MILWAUKEE - We welcome Mark Thomsen, the attorney for Milwaukee Bucks player Sterling Brown, to discuss critical lessons from Sterling Brown’s legal case against the Milwaukee Police and what they teach us about police reform. In addition, we discuss the Wisconsin Election Commission’s unanimous decision to send absentee ballot application to 2.7 million Wisconsin registered voters.

Listen Now – Episode #446
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MADISON, WI – Senator Tim Carpenter (D-Milwaukee) offered the Democratic weekly radio address celebrating Pride Month.

“Although there is still work to do in Wisconsin as we move forward, such as ending the practice of conversion therapy in our state, I am extremely proud of the progress that our state and country have made during my lifetime.” – Senator Tim Carpenter

The audio file of this week’s address can be found here.

A written transcript of the address is below: 

“Hello, this is State Senator Tim Carpenter, I’d like to invite you to celebrate “Pride Month” with me this June. Ever since the Stonewall Uprising in June of 1969, June is a special time for us to come together to show our pride in our identity and the contributions that LGBTQ people have made to society. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the first Pride celebration, making it the Pride jubilee!

“I would like to thank Governor Evers for celebrating with us by flying the rainbow flag over our State Capitol, signifying his support for people all across the spectrum. I would also like to thank him for his actions he has taken to support the community, especially his veto of a bill this session that would have undermined Wisconsin’s protections for sexual orientation, national origin, and ancestry.

“Although there is still is much more work to do in Wisconsin as we move forward, such as ending the practice of conversion therapy in our state, I am extremely proud of the progress our state has made during my lifetime. Although celebrations this year will be affected by physical distancing, I look forward to seeing the creative ways that everyone expresses their pride this June!”

Brown County Dem supports Shelton over Gruszynski in northeastern Wisconsin Assembly race.

GREEN BAY, WI - This summer, voters in Green Bay’s 90th District, currently represented by first-term incumbent Staush Gruszynski, should support challenger Kristina Shelton. Shelton is vice-president of the Green Bay School Board. She has proven herself to be an excellent campaigner, but more importantly, she is a leader that brings people together and solves problems by listening, collaborating, taking decisive action, and being accountable. Shelton is a progressive leader who will help increase turnout by reaching out to people who have never been reached out to before and empowering them to become part of the solution to the problems facing all of us.

Over the last 20 years, Shelton has proven to be a leader who improves the organizations that she is a part of. She’s the leader we need right now because she represents the change we need. And electing her in this August’s primary is even more important because of the consequences of our current representative’s recent behavior.

In October 2019, freshman Assembly Representative Staush Gruszynski sexually harassed a state employee while having after-hours drinks with a group of people in Madison.

In December, the state legislature’s HR department found the victim’s account of the incident to be credible. Gruszynski didn’t deny the victim’s statements. The freshman legislator admitted to making ‘’a terrible mistake’’ and claimed to be in counseling and practicing sobriety.

Leaders of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, the Assembly Democrats, and the Young Democrats of Wisconsin called on Gruszynski to resign. Minority Leader Gordon Hintz banned him from caucusing with Democrats and asked Speaker Robin Vos to withdraw Gruszynski’s committee assignments, which the speaker did.

Gruszynski stubbornly refused to resign and stated that he would ‘’continue to work hard’’ to represent Green Bay in Madison in the Assembly.

Ever the politician, Gruszynski looked forward to his next election instead of reflecting on how his actions affected a worker. He started strategizing about how to repair his image and build up his endorsements almost immediately. As far as I know, Gruszynski hasn’t spoken publicly about what happened on that night and he hasn’t appeared on camera to take questions from reporters or the public.

Remarkably, Gruszynski has had some success at garnering endorsements from old friends and political allies. His old friends and allies have a right to support anyone they want, but loyalty in light of what happened that night sends the wrong message. They are standing by their man in spite of how his actions affected a worker.

I want to be clear that Gruszynski has never done anything to me personally. I voted for him in 2018 and supported him as a small-dollar donor at two of his fundraisers. I genuinely supported him and wanted him to succeed as a representative of Green Bay.

