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You know what our Voter Services teams do. Here’s a fun way to learn about LWV advocacy work – and how you can help.
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Make Your Voice Heard - Protests in our Area
LWV Protest Safety Guidelines
Bird On a Wire: Join us every Saturday, 76th and Layton in Greenfield,10--11:30am; more information and signup mobilize.us/s/mbKQ7P
Southeastern Wisconsin Indivisible: Every Sunday, 3:00-4:00 pm, Stand for Democracy! Miller Parkway, just south of Greenfield, in front of the Target sign, more information and RSVP here: www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/797631/
Bridge Brigade: Most Thursdays, 4:00-5:30 pm, teams holding large signs on an overpass above the expressway, Lincoln Avenue overpass on I-43/I-94, between 4th and 5th Streets, for more information, contact Mary at cherrycheese9294@gmail.com
Brookfield Resist: August 23, 11-12:30, street demonstration. For more information signup at Brookfield Resist
| Brennan Center Presents:
The Past, Present, and Future of the Voting Rights Act
Tuesday, August 19, 2–3 p.m.
The Supreme Court has weakened the Voting Rights Act’s protections, most notably in the 2013 case Shelby County v. Holder. The 15th Amendment gives Congress the power to safeguard the right to vote through new legislation. Join us for a virtual discussion with experts, advocates, and legislators as they explore the history of the Voting Rights Act, its current impact, and what it will take to ensure fair representation for all. |
Save the Date: Surveillance Technology Training with the ACLU of Wisconsin
On Thursday, August 21 the mass incarceration advocacy program will host the ACLU of Wisconsin for a training on surveillance technologies used in Milwaukee. This training will provide an overview of what Facial Recognition Technology (FRT) is, how it works, and how the Milwaukee Police Department has proposed to trade 2.5 million mug shots for access to this “free” technology. Additional details on time and location soon to follow. | |
Make Your Voice Heard on ICE Concealed Identities
From the ACLU:
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ACTION Request From our Friends at the ACLU:
President Trump is seizing control of the Washington, D.C. police and deploying the D.C. National Guard to the streets. This is a gross escalation – and a continuation of the President's actions to turn the military and federal power against civilians and abuse his authority as Commander in Chief to force troops to conduct law enforcement.
Congress must act. Tell your representatives: No troops on our streets.
Deploying troops and federalized police to our streets isn't about safety. It's about sowing fear and chaos. This move endangers residents and troops alike. It takes the National Guard away from responding to true emergencies, like natural disasters. We can't stay silent while the military is sent to patrol our streets – our elected officials in Congress must rein in this abuse of power.
|  | | Join the Fair Maps Coalition for a Community Hearing in Waukesha County on August 20. While Wisconsin currently has fair maps, these are only in place until the 2030 Census. LEGISLATION is needed to ensure FAIR VOTING MAPS for FUTURE GENERATIONS. Fair maps leaders across the state have been working on legislation, and want YOUR INPUT! LWVWI is a member of the Fair Maps Coalition.
Details, including specific locations and the draft legislation, will be provided after registration. Questions? Email iuscely at iuscely@fairmapswi.com.
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Make Your Voice Heard at 2026 Budget Listening Sessions
As we prepare for our 2026 budget, County Executive Crowley will host two Budget Listening Sessions to hear from you and learn what is most important to you as we work together to move our community forward. These meetings are your opportunity to learn more about Milwaukee County's vision and mission, get connected to key county resources, and share your thoughts on the upcoming budget. Your feedback helps us determine our 2026 budget priorities. Learn more about Milwaukee County’s budget process and RSVP to attend at county.milwaukee.gov/Budget2026.
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Protest ICE Actions in Waukesha County
Sit Down Protest, Signs Welcome
August 14, 6:00-7:30pm
Sidewalk in front of Cutler Park, Waukesha
Waukesha County is one of thirteen counties in Milwaukee that have 287(g) agreements with ICE aimed at helping federal immigration authorities identify and deport undocumented residents housed in local jails. Most immigrants being held have no criminal record beyond misdemeanors nor are they typically receiving due process. Please join our friends at Waukesha Resist in this fight.
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LOCAL ACTION Sign up, ACT Soon!
Local actions have global impact. Do your part and attend Milwaukee County Executive Crowley’s Budget Session 5-7p.m., August 20th. Tell the County Executive that you support the County Climate Action 2050 Plan and local efforts to address climate change and air pollution. Sign up here.
Local impacts of global climate change in Milwaukee include record level rainfall and flooding here the night of August 9th and our worst-in-the-nation air quality on July 31st. Increasingly warm Gulf of Mexico waters produced water vapor laden clouds that dropped their moisture here - just after smoke from Canadian wildfires visited us. Think globally, act locally!
FEDERAL CLIMATE ACTION - Protect your health and welfare.
URGENT! Testify for three minutes at an EPA virtual public hearing (Aug 19 or 20) on the proposed repeal of the underpinnings of the Clean Air Act and its air pollution and climate regulations. Registration will be open through the last day of the hearings.
To testify you must:
- Email EPA-MobileSource-Hearings@epa.gov. to receive a link to the registration form
- Complete the actual google registration form you receive (instructions are provided)
- Watch your email for a response with your assigned day and time (subject line may refer to GHG or EPA or another related topic)
- Speak about your experiences with dirty air, extreme heat and flooding.
