http://www.stopfbi.net/

Vaun L. Mayes is a leading activist in Milwaukee’s African American community facing serious felony charges in what many consider a frame-up by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (the ATF) and Milwaukee Police Department (MPD).

On June 5, 60 supporters applauded in federal court as Mayes was released from custody after a hearing. Mayes is facing three charges, including attempted arson. While federal prosecutors claim Mayes tried to organize people to throw rocks at police and firebomb a police station, they also say he never acted on the plans. It was also revealed in court there are at least two government informants involved.

Mayes alleged crimes took place after the MPD shooting of Sylville Smith, a 23-year-old African American man who was running away from police. Smith’s murder by police sparked the Sherman Park uprising, in which a BP gas station was burned to the ground and police lost control for three days, starting on August 13, 2016.

At the time, the MPD said Smith pointed a gun at officer Dominique Heaggan-Brown. Protesters demanded the release of police body camera footage and it revealed that Milwaukee police lied to the public. It showed that Smith had thrown a weapon to the ground before officer Heaggan-Brown shot him in the arm, and then the officer fatally shot Smith on the ground.

Officer Heaggan-Brown was charged, but then acquitted, in the murder of Smith.

In the two years since the Sherman Park uprising, the MPD and federal agencies have had little success in filing charges against people involved in the protests. So the U.S. government is resorting to a frame up.

Mayes is a well-respected activist and youth mentor. He is targeted because he is an unapologetic fighter against police crimes and the oppression of African Americans. Mayes was one of the leaders in the high profile movement to hold MPD accountable for the killing of Dontre Hamilton in 2014. Mayes works tirelessly for the residents in Milwaukee’s African American community, which suffers from some of the highest poverty and incarceration rates of any major U.S. city.

The charges against Vaun Mayes are an attempt to target activist leaders who speak out and organize people against the Milwaukee Police and their crimes. We need your help to defend Vaun Mayes and to hold police accountable, to end there lies, cover-ups and crimes.

The CSFR is asking you to stand in solidarity with Vaun L. Mayes and demand “Drop the charges now!”

Be ready for future calls to action in the campaign to “Drop the charges now!”

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/panafricanjournal/2018/07/09/pan-african-journal-special-worldwide-radio-broadcast

Listen to the Sun. July 8, 2018 special edition of the Pan-African Journal: Worldwide Radio Broadcast hosted by Abayomi Azikiwe, editor of the Pan-African News Wire. The program features reports on Ethiopia, Eritrea, Sudan, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and the United States. The second hour looks back at the dynamics and historical context surrounding the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 on its 54th anniversary. Finally we recognize the life, times and contributions of Arturo Schomburg referencing his archival and independence work related to African Americans, Puerto Ricans and Cubans. Join people from throughout the U.S., Canada, Britain, Ireland, Ivory Coast, Ethiopia, Tanzania and other geo-political regions in their engagement with this three-hour audio news magazine.

Phone Zap Against Columbia Correctional

Milwaukee IWW‎

Milwaukee IWOC is calling for a phone zap against Columbia Correctional Institution for its toxic regulations, which have exacerbated conditions at the prison near Portage, WI. Inside members of IWOC are already engaged in significant organizing and resistance on the inside. More details, sample script and link to statements by Columbia’s prisoners are below.

This is a follow-up to our first email blast against Columbia on June 25, directed at deputy warden Kalen Ruck, and is the next step in a public pressure campaign to address the situation at Columbia Correctional.

Let’s keep the pressure on!

HOW TO: PHONE ZAP
Contact the office of warden Michael Dittman and deputy warden Kalen Ruck at:
(608) 742-9100
Use the following sample script:
“I am calling because I’m concerned about the new regulations at Columbia Correctional. IWOC emailed you details today about specific regulations that are destructive. I also know that prisoners have said that these policies are “exceedingly dangerous
and cause prisoners to be driven insane and put everyone at risk”. Please change these regulations.”

If you are interested in more information on the situation at Columbia and resistance they’ve already done, you can read statements by people inside at: goo.gl/cdnFK2 If you are unable to do a phone zap, it would be useful to repeat the email zap, more details are here:
https://www.facebook.com/events/263961527501097/

One prisoner at Columbia described the impact of existing regulations as follows: “They keep changing them all the time and we either don’t know them or the COs don’t know them and implement their own and then write you up for it.” Another said on the policies: “They are exceedingly dangerous and cause prisoners to be driven insane and put everyone at risk.”

