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Statement on Xenophobia, Racism, and Anti-Asian Violence

The Appleton, WI, Common Council hesitated this past Wednesday (April 21) when asked to pass a resolution condemning xenophobia, racism and anti-Asian violence and encouraging Appleton to become a more welcoming, inclusive community. ESTHER president Gary Crevier has issued this statement in response. For more background, please see this article from the Appleton Post-Crescent, published the day after the Council’s deliberations and decision. Click Read More below for the full text of the proposed resolution.

Dear ESTHER Folks,

As ESTHER president I spoke to Appleton’s common council this past week to support the resolution condemning xenophobia specifically related to our Asian & Pacific Islander community. We as ESTHER stand in solidarity with this beloved community. We are collectively disappointed in the Appleton Common Council’s action to push back the resolution to condemn xenophobia, racism, anti-Asian violence, and we are disturbed by their desire to change the AAPI narrative and lived experiences.

Thank you to Council Member Maiyoua Thao and all the sponsors of this resolution. We stand with you in calling out xenophobia, racism, sexism, and all forms of hate. We hope this resolution is not gutted from its original intent and that when it comes back to Council, the City will make a stand to support the AAPI community fully.

In these times of crisis, let’s come together and build strong communities of trust, where we all feel safe, where all workers are treated with dignity and respect, where all children feel comfortable going to school, where our elders are not shrouded in fear, and where all our loved ones have the freedom to thrive.

Please contact your Common Council representative to share your thoughts on this issue.

Gary Crevier

S/ Gary Crevier

ESTHER President

“What Happens When Your Government Stops Listening?” - Film and Webinar

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Date: 
Thursday, April 29, 2021 - 6:30pm
Location: 
Zoom Webinar

Can You Hear Us Now? film posterThe League of Women Voters of Appleton is proud to host a special screening of Can You Hear Us Now?, a new film that shows the personal impact of gerrymandering in the state of Wisconsin.

Viewers can watch the film anytime from April 25 - 29, then join a live community discussion about what’s happening to improve the nonpartisan redistricting process and obtain fair maps in Wisconsin.

Register for both the film screening and Zoom Webinar Here.

The Zoom Webinar link will be sent on April 29


John Lewis Voter Advancement Day Votercade

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Date: 
Saturday, May 8, 2021 - 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Location: 
Appleton East High School Parking Lot, 2121 E Emmers Dr, Appleton

On May 8th, let’s make some Good Trouble

Hands Off Our Vote!

Defeat Voter Suppression

Save the Date John Lewis Voter MobilizationThe League of Women Voters of Appleton invites you to join them in their John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Action Day “Votercade” on Saturday, May 8 at 1pm! This event is one of over 100 events across the nation to pass the For the People Act (H.R. 1), the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act (H.R. 4), D.C. Statehood and address the filibuster to do so.

The Appleton Votercade will be following Covid-19 pandemic precautions (outdoors, no close contact, masks) and assemble at Appleton East High School on Saturday, May 8 at 1pm.

Participants should have their cars decorated with signs, placards, streamers, etc. Some signage will be available during assembly. The Votercade will begin at 2 pm and follow a designed route through Appleton, following all traffic rules and speed limits and return to the high school. The event will end around 3:00 pm.

The parade will be strictly nonpartisan in keeping with the League’s nonpartisan status and core mission of “empowering voters and defending democracy.”

Fox Valley Climate Justice Rally

Date: 
Saturday, April 24, 2021 - 12:00pm - 2:00pm
Location: 
Houdini Plaza, 111 W College Ave, Appleton

Join ESTHER and other local and statewide climate advocacy groups for a Climate Justice Rally in Appleton on Saturday, April 24th!

From noon to 2 p.m., we’ll be gathering on Houdini Plaza to demand climate justice and a sustainable future! We are calling on elected officials at all levels of government to address the climate crisis with the urgency demanded by science, while creating good jobs and ensuring everyone has clean air, clean water, and a healthy environment.

Register Now

For more information, see the event Facebook Page.

Rally: Citizenship for Essential Workers and Families

Date: 
Sunday, April 18, 2021 - 3:00pm
Location: 
Brown County Court House, 100 S Jefferson St, Green Bay

Join Voces de la Frontera Essential Workers Rights Network in Green Bay for a press conference and rally to demand citizenship for all in the forthcoming COVID-19 reconciliation budget bill! Now is the time to make noise and demand that our congressional representatibes vote to legalize essential workers - because they are essential, not deportable.

This event is part of a statewide caravan and relay across America demanding to a stop to deportations, COVID recovery for all, and citizenship for all.

