| 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
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) | | REPRO WATCH
Here we go again….RFK Jr. ignores 100+ studies to push abortion pill ban.
Apprehensive OB-GYNs across the country are alerting Americans that Health & Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. may withdraw abortion pill mifepristone from the market. | | | The threat follows the publication of a discredited study on mifepristone by a Project 2025 “think tank.” Medical organizations, including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, have called the report “seriously flawed” and accused it of manipulating data. So why would RFK Jr. believe it?
Mifepristone, which is used with the drug misoprostol for abortion and miscarriage care, was approved by the FDA in 2000 for use in a safe two-pill medication abortion regimen. A multitude of studies have shown mifepristone to be safer than penicillin and Viagra, but anti-abortion groups that oppose medication abortion are lobbying the Trump administration to remove it from the market.
Today, 63% of abortions in the country are done by women using the two-pill regimen in the privacy of their own homes.
“This is meant to take things away from us purely for political reasons,” charges Dr. Kristin Lyerly, a Wisconsin OB-GYN who also practices across the state border in rural Minnesota. “Mifepristone is incredibly safe, incredibly well-studied. We have years and years of data from the US and beyond.”
The full article can be accessed here.
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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. | MORE FROM THE CLIMATE ACTION GROUP:
Data Center Accountability bill - This pending proposal is the first measure to hold tech and utility companies accountable when building, powering, and operating data centers. It ensures communities and ratepayers aren’t left bearing the financial and environmental costs. WATCH here for future information.
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“A World in Turmoil”
On October 28, 2025, authors of the Lancet used those words to describe the climate situation confronting our world.
The prestigious health journal, Lancet went on stating, “Driven by human-caused greenhouse gas emissions, climate change is increasingly claiming lives and harming people's health worldwide. Mean annual temperatures exceeded 1.5°C above those of pre-industrial times for the first time in 2024. Despite ever more urgent calls to tackle climate change, greenhouse gas emissions rose to record levels that same year. Climate change is increasingly de-stabilising the planetary systems and environmental conditions on which human life depends. See the Lancet Countdown, an annual breakdown of how climate change impacts public health around the world. Authored by 128 global experts and headquartered at University College London, it is produced in collaboration with the World Health Organization.”
Community Calls for We Energies Transparency at N. Division High School Nov 1st Gathering
Ten members of LWVMC Climate Group participated in a community meeting focused on calls to hold We Energies accountable. As energy demand grows and rates go up, many low-income residents fear utility shut-offs. Members of the audience called on We Energies to provide more transparency by compiling rate data by zip code and by being up front about how future projects will affect their utility bills. “The Journal Sentinel reached out to We Energies and asked for zip-code level data. We Energies said it does not record data by zip code but does track gas and electric bill costs across the state. Rates are approved by the Public Service commission, and those reports are publicly available.” Community members at the event signed petitions requesting a “The People’s Audit” urging We Energies to put the needs of people over their profits. |  | | Boswell Books company has invited the League of Women Voters of Milwaukee County to participate in their gift wrapping fundraiser for the holidays. Boswell will make a donation to the League, and we can collect tips from the wrapping station!
We need volunteers to gift wrap! Sign-up here.
Come and support this independent book seller this holiday season and meet up with your friends in the League at the following times:
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Saturday, Nov. 22, 2:00 - 5:00 pm
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Saturday, Dec. 6, 2:00 - 5:30 pm
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Monday, Dec. 15, 4:00 - 7:00 pm
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Wednesday, Dec. 17, 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
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Friday, Dec. 19, 1:00 - 4:00 pm
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Tuesday, Dec. 23, 9:30 am - 1:00 pm
| Our Wisconsin, Our Constitution
LWVWI and several partner organizations are bringing their interactive, community-focused event exploring the Wisconsin Constitution to Milwaukee on Dec. 11. Over the last several years, harmful constitutional amendments have been used to push political agendas and sidestep the normal lawmaking process. These amendments have lasting consequences for our communities—and once they’re in the Constitution, they’re hard to undo.
Come for the education, stay for the community connection, and leave with concrete ways to stand up for a stronger, fairer democracy. Register here.