- Want pointers for your testimony? Email Molly Collins at Molly.Collins@lung.org.
Molly is a LWMC member and Advocacy Director for the American Lung Assn. in Wisconsin.
Write the EPA! Comments on the proposal may be submitted to the docket for this rule through September 15, 2025. Written comments on the proposal, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2025-0194 may be Emailed to a-and-r-Docket@epa.gov. Include Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2025-0194 in the subject line of the message.
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David Petering Pens MJS Guest Column on Data Centers' Energy Impact
The Aug. 7th edition of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel included a guest column by LWVMC member David Petering on the perils of huge data centers in Wisconsin. Petering, a distinguished professor emeritus of chemistry and biochemistry at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, wrote that state leaders seem oblivious to the energy consumption impacts of the data centers:
"Locally, We Energies' plan must now accommodate the Microsoft data centers under construction or planned in Mount Pleasant and Kenosha, which will utilize more energy than all the homes in the city of Madison. A much larger data center envisioned for 1,900 acres of farmland west of Port Washington will eventually require as much energy as all the homes in the state of Wisconsin!"
Read the full newspaper column here.
Petering was a presenter at the Climate Action Group's presentation titled, "Data Centers, Your Rising Energy Bill & Declining Health," on June 21. |  | |
Q. What is conversion therapy, and does it work?
A. Conversion therapy is any effort to change, modify, or repress a person's sexual orientation, sexual identity, or expression. Cornell University analyzed 47 peer-reviewed studies regarding conversion therapy that passed their research criteria and concluded that there is no credible evidence that conversion therapy can change a person's sexual orientation. In fact, they determined that conversion therapy can be extremely harmful to a person's physical and emotional health.
Source: What We Know | What does the scholarly research say about whether conversion therapy can alter sexual orientation without causing harm? | What We Know
- SB 324 / AB 3040 (Conversion Therapy Ban) As noted in last week's FACT, this is the most advanced LGBTQ+ bill, with hearings and a Senate floor vote expected.
- Significance: A July 2025 Supreme Court ruling supporting administrative bans on conversion therapy adds urgency to its passage into law. The passage of this bill is critical for the entire LGBTQ+ community. The Wisconsin League of Women Voters supports this bill. Please call your representatives and let them know you do, too.
LGBTQ+ All Letters Matter |  | |
Sponsoring organizations for Donor Advised Funds (DAFs) include Community Foundations (such as the Greater Milwaukee Foundation and the Waukesha County Community Foundation) and brokerage firms. Talk with your financial advisor about whether a Donor Advised Fund (DAF) fits within your financial planning and your charitable giving goals.
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Don’t you just LOVE helping people with voter registration?
As National Voter Registration Day approaches, the Library Outreach Committee of Voter Services has scheduled several Voter Registration events in September at both Milwaukee and suburban libraries. And more may be coming. We will need volunteers to help register voters, update addresses, encourage civic engagement, offer informational handouts and answer questions. If you have some experience helping people register to vote at myvote.wi.gov (and on paper, if necessary), please sign up! It will be three hours well spent!!
CHOOSE YOUR EVENT HERE |  | |
Healthcare in Turmoil
Vel Phillips Forum: The Palm Garden of Turner Hall Wednesday, August 20th 5:30pm
The country and our beautiful state of Wisconsin have been plunged into a time of uncertainty and chaos due in no small part to the recent national reconciliation bill and our newly passed state budget. Many of us feel destabilized and unsure what resources are available for basic healthcare, let alone more complex, unique or life-threatening medical situations. Join us to find out what these complicated budgets mean for us and our families. Our panel includes Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin's Michelle Velasquez, healthcare organizer Brandon Williford, My Way Out's Crystal Keller, and healthcare writer Timothy Faust. Moderated by Emilio De Torre. Register here.
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Mark Your Calendar
Support Voces de la Fronteras’ Immigrant Legal Defense Fund
Las Cafeteras Voces Benefit Concert
Friday, August 29
Doors open at 6pm
Taqueria El Toro Salon
6014 W Madison St, West Allis, WI
We’re thrilled to announce Las Cafeteras will be coming to Milwaukee for a special, exclusive Voces de la Frontera benefit concert on Friday, August 29th! This iconic Los Angeles based musical group is known for its commitment to social justice, and all proceeds will go to Voces’ legal defense fund to support directly impacted immigrant families. Online ticket sales and more information to come next week! Stay tuned.
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League Café will meet this month on Friday, August 22nd at 10:00 am at the East Side Library, 2320 N. Cramer St., Milwaukee. There is parking behind the library through the archway. This month is a general discussion: we discuss whatever is on our minds at the time. Our discussions are always interesting, and everyone has something to learn and contribute on whatever topic they choose.
Our topic for September is “Refugees & Immigration." The book we will be discussing is After the Last Border by Jessica Goudeau. A retired immigration lawyer will be our special guest. Join us! |
Attention LWVMC Members!
Please login to the website, go to your Member Profile and complete/update your Additional Member Data and Interests (Interests are found under Website Functions). When logged in, Member Resources will appear in the top menu of the website. There you will find members-only resources such as the Membership Directory. Contact roster@lwvmilwaukee.org with questions. Thank you!
| Support Local Democracy. Support Your League.
Your support is critical to help our nonpartisan grassroots organization reach voters play a critical role in democracy. It would not be possible to empower voters and defend democracy without your support.
Thank you! LWVMC
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