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Our next meeting/program is June 8th from 7-8:30 pm, and we are hosting a free.panel discussion for closing down the notorious Milwaukee Security Detention Facility. (click the button)
Visit RID’s Facebook Community Calendar to keep up to date on racial justice-related events
We’re happy to report that we are now following and posting events, programs and news from more than 100 community racial justice-related organizations and sources. To receive timely updates about important activities in the greater Milwaukee area, be sure to visit our RID Facebook Community Calendar here and/or the Facebook portal on our RID website here.
Although we try to include several of these events in our monthly e-newsletter, there are many more events on the RID Facebook Calendar. Be sure to “like” our RID Facebook page so that you can receive these posts automatically. If you have an event you would like to add to our calendar, please click here. Also, if you know of other Facebook pages or websites worth following, please let us know by sending a note to us at ridracism@gmail.org. Thanks so much!
Jaime Alvarado and Pat Katisch
Co-chairs, Rid Racism Milwaukee
Ex-Prisoners Organizing (EXPO) panel to discuss closing MSDF at June 8 RID program
Members of EXPO (Ex-prisoners Organizing) will present a free panel discussion sponsored by Rid Racism Milwaukee on Thursday, June 8 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Nonprofit Center of Milwaukee, 2819 W. Highland Boulevard. EXPO is a project of WISDOM, a statewide organization that links faith communities to work for justice. Due to limited space, registration is required and can be processed by clicking here..
The EXPO panelists, who have all been incarcerated at Milwaukee Secure Detention Facility (MSDF) and are now important community leaders, will speak about what MSDF is and why it should be closed. Topics of discussion will include the inhumane conditions in MSDF, racial disparities in incarceration at this facility, and alternatives to incarcerating people at MSDF. EXPO of Wisconsin Assistant State Director Mark Rice will do the introduction for the event. EXPO of Milwaukee Leaders Ventae Parrow, Yolanda Perkins, Alan Schultz, and Shirley Moffett will be on the panel.
The state of Wisconsin built MSDF in 2001 to house people who have allegedly violated rules of probation, parole, or extended supervision. Wisconsin continues to use this facility to unnecessarily incarcerate thousands of people who have not been convicted of crimes in inhumane conditions.
James Wilborn, who was an EXPO leader, died in MSDF in 2015. The extreme heat at this facility was a factor in his death, as was his inability to obtain medications that he needed there. Several other people have died in MSDF because their psychiatric or medical conditions were improperly monitored or left untreated. Problems facing people at this facility include being locked down 21 hours a day, extreme heat, poor ventilation, no in-person visits, no access to sunlight, no outdoor recreation, and other abuses.
EXPO emerged in 2014 when formerly incarcerated people from around Wisconsin began to gather to discuss what it would look like to have our own statewide organization. Previously imprisoned women and men lead EXPO. Our members provide support to each other and organize to transform Wisconsin’s unjust penal system. We receive support from family members of currently and formerly incarcerated people and allies who have not experienced incarceration. EXPO has active chapters in Milwaukee, Madison, Eau Claire, Green Bay, the Fox Cities, and Superior and we are developing chapters in Racine, Kenosha, Beloit, Waukesha County, and Wausau.
EXPO launches “Close MSDF” campaign with program/march June 29
EXPO (Ex-Prisoners Organizing) will officially launch its campaign to close the Milwaukee Secure Detention Facility with a special panel discussion on Thursday, June 29 from 5 to 7 p.m. in Room M605 at Milwaukee Area Technical College, 700 W. State St., Milwaukee
Attendees will be able to watch the premiere of Tim Coursen’s video about Milwaukee Secure Detention Facility (MSDF). Mr. Coursen is an independent producer who has made several videos about Wisconsin’s unjust penal system. A panel of EXPO leaders will respond to this video, followed by remarks from Janos Dev Marton, who managed the JustLeadershipUSA's #CLOSErikers Campaign, which prompted New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio to commit to closing Rikers. At 6 pm, attendees will be encouraged to join a march to the MSDF, 1015 N 10th St., for a press conference and prayer vigil for all of the people who have died in MSDF.
James Causey’s four-part series asks “What Happened to Us?
In an excellent recent four-part series titled, “What Happened to Us?” Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reporter, James Causey, reconnected with his third grade class to explore how the experiences of his peers is representative of the region as a whole. The series was developed through the Greater Milwaukee Foundation Fellowship in Public Service Journalism and focused on impacts of homeownership, incarceration, and job access. If you didn’t catch this insightful series in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, you can read it here: https://projects.jsonline.com/news/2017/4/27/intro/
The annual Heal the Hood MKE Block Party will be held from 12 noon to 6 p.m. May 27 and May 28 at 10th & Atkinson Ave., Milwaukee. The event celebrates 6 years of healing in the inner city of Milwaukee and will feature vendors, free food, a children’s corner (face painting, 2 bounce houses, shirt making), live music from “Foreign Goods Band, Daniel L. Harris, “D’Aych and the Next Leven Band, and the MKE Flyers. There will also be African drumming by Onfyah with Akinyomi Courtney and Jo’Niece Monk. For more information on becoming a vendor and/or a sponsor or a volunteer, contact HealTheHoodMKE@gmail.com. The event is being hosted by Ajamou Butler and Jessica Rogue and co-sponsored by 6th district alderwoman Milele A. Coggs.