Thursday, December 11, 2025, 6-8 pm
Wisconsin Black Historical Society at 2620 W Center St, Milwaukee, WI 53206 | Save-the-date:
LWVMC Co-Sponsors Celebration of Member Janet Fitch's Work
Tuesday Dec. 16, 6:00-7:30 pm
Lubar Center, UWM Campus
Nicholas Innovation Commons (room #105)
A public celebration of the work of Milwaukee filmmaker, activist and LWVMC member Janet Fitch, will be held at UWM on the second anniversary of her death in 2023. The event will include a brief introduction to the recently-completed and free to use web archive for all Janet’s films, a screening of her last film, Most Dangerous Women: Women of the West, and time for discussion and mingling. The event is sponsored by the Women’s Fund of Milwaukee, the UWM Women’s and Gender Studies Department, and the League of Women Voters of Milwaukee County. The event is free, but registration is appreciated: https://www.newmoononline.org/event
More information on Janet's work, including her award-winning, 3-part documentary series, Guns, Grief and Grace in America is here.
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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. |  | 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, 2:00-3:30pm | 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 Av., E side of street, between Bradford Ave. & Lake Dr.
Tosa Weekly Peaceful Protest
Saturdays, 12:00-2:00pm | Corners of 76th-Bluemound & 76th-North.
Questions? Call Jean at 414.531.3187 |  | Brookfield Resist Street Demonstration
Saturday, November 15, 11:00am-12:30pm
Sign up at the QR code above to receive the location
Thanks to Congress, many Americans will soon see a doubling of their healthcare premiums. The shutdown affects 700,000 Wisconsinites in the Food Share program, which includes 250,000 children. For this reason, we will also be collecting canned goods and other non-perishable items for the Waukesha Food Pantry at this demonstration.
We will be continue to demonstrate against the administration for their authoritarian takeover of our government, the destruction of essential institutions, programs, healthcare, and social justice reforms, the suppression of free speech, the political vengeance, the extortion, the cruel immigration actions, the incompetence, the arrogance, and the corruption. | |
Waukesha Resist
Next peaceful demonstration:
Saturday, November 22, 11:00 am
321 Wisconsin Ave., Waukesha
(The sidewalk in front of Cutler Park)
Themes: Remove the Regime & Release the Epstein Files | | | | Seeking “Doers” Who Want to Make a Difference
What do you enjoy? How much time do you have available? Whatever the answers, there is an opportunity for you to contribute to the Advocacy Team.
From overseeing the new monthly wine/coffee advocacy webinars, managing collaborative relationships, data collection and analysis to occasional signage/brochure design and event planning, your skills are needed.
Let’s “do something together” that informs and transforms our community.
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LGBTQ+ This Week: Give Them Their Flowers
Transgender people across the United States continue to face very real risks of violence, with dozens killed each year. The true number is uncertain because many police and media reports do not identify victims by gender identity. In Wisconsin, one gender-based killing has been confirmed so far in 2025 — that of 23-year-old transgender woman Amyri Dior in Milwaukee. This is believed to be an undercount, as many cases go unreported or misclassified.
To honor those lost and celebrate resilience, attend “Give Them Their Flowers: A Trans Community Gathering” on Thursday, November 20, from 5–6 p.m. — a time for remembrance, solidarity, and hope. HERE'S THE LINK
LGBTQ+ All Letters Matter | 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 | | VOTE411 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. |  |  | | It is once again time for the City of Milwaukee’s Equal Rights Commission’s annual International Human Rights Day Celebration, taking place on December 6th, 2025, This marks our 8th year uplifting human rights work in Milwaukee, and this year’s program will feature dynamic speakers and panelists who will lead thoughtful conversations on issues shaping both our local and global communities — including immigration rights, LGBTQ+ equity, genocide awareness, global human rights challenges, and the ongoing impact of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Your presence would be deeply valued, as this event brings together community leaders, advocates, and residents committed to building a more just and inclusive Milwaukee for all.
Feel free to share it with your network, family and friends. |  | Panelists:
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James Santelle - Served with the United States Dept. of Justice
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Christine Neumann-Ortiz - CEO of Voces de la Frontera
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Yante Turner - LGBTQ+ Youth Justice Director at GSafe
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Svetlana Her - Current President of the Milwaukee Youth Council
| 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. | |