U.S Senator Tammy Baldwin is a cosponsor of the Senate bill.
What: Capital News Event to Promote Protect the Right to Organize (PRO) Act
When: Monday April 26, 2021 1:30 PM
Where: State Capitol, State Street Steps
Who:
- Stephanie Bloomingdale, President, Wisconsin AFL-CIO
- Robert Kraig, Executive Director, Citizen Action of Wisconsin
- Senator Bob Wirch, Ranking Democrat, Senate Committee on Labor & Regulator Reform
- Representative Chris Sinicki, Ranking Democrat, Assembly Committee on Labor & Integrated Employment
Citizen Action’s Robert Kraig discussed the Derrick Chauven verdict just before the decision was announced on the Jeff Santos Show and the Pacifica Radio Network hours after the decision. The Oshkosh Advance-Titan covered Citizen Action’s response to the guilty verdict. For more discussion listen to this week’s Battleground Wisconsin (below). Citizen Action’s Northeast Co-op also got coverage on the police killing of Jonathan Tubby.
An event to promote Governor Evers’ proposal to legalize marijuana that we did in coalition with allies got good media coverage in La Crosse on both TV and in the daily newspaper.
Citizen Action’s Robert Kraig discussed the new FoxConn deal, which is only better compared to the old one negotiated by Scott Walker, on the Rick Smith Radio Show. For more coverage of Foxconn listen to this week’s Battleground Wisconsin (below) .
Citizen Action supported Senator Tammy Baldwin’s new bill to lower the Medicare eligibility age to 50, and we got coverage in the Northwoods.
“A verdict on America” Battleground Wisconsin Wisconsin
We welcome JoAnna Bautch, Citizen Action Movement Politics Director, as a guest panelist. The panel responds to the guilty verdict in the Derrick Chauvin trial and puts it in perspective. We discuss the police reform recommendations from Wisconsin’s Legislative racial disparities task force which was set up by House Speaker Robin Vos to avoid taking meaningful action. The Fox con continues, with a scaled back version that is still a terrible deal for Wisconsin. Switching to the national scene, we have a great conversation on the growing bipartisan anti-China politicization in American politics with Tobita Chow, the Director of People’s Action’s Justice is Global project. We also review Citizen Action’s Climate Equity Week of Action, putting a focus on major Green New Deal opportunities at the federal, state and local level.
LISTEN now!
Facebook post of the week