The specific policies IWOC is demanding action on are listed below:
(8.2)(E) Conduct reports for minor infractions.
(26)(D) Psychological evaluations are conducted only at the request of DOC staff.
(25.6)(C)(2) Several months wait for routine dental appointments or teeth cleanings.
(9.1)(C) Braids are not permitted on trips.
(43.3) Inmates are not allowed to have in their possession any written/printed material that details fantasy/role playing games and activities.
(43.1) Prohibition of petitions by prisoners
(10.5)(B) Property confiscated as contraband if stored in vacant bunks.
(21.1)(B) Institution does not provide writing paper.

If you have any questions about this phone zap, contact someone with IWOC at: iwoc.milwaukee@gmail.com

Hosted by Heal The Hood MKE

Heal The Hood MKE block party and Resource Fair!

Leslie Feinberg’s “STONE BUTCH BLUES” is AVAILABLE.
www.lesliefeinberg.net
** FREE PDF download at www.lesliefeinberg.net
** at-cost Lulu print tinyurl.com/juofxcf
Many of you have seen the NYTimes 6.24.18 review featuring my beloved Leslie’s LGBTQ classic, “STONE BUTCH BLUES.” Please spread the word that SBB is available FREE DOWNLOAD at www.lesliefeinberg.net
This availability was Leslie’s wish & intent and reflects her last words: “Remember me as a revolutionary communist.” https://www.workers.org/2014/11/18/leslie-feinberg/
See also https://www.workers.org/book/lavender-red/ Feinberg’s history of links between LGBTQ life and socialism/communism.

Hosted by Milwaukee General Defense Committee

Abolish ICE

Join us on Saturday July 7th 2018 for a march, noise demo and various guest speakers at the Kenosha County Detention Center to show solidarity and demand the release of those who are currently detained in Kenosha’s ICE facility, all ICE facilities around the U.S. and the abolition of ICE completely

Prisoners appreciate hearing noise demos outside of jails and prisons because it shows them that we are there for them. They will often show their appreciation and acknowledge our presence by flicking lights on and off or making noise as well

WE MUST FIGHT TO FREE ALL DETAINEES AND PUT AN END TO ICE AND THESE HORRIFIC POLICIES!! NO ONE IS ILLEGAL!!

When: Saturday July 7th 2018 3 PM

Meet in the parking lot of the Kenosha DMV 4911 88th Avenue around 2:30.
Will proceed to march Kenosha County Detention Center at 3:00 and make noise. Guest speakers to follow

Where: Kenosha County Detention Center / ICE Detention Center
4777 88th Avenue Kenosha, WI 53144

Please bring (if you can): noisemakers (sticks, pots, pans, foghorns, etc.), signs or banners, snacks, water, first aid supplies

Hosted by Voces de la Frontera

Community Forum: Restoring Driver Licenses to Wisc. Immigrants

Restoring Access to Driver’s Licenses for Immigrants in Wisconsin
Thursday, July 19th, 6pm
1027 S 5th St, Milwaukee
Special guests State Rep. David Crowley, Rep. JoCasta Zamarripa

Join us on July 19th at 6pm at Voces to plan the fight to restore driver licenses for immigrants in Wisconsin!

In the 2019 Wisconsin legislative session, State Representatives JoCasta Zamarripa and David Crowley will introduce legislation to ensure that the right to drive in Wisconsin is not denied to anyone based on their immigration status or income.

Since 2007 following the implementation of Jim Sensenbrenner’s federal REAL ID legislation, immigrants have been unable to obtain or renew a driver’s license in Wisconsin. At the same time, hundreds of thousands of US Citizens in Wisconsin have had their licenses suspended or revoked solely because they lack the money to pay punitive fines, and not due to any traffic points violations.

Denying Wisconsinites the right to drive makes our roads less safe and harms our economy. Lack of driver licenses for immigrants has increased racial profiling and led to the separation of immigrant families.

Under Trump, ICE agents have increasingly targeted people stopped for driving without a license. ICE has gone to people’s homes, detained people at work, and arrested people coming to the courthouse to pay fines. Police and sheriffs in some places have arrested community members for driving without a license and turned them over directly to ICE. It has to stop.

