| Let’s get together on Saturday, November 15
Current Leaders and longtime members of our League will be on hand to orient newer members to the League and all of us can take the opportunity to mingle and learn more about why each of us has joined the League.
Saturday, November 15, 10:00 am -- Noon
Summit Place, Room 2135 (1st fl. Conference room)
6737 W Washington St
West Allis 53214
Registration is appreciated but feel free to come in any case! Volunteer to help!
Questions? Contact league@lwvmilwaukee.org | AND…Join Us For Protest Sign Making (and other free resistance materials) at the Community Gathering
The Unite & Rise Protest Subcommittee will have poster-making supplies available to anyone who wants to make a poster. Join us to meet fellow members, mingle, and show off your creativity representing issues you care about. Then, we'll head out at noon to a protest in support of Democracy!
There will also be free, preprinted League window and protest signs as well as lawn signs and T-shirts available.
Protests on November 15th:
Tosa Weekly Peaceful Protest: Saturdays from 12:00-2:00 pm (corners of 76th & Bluemound Rd. and 76th & North Ave.)
East Castle Saturday Group Protest: 1:00-1:30 pm (Downer Ave., east side of the street, between Bradford Ave. & Lake Drive) |  | |
Addressing Climate Change in Milwaukee County
Saturday, Nov. 22, 10am-noon
Summit Place, 1st floor conference room
6737 W. Washington St., West Allis, WI
Learn about our local government’s efforts to address climate change and ways you can be active at the local level at this free public presentation.
"Climate Change is the overriding issue of our time,” said Louise Petering, co-chair of LWVMC’s Climate Action Group. “We must support our local champions and their work in Milwaukee County to address this global issue."
Presenters:
– Erick Shambarger, Director, City of Milwaukee Environmental Collaboration Office
– Grant Helle, Director, Milwaukee County Office of Sustainability
The speakers lead the implementation of the County's Action 2050 Plan and the City's Climate and Equity Plan, which aim to address climate change and economic inequities in our area, achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
"Despite recent setbacks in climate action by the Trump Administration, local government, including the City of Milwaukee and Milwaukee County, are pressing forward," Shambarger said. "We're excited to present bold climate projects for both government operations and the community at large, including efforts to dramatically expand access to electric vehicle charging.”
The event is co-sponsored by Citizen Action of WI, Healthy Climate WI, and Our Future Milwaukee. Register here.
|  | |
Did you know that a cell site simulator – also known as an ISMI-catcher or a StingRay – mimics a cell phone tower to intercept communication and trick mobile devices into connecting to it? Law enforcement can use cell site simulators to track location and collect identifying information.
If you reside in the City of Milwaukee, we encourage you to contact your alderperson and Mayor Johnson and urge them to ban the Milwaukee Police Department’s current and future use of surveillance technologies like cell site simulators and Facial Recognition Technology. With the permission of the Milwaukee Turners, we are sharing sample call and email scripts that can be used to contact your alderperson and the Mayor.
|  | Educational Update
What is the “Shadow Docket”?
The United States Supreme Court is increasingly using its power to issue “emergency” orders to mandate actions without oral arguments or written opinions. This is called the “shadow docket.” Initially this process was used to stop or allow actions while the case was waiting to be fully heard. It was used almost exclusively in death penalty cases. Approximately ten years ago, the Court began using this process for statewide or nationwide issues. The use of this has expanded exponentially over the last nine months.*
Why Should I Care?
The increasing use of the shadow docket produces opinions without the usual level of transparency, reasoning, or detailed explanation. These emergency orders, which were intended to be used in specific and limited situations, now have massive impact without meaningful explanations. This has led to a lack of transparency and accountability.
In addition, the Supreme Court is treating these orders as precedents for other cases and chastising district courts for not interpreting the issues in the same way in their cases. This has disrupted the lower courts.
These actions have also disrupted the balance of power between our branches of government. It has allowed the Executive Branch to bypass Congress and the lower courts. In the long term, it is leading to a continued erosion of faith in our court system and the rule of law.
If you would like to learn more about this topic, check out the excellent presentation on YouTube given to the League by Stephen Vladeck, Law Professor at Georgetown University.
*Presidents Bush and Obama filed eight requests for emergency rulings in the 16 years of their combined presidencies. President Biden requested 19 during his entire term. President Trump has requested 30 in the first nine months of this term of his presidency. He has been granted 23 consecutive requests so far this year.
|  | Weekly Protests:
Show the Administration you support the Constitution. Remember, numbers matter. Nonviolent protests are twice as likely to succeed as armed conflicts when 3.5% of the population are involved. 8.5 million voters is the 3.5% history tells us is necessary to try to stop authoritarianism. So, ask a friend or two to come with you.
SE Wisconsin Indivisible
Every Sunday, 3:00-4:00pm
1501 Miller Parkway, West Milwaukee
Shorewood Resists Weekly Overpass Protest
Every Tuesday, 4:00 - 5:30pm
Capitol Drive at I-43 (between 8th and 9th), Milwaukee
Bring a sign or hold one of ours.
Find updates and more events on Facebook at Shorewood Resists
Weekly Bridge Brigade
Every Thursday, 4:00-5:30pm
Lincoln Avenue I-43/94 Overpass
We have a new message every week and people are welcome to come and wave, help us hold up the letter frames or bring their own signs for the Lincoln Avenue traffic. Join us on Facebook at Bridge Brigade MKE
Vigil for Those Persecuted by ICE
Every Friday, 9:00am-1:00pm
Milwaukee ICE Office, 310 E. Knapp St.
