Friend –

In the July 2024 issue of the ACLU of Wisconsin newsletter, we discuss the upcoming Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, our work during Pride Month, celebrate the award of one of our board members, and share details about a lawsuit our legal team recently filed to keep families impacted by the carceral system together.

Board Member Spotlight: Maria Rodriguez

Congratulations to ACLU-WI Board Member Maria Rodriguez for receiving the Linda Sundberg Civil Rights Defender Award, presented by Community Shares of Wisconsin!

Maria has been invaluable in advancing civil rights and social justice in Wisconsin. She embodies the spirit of the award, and she has dedicated her work (in all areas of her life) to positively affecting the balance of social, economic, and political equality, whether it be in the larger realm of advancing sheer awareness of civil rights and civil liberties amongst historically underrepresented and underserved communities; or offering more targeted expertise in promoting equality and access in one of the most fundamental areas – housing.

Maria is a lifelong resident of Milwaukee. With over 30 years of service, she retired from the city's Housing Authority and held the position of Director of the Election Commission for the City of Milwaukee. Her deep understanding of local issues and her efforts have significantly impacted the lives of many. Maria has been a staunch advocate for voting rights. She has worked to ensure that every eligible voter has access to the ballot box. Her efforts have contributed to a more inclusive and democratic electoral process. Maria's commitment extends beyond the voting booth. She actively engages with the community, fostering dialogue and collaboration. Her work as a bridge between citizens and government institutions has strengthened civic participation and amplified marginalized voices.

The sheer brilliance of her life's work is enough to satisfy the baseline notion that those who affect change must be "loud"; her career speaks loudly enough. Yet the demonstrated commitment to sustaining such impact and proliferating the message is the most beautiful part of examining her. For some, the condition of being a "change-maker: can be neatly compacted into a "nine-to-five" career paradigm or a few volunteer hours counted up for personal, less human-centric purposes. For Maria, it is an enduring vibe that permeates her movement in the universe. In general, being a civil rights defender is not something that Maria is trying to be; it's something that she just does organically.

Maria believes in a society where everyone's rights are respected, regardless of their background or circumstances. Her advocacy spans issues such as transportation equity, healthcare access, and equal opportunities for people with disabilities, to name a few. She champions the idea that true inclusivity requires active participation from all members of society.

Congratulations, Maria, on this well-deserved award!

Pride is Still Protest: Celebrating

In June, we participated in the Milwaukee Pride Fest, tabling and handing out information and merchandise to festival goers. We also proudly participated in the Milwaukee Pride Fest parade.

This year was particularly special as ten years ago, LGBTQ+ Wisconsinites gained the freedom to marry when we won our landmark marriage equality case, Walker v. Wolf, on June 6, 2014. It was essential to celebrate that win this year, as we saw a wave of state-sponsored attacks on trans people and the greater LGBTQ+ community at rates we haven't seen in decades.

So far, in 2024, the ACLU is tracking 516 anti-LGBTQ+ bills introduced in state legislatures nationwide. The vast majority of these bills were targeted directly at the trans community, including trans youth and trans adults alike. Many of those bills were attempts to remove LGBTQ+ history from libraries and schools around the country.

This year, we also plan to attend Kenosha Pride Fest in July and Madison Pride Fest in August. For the ACLU of Wisconsin, Pride is year-round. We'll never stop celebrating Pride and fighting for the rights of the LGBTQ community!

Mother-Young: Wisconsin Department of Corrections breaks the law and families, harming mothers and their infants; ACLU-WI takes action.

The ACLU of Wisconsin, with assistance from Quarles & Brady LLP, has filed a petition urging the Dane County Circuit Court to compel the Wisconsin Department of Corrections (DOC) to implement the "mother-young child care program." This program, mandated by state statute Wis. Stat. 301.049 for over three decades, is designed to allow pregnant and postpartum individuals in DOC custody or under supervision to maintain custody of their infants in a less restrictive environment.

Currently, the DOC does not offer this program to any incarcerated individuals, citing funding constraints and dismissing the statute's validity due to its age. Denying access to this program violates the legal rights of incarcerated mothers and causes irreparable harm to children's development. We advocate for swift court intervention to enforce compliance with the law. When families can sustain strong bonds despite the criminal legal system, it has been shown to benefit both the incarcerated person and their child while reducing recidivism rates, which in turn benefits the community at large. Read more about it and see our lawsuit featured in this article.

What's Coming up? – Preparing for the RNC

More than 50,000 people are expected to attend the Republican National Convention, which will take place in downtown Milwaukee this month. Here's some important information and safety precautions to take during the RNC.

When: Monday, July 15 – Thursday, July 18.
Where: 90 block security zone – Fiserv Forum area (North: Cherry St, West: 9th St, South: Clybourn St, East: Water St).

Most firearms will be allowed within the security footprint because state law prevents the City from banning them. Given Wisconsin's gun laws, we must assume folks may be armed.

There will be a significant increase in outside law enforcement presence, including:

• 1,600 officers from the Milwaukee Police Department,
• 800 officers from other Wisconsin law enforcement agencies; and
• 1,600 officers from over 100 out-of-state law enforcement agencies.

More than 4,000 law enforcement officers will be present for the RNC. The MPD has said that law enforcement from outside areas will not be required to wear body cameras unless their department already uses and has policies on body camera usage.

The governor has activated the Wisconsin National Guard, and federal law enforcement, including the Secret Service, will also be present.

Knowing Your Rights in protests and when interacting with law enforcement is essential if you plan to be in the area during the RNC. More information about the RNC is available here.

ACLU of Wisconsin