¡Queremos licencias! Join us on July 19th to begin this campaign. Visit vdlf.org/drivercards for more info.
————
Devolviendo el acceso a las licencias de conducir para inmigrantes en Wisconsin
Jueves, 19 de julio, 6pm
1027 S 5th St, Milwaukee
Invitados especiales representantes estatales David Crowley y JoCasta Zamarripa

¡Únase a nosotros el 19 de julio a las 6pm en Voces para planificar la lucha para restaurar las licencias de conducir para los inmigrantes en Wisconsin!

En la sesión legislativa de 2019 en Wisconsin, los representantes estatales JoCasta Zamarripa y David Crowley presentarán legislación para garantizar que el derecho de conducir en Wisconsin no es negado a nadie sólo por su estatus migratorio o ingresos.

Desde el 2007, después de la implementación de la legislación federal REAL ID de Jim Sensenbrenner, los inmigrantes no han podido obtener ni renovar una licencia de conducir en Wisconsin. Al mismo tiempo, cientos de miles de ciudadanos estadounidenses han sufrido la suspensión o revocación de sus licencias únicamente porque carecen el dinero para pagar multas punitivas, y no debido a infracciones de puntos de tráfico.

Negando el derecho de conducir en Wisconsin aumenta el peligro en las carreteras y perjudica nuestra economía. La falta de licencias de conducir para inmigrantes ha aumentado el perfil racial y la separación de familias inmigrantes.

Con Trump, los agentes de ICE han perseguido a personas paradas por manejar sin licencia. ICE ha ido a las casas de las personas, ha detenido a personas en el trabajo y ha arrestado a personas que han ido a las cortes para pagar multas. Policías y sheriffs han arrestado a miembros de la comunidad por conducir sin licencia y los han entregado a ICE. Esto no es aceptable.

¡Queremos licencias! Únase a nosotros el 19 de julio para comenzar esta campaña. Visita vdlf.org/es/drivercards para más información.

Community Forum: Restoring Driver Licenses to Wisc. Immigrants

Heal The Hood MKE block party and Resource Fair!

Friday Freedom Flicks (& Discussions)

Hosted by Milwaukee County Progressives No Palestine Exception

**** 3 Films in July ****
Discussions after each film. Free and open to all interested.
Dedicated to strengthening movements for peace & freedom & liberation.
July 6, 13, & 20| 6-8 pm | 1001 E Keefe Ave 53212

***Killing Gaza
In Killing Gaza, independent journalists Max Blumenthal and Dan Cohen documented Israel’s 2014 war on Gaza.
Yet this film is much more than a documentary about Palestinian resilience and suffering. It is a chilling visual document of war crimes committed by the Israeli military, featuring direct testimony and evidence from the survivors.

***Star of Goliath — Jewish views on Israel & the struggle for Palestinian survival
A SONG CYCLE WITH VISUALS ON PALESTINE AND ISRAEL Dave Lippman’s 2004 visit to Palestine and Israel resulted in a multimedia piece, “Star of Goliath,” which encapsulates modern Holy Land history and imperial machinations, with attention to varying Jewish views on Israel and the struggle for Palestinian survival and sovereignty. Songs, slides and sounds to open hearts and minds.

Hosted by Milwaukee IWW

Prison Strike General Assembly

Prisoners across the country are planning a massive strike and inside-prison protest from August 21- September 9 of this year. Outside solidarity is essential to protect the prison rebels and for this action to achieve its full potential.

We will be gathering over the course of the summer to build strong support here in Milwaukee, home of the highest incarceration rates the the world, the greatest racial disparities in the US, and the main fuel for Wisconsin’s exceptionally torturous and terrible prison system.

Come to the General Assemblies to share ideas, gain resources, find fellow-thinkers and learn updates about the strike as it develops and unfolds.

July 9 & 18, 5:30 p.m. Garden Park, Milwaukee. More assemblies will be scheduled every week or so, until the strike.

Read national demands by prisoner leaders here: https://bit.ly/2KqtCmd

Learn more recent history, context, and strategy for the strike here:
https://itsgoingdown.org/august-21st-is-going-to-be-lit/

IWOC (a committee of the IWW) is only hosting this facebook event, the general assembly is a decentralized and totally horizontal space for people from any organization as well as unaffiliated people. We encourage people to engage in diverse forms of strike support through informal organization and affinity groups. Read more here: https://itsgoingdown.org/introduction-affinity-group/

Remember, this is an open and public event, no one is controlling,
limiting or vouching for everyone who attends. Practice good security:
https://crimethinc.com/2004/11/01/what-is-security-culture