Citizen Action Weekly: Friday, October 11th
Friday, October 11th
Northeast Wisconsin Co-op: Message from your New Organizer
My name is Noah Reif, and I am your new Citizen Action co-op organizer in Northeast Wisconsin. I am very excited to get to work on the issues that matter to our community like Healthcare for All, a Green New Deal, and fighting back against systemic oppression felt by our communities of color and the LGBTQ+ community!
In 2016, I ran for State Assembly in the 88th District in Brown County. Since then, I have worked for organizations to advance the progressive movement throughout the state of Wisconsin. The opportunity to support the great work of our co-op is a dream of mine, and I am looking forward to building on the phenomenal work you have already accomplished.
There will be more updates to come in the following weeks as we lay the groundwork for our co-op in 2020 and beyond! If you would like to schedule a 1:1 in-person or over the phone, please contact me at [email protected] so we can set up a time to talk about our co-op.
Northwestern WI Co-op Hosts Fight For Affordable Housing
The Northwestern WI Co-op hosted a “Fight For Affordable Housing” last Saturday, October 5th to discuss the housing crisis in Eau Claire County and what finding a solution entails. Over 15 members and key stakeholders were present at this roundtable discussion.
Health Care for All Co-Op members urge Rep. Sensenbrenner to support lower prescription drug prices
Citizen Action members and constituents of Representative Jim Sensenbrenner held a gathering outside his office on Thursday to support lower prescription drug prices. They want Congress to put people over pharma profits. They urged Sensenbrenner to make reform of the profit-driven pharmaceutical industry part of his legacy, starting with support of H.R. 3, a bill in Congress to force drug companies to 
negotiate their prices with the government. A few constituents, including Health Care for All Organizer Karen Kirsch and member Lynn Carey, also hand-delivered letters to the Congressman’s office. Lynn wore a price tag around her neck which showed that without support from Medicare, her prescription drugs would cost over $20,000/year. That is unacceptable! To learn more about our Lower Drug Prices Now campaign, check out our blog post from earlier in September.
North Central Organizing Co-op member, and community leader has helped to organize a Pow Wow
Community leader, and Co-op member Tricia Zunker, has worked tirelessly with community partners and tribal entities to organize Wausau’s first Pow Wow in the Wausau area since 2007! Prior to 2007, the Wausau area hadn’t had a Pow Wow regularly for a decade. It is very exciting to have this event back in our area.
We strongly encourage folks to attend. It is free to the public, and you can go on either Saturday or Sunday. You can see some media about the event here.
The event comes on the heels of Governor Evers and Lt. Governor Mandela Barnes signing Executive Order #50, declaring the second Monday in October as Indigenous Peoples’ Day in Wisconsin. Tricia has worked very hard to get resolutions passed all across the State making the same declaration. And these efforts started here in Wausau, where she serves as the Wausau School Board President. Hope to see you at the Pow Wow.
Driftless co-op recruitment drive update
Last week marked the official launch of the Driftless region co-op and the start of our first recruitment drive in Southwest Wisconsin. We are happy to announce that we have built huge momentum already. 86 people have pleaded to join the organizing co-op! We have four small group recruitment events scheduled and six organization presentations on the calendar!
In order to build our power and create real change we need to activate as many progressives as possible. If you know anyone in southwest Wisconsin please ask them to reach out to Ben Wilson at [email protected] right away. If you are in the Driftless region and you want to help host a recruitment event contact Ben right away!
Impeachment or Not?: A Debate
Join Grassroots Northshoore, Grassroots Southshore, and Citizen Action of WI for a debate of one of the most important current issues facing us, the impeachment of President Trump.
Kathleen Dunn will be moderating the debate with Citizen Action’s Robert Kraig (For) and Dr. Sheldon Wasserman (Against) taking opposing points.
RSVP via facebook
Citizen Action Cooperative Members Set To Vote in People’s Action Presidential Primary Candidate Survey Starting Next Week.
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.
We believe elections should revolve around everyday people, not candidates. Elections also need to be centered on our issues and our long term Platform.
That’s why we decided to switch things up for 2020. We’re bringing leading Presidential contenders to early primary states for Q&A forums — and real grassroots leaders are running the show.
We already complete the first forum in Des Moines, Iowa in September. Nearly 50 Citizen Action members attended the forum and 3 member asked questions of the Presidential candidates.
We encourage our members to watch the Iowa forum!
Watch the next forum
Saturday, October 26th
Las Vegas, Nevada
1:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Sign up to watch via live stream
Citizen Action is surveying its organizing cooperative members on their attitudes in the Democratic presidential primary election. We are encouraging all members to VOTE in the survey.
The survey will be open starting next week for members to vote between Friday, October 18th – Sunday, November 3rd. A link to the member survey will be in next week’s Citizen Action Weekly
For more information contact [email protected]
“King Vos grabs more power & uses Rep. Jimmy Anderson as his pawn” Battleground Wisconsin Podcast
We discuss the latest power grab by Speaker Vos which would allow an unlimited number of veto override votes in the Assembly. Even more shameful is Vos’ petty maneuver to pair the motion with an unrelated disability accommodation that will allow Rep. Jimmy Anderson to participate in Assembly business. In a positive development, Governor Evers signed an Executive Order this week declaring Indigenous Peoples’ Day in Wisconsin. Next, we review a very bad week for Sen. Ron Johnson who ineptly attempted to walk back his damning comments about Trump’s actions in Ukraine, making himself a national spectacle. Also, Trump’s trade war sends American manufacturing into a recession, Milwaukee residents demand answers about police cooperation with ICE, and prescription drug actions target Rep. Sensenbrenner.
LISTEN to Podcast
Watch video of ICE and the Milwaukee Police collaborating on an ICE detention of Jose (Alex) De La Cruz while he was taking his children to school.
Donate to help De La Cruz family whose father detained by ICE.
Facebook post of the week
