Police in Schools - Speak Out

Cia Siab, Inc. supports removing SROs from the School District of La Crosse. BIPOC youth should be able to feel safe and be safe at school.

Support our demand to remove SROs from schools by sending a letter to the La Crosse Board of Education. Or, register to speak at the December 7th La Crosse Board of Education meeting at 6pm by calling 608-789-7659.

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From La Crosse Waking up White:

On 11/16/18  Dr. Engel, superintendent of La Crosse School District gave his recommendations/report to the La Crosse School Board concerning School Resource Officers. 

Here is his full report.

School Resource Officer Program Review

The School Board will vote on whether to change the present contract with School resource officers on Dec. 21st 6 pm meeting.  If you want to have input you can register to speak at the Dec. 7th, 6pm School Board meeting by calling 789-7659

Here is the "summary" of Dr. Engel's report:

 

FINDINGS 

School-to-Prison Pipeline: Key findings show that the markers of the school-to-prison pipeline are present in the School District of La Crosse.

1. The School District of La Crosse relies on exclusionary discipline at higher rates than other school districts.

2. The School District of La Crosse disproportionately disciplines and suspends students of color, students in poverty, male students, and students with disabilities.

3. Juvenile arrests occur at higher rates in the City of La Crosse than in comparable cities.

4. Black juveniles are disproportionately arrested in the City of La Crosse.

5. Graduation rates for Black students and students with disabilities have declined while graduation rates for reference groups have grown or stayed the same, expanding graduation gaps. 

6. The La Crosse SRO program is staffed and funded at a higher rate than other comparable school districts.   

 

RECOMMENDATIONS The School District of La Crosse is committed to providing an educational environment where all students and families are safe, welcome, and included. Therefore the District must shift away from punitive disciplinary practices, the criminalization of students and actions that contribute to the school-to-prison pipeline. To achieve this, the following actions are recommended: 

1. Develop and implement School District of La Crosse philosophies and disciplinary practices that reduce punitive approaches to student misbehavior and eliminate the criminalization of students. 

 2. Develop and implement School District of La Crosse philosophies and practices that lead to proportionate disciplinary and arrest outcomes for historically marginalized students.

 3. Expand and shift to therapeutic and restorative practices for students who have challenges with behavior. 

4. Expand proactive social service resources within the School District.

 5. Reduce the ongoing, routine presence of SROs in school buildings while retaining consistency of responding officers. 

6. Establish an SRO Oversight Committee  

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Letter to Editor (La Crosse Tribune, Sunday, November 29, 2020)

Recently, the Tribune opined that police should remain in our schools. Asking if the school community is better off with police, they concluded, “We haven't heard anything that says otherwise.”

Really?

Clearly, someone is not listening. Recent public programs have highlighted students, teachers, counselors, and parents telling us that police in schools cause stress, harm students' educational experiences and attainment, feed the school to prison pipeline, sometimes act inappropriately, apply different standards to white and non-white students, and require funds that could pay for more education professionals.

The Tribune said that police in schools have been a success. But the testimony, statistics, and research presented don't point to success.

This kind of non-listening keeps bad policies, inequality, and racism in place. Dismissing others' experiences because they don't fit with a preferred world view, closes off opportunities to improve how things work. Ignoring the facts because they may upset the way it's always been blocks change and inclusion.

The superintendent's recommendation to keep police in the schools after all the testimony, studies and data, was very disappointing and, to me, cowardly. People are telling us that this program causes stress, harm, and pain. Listen.

I hope the school board has the courage to listen to those whose lives are adversely affected by this unnecessary and harmful program. I hope they will remove police from our schools and use the money to hire teachers and counselors whose goal is to assure the best educational outcome for every student.

Cathy Van Maren, La Crosse

 

FAIR MAPS Action!

On Thursday, November 19, attend an ONLINE public hearing on redistricting reform being hosted by Governor Evers' People's Maps Commission. The hearing, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., will focus on the Third Congressional District. Visit this link to find how to register to testify. You may also submit written comments by using this form.

And, from the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign:

 TAKE ACTION ON FAIR MAPS! BY NOV. 22!

Dear Friend, 

The Wisconsin Supreme Court is taking public comments on a proposed rule that would pre-rig the process for the drawing of legislative and congressional district maps and would likely lead to another gerrymander in Wisconsin. 

The proposed rule was submitted by the rightwing Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty (WILL), and it has the following flaws: 

First, it would jump any legal challenge to redistricting immediately to the Wisconsin Supreme Court rather than let that challenge work its way through the courts in a normal fashion. The establishment of a record at the lower court level would enhance transparency and enable the citizens of Wisconsin to grasp the evidence in the case and the competing arguments as they wend their way through the courts. 