UBLAC (Uplifting Black Liberation and Black Communities) will host its next mass meeting from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, June 4 at Urban Underground, 4850 W Fond du Lac Ave, Milwaukee. UBLAC invites others to help the organization continue building a foundation that aligns with its mission to equip, connect, and educate Black communities with resources and opportunities that will provide a sustainable environment free from oppressive systems. UBLAC is a coalition led by Black Women, Queer, and Trans folks working towards Black liberation with people of African heritage in Milwaukee
By popular request, Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ-Milwaukee) will offer two of the workshops SURJ presented at the recent ENSJ conference -- ”White Savior Teacher and the Legacy of Anti-Blackness and State Sanctioned Genocide in US Education” and “Is Policing Necessary? Examining the Relationship Between MPD and MPS.” The workshops are scheduled for Saturday, June 3 from 10:30 am to 1:30 p.m. More details and location information TBA. Stay tuned to: https://www.facebook.com/groups/460812344093736/events/
White allies: Thoughts and conversations for today's movement
May 07, 2017 by Denise Oliver Velez
“Learning about racism, recognizing racism, and becoming an anti-racist ally doesn’t happen in an instant—it is a process. We are all shaped by our associations and experiences. It is important for us to hear how others came to the table and joined the struggle. This is true for all of us—no matter where we fall in the socially constructed boxes of “race.” Denise Oliver Velez
14th Annual African American Walk for Quality Health June 3
The 14th Annual African American Walk for Quality Health will be hosted by the Black Health Coalition of Wisconsin, Inc. on Saturday, June 3 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. starting at the Milwaukee Urban League, 435 W. North Ave., Milwaukee.
The Primary purpose of this walk is to garner city-wide support for the Wisconsin African American Eliminating Health Disparities Institute. The Institute focuses on the elimination of health disparities for African American in Wisconsin through data warehousing, research and policy development. The Institute also allows the African American community to have control regarding development, analysis, and dissemination of health information, and will ensure that the overall well-being is improved.
Another very important reason for the walk is to engage the community in a healthy meaningful activity. The promotion of good health is key to the reduction of health disparities. This walk will go a long way in sending the message that African Americans do care about their health.The 2017 Theme is “Black Moms & Grandmothers Against Toy Guns" Cost is $10 per Individual, $35 per Team (Max of 10 people). Registration will be at 9 a.m. followed by the walk at 10 a.m. Contact BHCW at 414-933-0064 for more details or click on this link: https://www.facebook.com/BHCWInc/
“Transforming Justice” conversation set for June 11 at Plymouth Church
"Transforming Justice: Youth-led Analysis of Mass Criminalization in Milwaukee" - a conversation connecting to White Privilege will be hosted by Plymouth Church, 2717 E. Hampshire Ave., Milwaukee on Sunday, June 11 from 10:30 a.m. to 12 noon.
Mass criminalization is one of the most pressing social justice issues of the 21st century. The policing and imprisonment of people of color has become a central component of struggles over racism and inequality in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and across the nation.
A UWM-based team of trans-disciplinary scholars and students as part of the Transforming Justice project will come to Plymouth and use video and discussion to center the perspectives and analyses of young people from marginalized neighborhoods in Milwaukee. The interactive presentation will aim to reveal the harms of mass incarceration often missing from public debate as well as collective visions for freedom and justice. For more information: https://www.facebook.com/events/636793326519969/
Ending racism in the Milwaukee area requires the involvement and support of everyone. As we enter 2017, please consider making a donation to Rid Racism Milwaukee. We are a total volunteer group of people from the greater Milwaukee area who are working together to do whatever we can to end racism in our community.
We have no support staff and no one receives any pay. Yet, we have expenses, including rent for a small, simple office and for use of rooms for our meetings and special events. Right now we need help to cover another year's lease. Please consider donating to Rid Racism Milwaukee.
Thank you.
Pat Katisch and Jaime Alvarado, co-chairs
Rid Racism Milwaukee
A Coalition Dedicated to Build Allies and Change Agents to dismantle
all forms of Racism and Racial Inequities; through Education, Dialogue, and Action.
Members of EXPO (Ex-prisoners Organizing) will present a free panel discussion sponsored by Rid Racism Milwaukee on Thursday, June 8 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Nonprofit Center of Milwaukee, 2819 W. Highland Boulevard. EXPO is a project of WISDOM, a statewide organization that links faith communities to work for justice. Due to limited space, registration is required and can be processed by clicking 
By popular request, Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ-Milwaukee) will offer two of the workshops SURJ presented at the recent ENSJ conference -- ”White Savior Teacher and the Legacy of Anti-Blackness and State Sanctioned Genocide in US Education” and “Is Policing Necessary? Examining the Relationship Between MPD and MPS.” The workshops are scheduled for Saturday, June 3 from 10:30 am to 1:30 p.m. More details and location information TBA. Stay tuned to: 
“Learning about racism, recognizing racism, and becoming an anti-racist ally doesn’t happen in an instant—it is a process. We are all shaped by our associations and experiences. It is important for us to hear how others came to the table and joined the struggle. This is true for all of us—no matter where we fall in the socially constructed boxes of “race.” Denise Oliver Velez