However, Gruszynski’s actions on that October night disappointed me when I read the newspaper reports some time later. Gruszynski was entrusted with a position of power, but he made a big mistake that affected another person and he squandered an opportunity to fully represent the interests of Green Bay citizens as our representative in Madison.

Despite support from his loyalists, Gruszynski has the political strength and momentum of a wounded turtle. He’s been on the outside looking in on the political activity in Madison and he hasn’t been allowed to participate in committee meetings because he lost his assignments due to his actions. We don’t know when or if Gruszynski will be welcomed back to caucus with Democrats or be returned to his committee assignments even if he is re-elected.

Political observers and voters in Green Bay have been discussing whether or not Gruszynski deserves to keep his job as our representative. In America, and indeed here in Green Bay, we believe in second chances because of our deep religious roots and our understanding that no one is perfect. However, that doesn’t mean that there aren’t consequences and repercussions for actions or that a person is entitled to be forgiven and keep his or her job regardless of what they do. Gruszynski deserves a second chance in life and the opportunity to redeem himself, but I don’t think he deserves to keep his job as our representative.

Morally, I think it is clear that Gruszynski’s actions should keep us from nominating him in the Democratic primary on August 11 and re-electing him on November 3.

Politically, nominating Gruszynski would weaken Democrats in November. As most everyone knows, it is crucial for Democrats in Green Bay to do well in November because of how the local turnout and results could determine the outcome of the presidential election.

We as Democrats pride ourselves in being in favor of workers’ rights and women’s rights, as well as being deeply committed to doing what is right. In my opinion, we as members of the local party will lose credibility if we nominate and support someone who recently admitted to sexually harassing a worker. How can we question the character of Republicans who abuse their power and at the same time support a Democrat who did the same thing?

If, like me, you want our party to stand for accountability and workers’ rights, please join me in supporting Kristina Shelton to be the next representative for Green Bay and the 90th District in the Assembly.

- Jarrett Brown, Green Bay

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Jarrett Brown is a factory worker, activist, and voter who lives in the 90th Assembly District in Green Bay. He is an active member of the Democratic Party of Brown County.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/farm-family-s5.jpgThe Senator writes about ways we can support our dairy farmers and celebrate June Dairy Month in Wisconsin. He reflects on conversations with friends from the farming community and their ability to be resilient during tough times.

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/trump-church-photoop-artnet-s5.jpgA military member's oath is to defend the constitution and the rights it bestows upon all Americans, not promote the political ambitions of one particular President say Veterans.

Statement of Russ Feingold, President, and Zinelle October, Executive Vice President, American Constitution Society on the tragic murder of George Floyd and acts of violence by police rooted in racism.

WASHINGTON, DC - ACS stands with the civil rights community in observing a National Day of Mourning this Thursday. Each time a tragedy like the murder of George Floyd happens, it is triggering for Black and Brown people who see themselves and their loved ones in each victim, which is shamefully often. The stress and pain are real and personal. 

These murders and acts of violence by police are rooted in racism. We are grieving over these systemic and senseless losses of life, and we stand with our Black and Brown communities who feel this like no other. And while it’s important to grieve, we must also be a part of the change that’s so desperately needed. While we revere the Constitution, defend democracy, and work toward a more just union, we cannot ignore the racist history of our nation’s founding documents. We must continue to insist and work to uphold the Constitution in the 21st Century by ensuring that law is a force for protecting our democracy and the public interest and for improving people’s lives—including the lives of Black and Brown people.

