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Advocacy

ESTHER: Celebrating 20 Years!

Justice, Hope and Action


Events we're highlighting as part of our twentieth anniversary

Drive to Decarcerate - Caravans to Madison

Date: 
Thursday, June 18, 2020 - 12:00pm
Location: 
State Capitol and Governor’s Mansion, Madison, WI

We care about people in prison; Governor Evers should too!

Car with sign - "protest inmates and workers"Join WISDOM/EXPO & our network of affiliates across the state as we show Governor Evers that we CARE about people in prison & want him to care, too.

On Thursday, June 18, 2020, people who are TIRED of Governor Evers’ inaction/lack of concern regarding incarcerated people & COVID-19 will hit the highways & take our concerns to the Governor’s door in Madison!

(Register Now and we will contact you with exact times, locations and other important information about this action.) If you would like to join the caravan from the Fox Valley, please contact Cindy Carter at 920-903-6350.

Summer of Solidarity Training Session: Transportation

Posted in
Date: 
Saturday, July 11, 2020 - 10:00am - 12:00pm
Location: 
Zoom Webinar

These weekly Zoom meetings, sponsored by WISDOM and EXPO, cover community organizing approaches and social justice topics of concern in the state and region during the summer of 2020.

On July 11 the focus will be on how transportation and transit have such an impact on equity and justice. For one thing, mass transit is much easier on the environment than individual vehicles. With more and better transit options, we could reduce our carbon emissions significantly. A robust transportation system is also about inclusion – making sure that everyone has access to jobs, health care, recreation, worship, and all the other activities we all hope to return to soon!  

WISDOM Transit Task Force members, including several from ESTHER, will lead us as we talk about specific challenges we face in the state of Wisconsin and in our local communities. And, they will lead us to see that we CAN be part of the solution, creating a future beyond our excessive dependence on cars.

To register, click here: Summer of Solidarity July 11, Transportation

Tentative schedule of future topics:

  • July 18 – Housing for Women Returning from Incarceration
  • July 25 – Voting and Voting Rights
  • August 1 – Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women
  • August 8 – Crimeless Revocations
  • August 15 – Policing
  • August 22 – Environmental Justice

If you would like to participate in any of these, contact WISDOM (wisdomforjustice@gmail.com) for information about registering for the Zoom presentations.

Presentations are being recorded, and will be available at: https://www.rocwisconsin.org/summer-of-solidarity-training-series/

Learn to Write Your Legislator

Posted in
Date: 
Wednesday, July 29, 2020 - 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Location: 
Virtual Event

Learn to Write Your LegislatorAbout this event

You may be wondering how to get involved and advocate for progressive issues from home. One of the most impactful actions you can take is to contact your representatives directly about issues you care about.

Join us to learn tips, tricks, and best practices for writing emails that inspire action.

Presented by ESTHER and nextgen Wisconsin.

Signup for virtual meeting link at: nxtgn.us/write

Summer of Solidarity Training Session: Voting and Voting Rights

Posted in
Date: 
Saturday, July 25, 2020 - 10:00am - 12:00pm
Location: 
Zoom Webinar

These are weekly Zoom meetings sponsored by WISDOM and EXPO covering community organizing approaches and social justice topics of concern in the state and region during the summer of 2020. This Saturday, the topic is Voting and Voting Rights.

The sad loss of the great Congressman John Lewis reminds us that the fight for every American to be able to vote has been going on for a long time!  This Saturday, you can learn how WISDOM and EXPO continue that tradition with the “Unlock the Vote” Campaign.  You will also learn what everyone in Wisconsin can do to ensure that each vote in our very important state is counted in November.

Click here to register:  https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYpc-6rpjIqHN0AnOzifNm5ty46NCj60gS2 
As soon as you register, you'll be emailed a link you can use on Saturday morning.

Tentative schedule of future topics:

  • August 1 – Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women
  • August 8 – Crimeless Revocations
  • August 15 – Policing
  • August 22 – Environmental Justice

If you would like to participate, contact WISDOM (wisdomforjustice@gmail.com) for information about registering for the Zoom presentation.