Sponsored by Casa Esther, ESTHER and Voces de la Frontera Action.

Download and share the attached flier.

Call for Letters to Wisconsin Legislators

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Let Your Voice Be HeardCapitol Dome

Write Your Wisconsin Legislators
About the State Budget

As part of the run-up to Madison Action Day on April 15, the WISDOM network is calling for a flood of letters about the 2021-2023 Wisconsin State Budget, to be delivered in advance to legislators’ offices.

If you can’t participate in Madison Action Day this year, writing letters to your state Senator and Assembly Representative is a good way to support the same goals.

If you will be participating, please consider writing letters as well – to let your voice be heard.

Letters are due to ESTHER by April 3, to allow enough time for handling and delivery. If you think your letters will not arrive to the ESTHER office by April 3, you can send your letters to the WISDOM office by April 9: WISDOM, 2821 N. Vel Phillips Ave., #217, Milwaukee, WI  53212. See sample letter for additional instructions.

For more information about the campaign and a sample letter, see the attached flier, or visit the ESTHER website.

Why Social Justice Work?

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ESTHER BlogThe question was asked of me, “Why do I involve myself doing justice work?” I think the beginning of my addressing systemic causes of injustices began when I found ESTHER – or was it ESTHER finding me? Even before ESTHER, values that formed me within led to my belief that my dignity can never be fully realized until the dignity of all including creation is respected and honored as well. Where did that come from? I wonder if it was not so much anything that I was taught but rather something that I caught.

Madison Action Day 2021 - Let Your Voice Be Heard!

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Date: 
Thursday, April 15, 2021 - 10:00am - 3:00pm
Location: 
Zoom Meeting

LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD - April 15, 2021

More than 60 people from ESTHER will be participating in this year’s Madison Action Day. If you missed the registration deadline, you can still view the morning plenary session streaming live on WISDOM's Facebook page: facebook.com/wisdomwisconsin

The plenary session, to be held from 10 am to 12 noon, will be moderated by Joy Cardin (formerly of Wisconsin Public Radio).  It will include information, inspiration and interaction – a chance to think and talk with other ESTHER and WISDOM members about values and goals.

A book has been compiled covering the themes for the day, has been prepared. You can download your copy here or through the ‘Attachments’ link below.

In the afternoon, participants will meet with their state Senators and Assembly Representatives, or their representatives. 

Registrations closed at the end of the day Tuesday, April 13.

Guns, Democracy, and the Insurrectionist Idea: Unpacking the Chaos at the Capitol

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Date: 
Tuesday, February 23, 2021 - 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Location: 
Zoom

WAVE - Wisconsin Anti Violence EffortThe WAVE (Wisconsin Anti Violence Effort) Action Team is hosting Joshua Horwitz, J.D., Executive Director of the Educational Fund to Stop Gun Violence, in a Zoom presentation connecting gun violence to the January attack on the U.S. Capitol.

Guns, Democracy, and the Insurrectionist Idea book coverIn the wake of that attack and the ongoing threat from insurrectionists, Josh will explain the connections between the gun lobby and the insurrectionist idea—a topic he has been exploring since co-authoring the 2009 book Guns, Democracy and the Insurrectionist Idea.

Over the past few days, the impeachment trial has brought those harrowing scenes from the Capitol before us again, leaving us wondering, “How did this happen? How can we make sure it never happens again?” Join us for this important discussion.

What: Guns, Democracy, and the Insurrectionist Idea: Unpacking the Chaos at the Capitol
When: Tuesday, February 23, 2021, at 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm CST
Where: Zoom (Sign up, and we'll send you the login information the day of the presentation.)

What’s In the Governor’s Budget? - WISDOM Network School of Democracy

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WISDOM School of Democracy: Because Information is PowerThe next session in the WISDOM School of Democracy is entitled “What's In the Governors’ Budget? A Review of WISDOM’s Priorities.”  The presentation will cover all the areas in the Governor’s budget that correspond with issues of concern to the WISDOM network. (Review WISDOM’s budget positions here.)

Saturday, February 20
9:00 am 

Click here to register:  Feb 20 State Budget Webinar 9 am
You will get an email with a link to join the Webinar on Saturday.

The webinar will identify and discuss …

  • things proposed by the Governor that match WISDOM’s priorities and need to be supported.
  • things that are missing and need to be added by the legislature.
  • things that shouldn’t be included and need to be taken out by the legislature.

This webinar is a part of the WISDOM network’s multi-part School of Democracy, to prepare network leaders to work for the inclusion of progressive values in Wisconsin’s 2021-2023 Biennial Budget. (ESTHER is a member of the WISDOM network.)

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