Judge Carlton Reeves reminded us at last month’s ACS virtual graduation that we all have to advocate for a more perfect union. We take that charge seriously, and we encourage our members and supporters to stand up against racism and, as our colleagues who organized the day of mourning mention, work to stop the “brutal killings of African Americans by police and vigilantes – as well as the appalling, inappropriate response by police to peaceful uprisings.” Here are a few ways that we will and we should work toward those missions:

• Observe a National Day of Mourning this Thursday
• Save the date for our briefing call on “A History of Violence: Institutional Racism in Our Criminal Justice System” on Friday, June 5^th at 1:30 pm ET.
• Organize or join an antiracist or diversity and inclusion discussion with your local ACS chapter. If you’d like to be connected with your local chapter, email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
• Sign this petition by Color of Change calling for the end of police violence against Black people
• Volunteer to Help Protesters. The National Lawyers Guild is looking for lawyers to help with protest support efforts around the country. Volunteers are needed to answer hotlines, act as legal observers, and help with legal defense work. Training materials are available through the National Lawyers Guild and local chapters. If you are interested, please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and include your location and where you are barred so we could connect you/share further information.
• See these anti-racism resources.
• Join our virtual national convention June 8-12.
• Complete your Census form and encourage everyone you know to do the same.
• Vote and sign up with us to get out the vote.
• If you have other ideas for ACS, please let us know at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Callous disregard among police for the lives, labor, health, and safety of communities of color must be weeded out, says labor union.

MILWAUKEE, WI - AFSCME Wisconsin categorically rebukes the recent vicious murder of George Floyd, the killings of Wisconsin’s Tony Robinson, Jonathon Tubby, all unnamed victims, and all forms of violence against black, indigenous, and people of color by police. AFSCME Wisconsin is dedicated to eradicating all forms of violence against communities of color, including economic violence which exploits labor, as it has since the inception of our nation.

AFSCME Wisconsin Executive Director Patrick Wycoff stated, “AFSCME Wisconsin reaffirms our collective responsibility to resist police crimes, racism, and white supremacy as classist tools used to silence and injure the working class. Deploying police violence against the working class is not a new tactic. We must heighten our efforts to eliminate this violence with solidarity and accountability.”

Callous disregard for the lives, labor, health, and safety of communities of color must be met with a concerted movement to defund the militarized police presence in our communities and support community-controlled policing oversight. AFSCME Wisconsin is deeply dedicated to a labor movement led by black, indigenous, and people of color and healing the wounds of racism perpetuated against union members in the labor movement.

AFSCME Wisconsin President Paul Spink remarked, “at the very heart of the labor movement is the idea that an injury to one is an injury to all. AFSCME has taken pride in our involvement in the civil rights movement since 1968. We continue to commit today, and we stand in solidarity with all those who have been tragically killed by law enforcement officers who have sworn to protect them. We demand that our elected leaders hold all public employees to a high standard of accountability and integrity and that they do so now.”

Please contribute to organizations continuing the vital work of racial and economic justice including Black Leaders Organizing for Communities, Leaders Igniting Transformation, Voces de la Frontera, Indigenous Environmental Network, and Liberate MKE.

We must listen to Black Americans, their experiences, acknowledge the hurdles they face, and make bold changes to address these systematic inequities and injustices, says State Senator.

Racial justice and environmental justice are inseparable, says conservation group.

MADISON, WI - Wisconsin Conservation Voters stands among those calling for racial justice and accountability in the wake of George Floyd’s death at the hands of Minneapolis police.

George Floyd’s death is yet another example of the systemic and pervasive racism that makes people of color and indigenous communities in our country fear for their families’ health, safety, and lives every single day.

Racial justice and environmental justice are inseparable. Communities of color, indigenous communities, and all of those marginalized by systemic racism are also the most harmed by climate change, dirty air, and dirty water.

As an organization that envisions a world with clean air, clean water, public lands, and a safe climate – all protected by a just and equitable democracy – we understand we are all only as safe as those members of our community who are most at risk.

We recognize that racism dehumanizes all of us, and we are committed to taking anti-racist action. We recognize the leadership of frontline organizations and individuals, and we stand among those calling for justice, accountability, and an end to violence.

Kerry Schumann
Executive Director
Wisconsin Conservation Voters

http://newiprogressive.com/images/stories/S5/george-floyd-protest-mdsn-wpr-s5.jpgCommunities across the country are coming together to raise awareness of the racial inequities that exist in America. We all have a responsibility to make a difference moving forward.