Presentations are being recorded, and will be available at: https://www.rocwisconsin.org/summer-of-solidarity-training-series/

Call to Action: Gov. Evers and Wisconsin Prison Population

WISDOM

Recently, Gov. Tony Evers offered a powerful statement about how we should respond to the Black Lives Matter movement.  He said, “We must offer our compassion, we must offer our support, most of all we must offer our action.”  Now, we are asking you to contact Governor Evers to urge him to take his own advice. It is time for him to take action to reduce the prison population during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Communicate with Governor Evers to express your concern and to urge him to act!

Call his office, 608-266-1212
Email him at govinfo@wisconsin.gov

Partisan Gerrymandering presentation by Bill Whitford

Posted in
Date: 
Wednesday, September 16, 2020 - 5:00pm - 6:15pm
Location: 
Virtual Presentation

Partisan Gerrymandering:

How It’s Done, Its Consequences, and What We Can Do About It

UWGB logoBill WhitfordOn Constitution Day, the Democracy and Justice Studies program of UW-Green Bay invites us to attend this talk by Professor Bill Whitford.

The framers of the U.S. Constitution envisioned a political system that would fairly represent “We the People” – but just how fairly are people represented in today’s American democracy? In his talk, Professor Whitford will introduce attendees to one of the greatest contemporary challenges in Wisconsin and the United States: partisan gerrymandering. What does it mean for American democracy if political parties can easily draw electoral districts to their own favor?

Pack the Polls Car Parade

Posted in
Date: 
Saturday, October 24, 2020 - 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Location: 
Appleton East High School Parking Lotl, 2121 E Emmers Dr, Appleton

Let’s Join Together to PACK THE POLLS!

Appleton will join with a growing list of other Wisconsin cities on Saturday, October 24, National Vote Early Day, to demonstrate our support for the most basic exercise of democracy: voting. The League of Women Voters of Appleton is coordinating our local event, a car parade, which will be strictly non-partisan in keeping with the League’s core mission: Empowering votersDefending democracy.

Participants will be asked to decorate their cars with signs that encourage voting and promote issues but NOT candidates or political parties. (We encourage covering partisan bumper stickers.) We want to promote unity in our community by bringing together a broad spectrum of local civic organizations. We also want to ensure the safety of all participants by designing this a contactless event. Everyone will be encouraged to stay safely inside a vehicle, but should also have a mask and observe social distancing guidelines.

Read more about the event, including parade route and suggested messages for signs, in the Appleton LWV’s press release (attached). Help spread the word by downloading and sharing.

Vigil regarding COVID-19 in Wisconsin Prisons

WISDOM

Demonstrators at the Governors Mansion in MadisonOn October 19, WISDOM members (including several from ESTHER), led by EXPO (EX-incarcerated People Organizing) and SIP (Supporters of Incarcerated People) started a vigil outside the Governor's mansion.  The purpose of the vigil is to challenge the Governor to seriously address the issue of COVID-19 in Wisconsin’s prisons. The group is calling on the Governor to hold a press conference to specifically address this issue, which directly impacts more than 30,000 Wisconsinites who live and work in the state’s prisons.

We hope he acts soon, but we want to be prepared for the long haul. Read more to find out what you can do to keep this issue high on the Governor’s agenda.

Tying Criminal Justice Reform in WI to Our November Elections

Date: 
Saturday, November 7, 2020 - 9:30am
Location: 
Zoom Meeting

Criminal Justice Reform & Government Budgets

Moderator: Peggy West-Schroder, EXPO Program Director

Please register in advance for this Zoom presentation:

Register Now

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Autumn of Action EXPO WISDOM clenched fist rising out of a firePart of the “Autumn of Action” series coordinated by WISDOM, this presentation is sponsored by WISDOM/EXPO

Governor’s Budget Listening Session

Posted in
Date: 
Wednesday, December 2, 2020 - 6:00pm
Location: 
Zoom Meeting

Budget Listening Session on Environment, Infrastructure and the Economy

Governor Evers is holding virtual listening sessions as he prepares his 2021-23 State Budget proposal.  Wisconsinites are encouraged to offer their thoughts and recommendations for the Governor to consider. Find more information on these listening session here.

The deadline for registration to participate in this session is past, but you can watch the live-stream on Wis-Eye here.

You can also submit written comments or suggestions here.

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