What is Unite & Rise 8.5?

It’s the League’s call to fulfill the second half of our motto, “Empowering Voters. Defending Democracy.” due to the Constitutional Crisis brought on by the administration’s many attacks against the Constitution.

How is the Constitution and Democracy being undermined?

The administration has ignored the First Amendment rights to freedom of speech, the press, religion, and peaceful assembly; Fifth Amendment right to due process; Sixth Amendment right to legal counsel; Fourteenth Amendment birthright citizenship; the powers of the Legislative and Judicial branches; the right to fair representation via unbiased voting district maps; and prohibitions on cruel and unusual punishment.

 

What does 8.5 mean?

This is where the words “We the People” in the preamble to the Constitution are critically important.  According to historians who have studied over 100 years of how democracies become autocracies, if 3.5% of the population actively and nonviolently resist their government there is a 50% chance of stopping autocracy.  3.5% of the US population eligible to vote is 8.5 million.

What happens if “We the People” do nothing or the protest is violent?

If we do nothing there’s a 7% chance we won’t descend into autocracy.  If resistance becomes violent there’s only a 25% chance of stopping autocracy.  

Why is nonviolent resistance so much more successful than violent resistance?

Many more people are able to and are willing to engage in nonviolent resistance than in violent resistance.  Numbers engaged in resistance matter to governments and to their supporters. 

How can I become part of resisting our country's slide into autocracy?

1. Peacefully Protest - Visible resistance is essential so the government and its supporters  see the number of citizens who don’t agree with their actions.  Nonviolent visible protest activity encourages those sitting on the sidelines to join in.  Protests are listed every week in the Weekly Update and on our website.  Contact Bridgit Hansen, Protest Committee Chair, b.hansen@lwvmilwaukee.org, for more information.

1. Speak Up  -  Visit, call, email or write letters to your representatives telling them what you want them to do.  Suggested actions are published in the Weekly Update and on our website.  Contact Carol Wolcott, Political and Civic Affairs Chair, c.wolcott@lwvmilwaukee.org, for more information. 

1. Economic Disruption - Business is one of the pillars that can either support or push back against the government.  And as consumers we have leverage with businesses.  We will be publishing information about businesses to consider patronizing based on their support of the community in the Weekly Update. Contact Business Relations Committee Co-chairs Rebecca Ellenbecker, r.ellenbecker@lwvmilwaukee.org, and Amy L. Ziolkowski, a.ziolkowski@lwvmilwaukee.org, for more information.

1. Religious Leadership - Religious leaders have significant moral authority to either support and push back against the government.  During the Philippines revolution in the 1980s the Catholic Church was crucial to maintaining non-violence.  Encourage your religious leader to publicly support the rights accorded us by the Constitution.  Contact Lorna Grade, Religious Leadership Committee Chair, l.grade@lwvmilwaukee.org, for more information.

1. Support Government Transparency - Promoting open, transparent and accountable government is essential to ensure that citizens are aware of the decisions that impact their lives.  Join the Observer Corps and help identify areas where action or improvement is needed. Contact Robyn Furger, Observer Corps Chair, r.furger@lwvmilwaukee.org, for more information.

1. Collaborate to Right Wrongs - Too often, people learn about problems but find them too overwhelming to do anything.  Through the Medicaid/FoodShare Task Force, like-minded individuals are tackling the difficult problem of new obstacles to Medicaid and FoodShare coverage included in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The object is to mitigate harm to affected Wisconsinites. Contact Co-Chairs Deb Bursinger, d.bursinger@lwvmilwaukee.org, and Linda Laarman, l.laarman@lwvmilwaukee.org, to learn more. 

For more general information about Unite & Rise, contact Donna Spars, d.spars@lwvmilwaukee.org, Unite & Rise 8.5 Milwaukee Program Chair.