Speak Up Saturdays
Every Saturday, 10:00-11:30am
76th and Layton, Greenfield
East Castle Saturday Group Protest
Saturdays, 1:00-1:30pm
Downer Ave., east side of the street, between Bradford Ave. and Lake Dr.
Tosa Weekly Peaceful Protest
Saturdays, 12:00-2:00pm
Corners of 76th and Bluemound & 76th and North.
Questions? Call Jean at 414.531.3187
| | From the Unite and Rise 8.5 Business Relations Subcommittee:
This holiday season, let’s give the gift of democracy. Skip the frenzy of Black Friday and Cyber Monday and instead, take a stand for fairness, community, and ethical business practices. On Shop Small Business Saturday, support local shops and socially responsible brands that put people before profit. Your spending power can build a brighter, more just future.
Watch for our League of Women Voters Shopping Guide in the next newsletter for inspiring local alternatives. In the meantime, use the Goods Unite Us app to see which companies share your values before you buy. Together, we can turn every purchase into a vote for the kind of world we want. | | |  | |
LGBTQ Fact from the Past: The Veteran Who Became a Bombshell
In the early 1950s long before “don’t ask don’t tell,” newspapers across America ran the sensational headline: “Ex-GI Becomes Blonde Beauty.” The story introduced readers to Christine Jorgensen, a World War II Army veteran who later became one of the first openly transgender women to gain national attention. After her military service, Christine embraced a new identity and stepped into the public eye with grace, confidence, and style—embodying the glamour of a true “blonde bombshell.” But beyond the headlines, she became a thoughtful advocate and public speaker on gender identity and trans rights, using her platform to foster understanding and challenge stereotypes. Her courage and candor helped shift public perceptions and opened conversations that continue today.
Advocacy Committee: Please contact k.vance@lwvmilwaukee.org if you’re interested in addressing the issues facing this community. If you know anyone--a parent, a community member or someone who would like to help--please let us know.
LGBTQ+ All Letters Matter |  | Nelson Named President of NCNW-Fox Valley Chapter
LWVMC Board member Karen Nelson recently became the president of the Fox Valley Chapter of the National Council of Negro Women. The organization was founded in 1935 by activist and educator Mary McLeod Bethune. Its mission is to connect, inspire and enlighten more than 2 million women. President Nelson is an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. Why mention that affiliation? Nelson is humbled and proud to share that her sorority sister Dorothy Height led the NCNW for 40 years as president.
The organization has 350 campuses and community-based sections, and is connected with 37 national women's organizations. The organization promotes education, financial stability, healthcare, public policy, social justice, and economic stability. |  | | This is the Help Milwaukee Immigrants are Asking For
From the Immigration Advocacy Committee:
Train-the-Trainer for Immigrants to Know Their Rights
Monday, November 10, 5:30-7:00
Voces de la Frontera office, 737 W. Historic Mitchell St.
Voces de la Frontera and Milwaukee Turners both say this is the most requested assistance by immigrants. Our undocumented immigrant neighbors are asking Voces de la Frontera for training so they can be prepared if ICE comes to their doors. We see inhumane and terrifying actions by ICE agents against immigrants in other cities, and ICE is active in our community now.
Voces needs trainers. They have a waiting list of people asking for help. You can answer their call for assistance. Deisy España, Voces Organizer/Case Manager, will educate us about immigrants’ rights and explain how we can help immigrants be prepared for ICE. We need Spanish speakers, but it’s not required. Come and see what you can do. For questions or to confirm your attendance, contact Diane Steigerwald at d.steigerwald@lwvmilwaukee.org
| The LWVMC Speakers Bureau is in the planning stages and recruiting volunteers to:
• speak at community events
• create clear, engaging presentations
• reach out for new speaking opportunities
• schedule speaking opportunities
Interested? Want more information? Have questions?
Contact Mary Voelker at m.voelker@lwvmilwaukee.org | |
LWVWI 2025 Issues Briefing Recordings
| | MEMORIAL DONATIONS
Would you like to honor loved ones you have lost this past year on All Souls Day, celebrated in early November? Consider a gift to the League of Women Voters of Milwaukee County in memory of someone who was a special person in your life.
Go to the Donate page on the LWVMC website and click on “Honorary/Memorial/Thank you Donation and follow the prompts. Thank you. | LWVMC VOTE411 Voter Guide
Leadership Opportunity
The Waukesha County Volunteer Coordinator for VOTE411 is open. The position recruits Community Volunteers to contact municipal and school board clerks for candidate contact information prior to inviting candidates to participate in the VOTE411 online Voter guide. You don’t need to live in Waukesha. Experience with VOTE411 is helpful, whether as a community volunteer or otherwise, but not essential. If you are interested or want more information, please contact Beth Lueck at b.lueck@lwvmilwaukee.org. | Long-term I-94 Construction May Affect Office Access
Prepare for road closures along east-west I-94 as a seven-year construction project begins in November. The construction will expand I-94 to four lanes in each direction, reconstruct the Hawley Road Interchange as a half-interchange, and reconstruct the 68th Street/70th Street Interchange, according to WisDOT. Drivers are advised to check the project's website and plan alternate routes. | Lots of Ways to Support Local Democracy and Your League. Thank You! | Follow us on Social Media! | You have received this message from the mailing list of League of Women Voters of Milwaukee County. If you would prefer not to receive these emails in the future, go to the opt-out page and modify your privacy settings. You can also request to be removed from our database completely. | |