Second, nonprofit public interest organizations and concerned citizens could get aced out of any hearing on redistricting maps before the Wisconsin Supreme Court. The WILL petition, in Section 5(b), requires only that the political parties be heard by the Court in any dispute over the maps. It does not allow room, explicitly at least, for groups like ours that have a longstanding interest in this issue to be heard. Redistricting is not simply a dispute between the parties. 

Third, the proposed rule that WILL is advancing gives the Court the leeway to disregard the procedures and requirements laid out in the rule itself. So that’s no rule at all if it allows you to toss everything out the window and just do what you want. If you’re going to have a rule, it should be abided by, and it should be transparent, and it should be applied in a fair manner. 

So I have a favor to ask: Please write the Wisconsin Supreme Court today and tell them that you oppose this rule and tell them why in your own words. 

At the top of your letter, please note that you are writing concerning Rule Petition 20-03 relating to legal challenges to redistricting. 

If you copy your letter into this form by Nov. 22 at 5:00pm via the Wis. Fair Maps Coalition, we’ll submit it for you. 

Thanks for your help! 

Best, 

Matt Rothschild Executive Director rothschild@wisdc.org

The Progressive Turn

 At 3 p.m. Monday, November 16 via Zoom.

SPEAKERS

Heather Gautney, Associate Professor of Sociology, Author, Crashing the Party: From the Bernie Sanders Campaign to a Progressive Movement

Zephyr Teachout, Associate Professor of Law
Author, Break 'Em Up: Recovering Our Freedom from Big Ag, Big Tech, and Big Money

MODERATOR

Todd Melnick, Clinical Associate Professor of Law and Director of the Law Library | Fordham Law School

REGISTER HERE.

People's Budget Public Listening Sessions

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 12, 2020 

Contact: GovPress@wisconsin.gov 

Gov. Evers, Lt. Gov. Barnes to Host People's Budget Virtual Listening Sessions 

 MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers and Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes today announced a series of People's Budget virtual listening sessions as the state begins the 2021-2023 state budget process. Gov. Evers and Lt. Gov. Barnes will host four virtual, issue-based budget listening sessions to hear directly from families and workers about the issues affecting Wisconsin. The first virtual listening session will occur on Tues., Nov. 17, 2020 at 6 p.m. and will focus on healthcare and public health in Wisconsin. 

“Our first budget was crafted by and with the people of our state, and this budget will be no different,” said Gov. Evers. “The listening sessions for our 2019-21 budget were successful in helping us develop a budget that reflected the stories, experiences, and priorities of folks across our state. Although we won't be able to host these listening sessions in-person this time around, I look forward to visiting with Wisconsinites virtually and hearing their thoughts and feedback as we put together the People's Budget.”

A full schedule of these listening sessions is available below and on the governor's website here. All participants must register to attend on the governor's website here. Wisconsinites are also welcome to submit written comments on any topic at any time here. Members of the press are invited to attend and will receive RSVP information in advance of the listening sessions.

Budget Listening Session on Healthcare and Public Health

Tuesday, November 17, at 6 p.m. 
Register to attend here. 

Budget Listening Session on Environment, Infrastructure, and the Economy

Wednesday, December 2, at 6 p.m. 

Registration will be live one week before the listening session date.

Budget Listening Session on Criminal Justice Reform
Tuesday, December 8, at 6 p.m. 
Registration will be live one week before the listening session date. 

Budget Listening Session on Our Schools and Education 
Wednesday, December 16, at 6 p.m. 
Registration will be live on week before the listening session date.

Nov. 15 Hmoob New Year

Live stream of local speakers and performers plus lighted lantern release. Begins at 5 pm. Visit site or ciasiabinc.org for more details.

November 18 - Amplifying the Voices of Black Youth and Their Parents

From Greater La Crosse Area Diversity Council

The recent murders of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor brought forth national protests against long-standing police brutality and systemic racism that permeates our country.

In the La Crosse area, multiple protests have been organized by local Black youth who shared their perspectives of experiencing racism, bullying, and stereotyping in our community from a very young age.

This event will facilitate discussion and understanding on a film intended to amplify the voices of the La Crosse area black youth and their parents, to engage our community in necessary conversations about bias, racism, and privilege. We challenge our community to change the environment, policies and practices that disproportionately impact black youth and their families.

Register Here

Program presenter: 
Tashyra  Bernard
Director- Yellow Brick Road, Inc.

My name is Tashyra Bernard and I have been a resident of the la crosse community for 21 years. Originally, I am a Madison, Wisconsin transplant. I am the third oldest of eight children and I moved here with my family during my junior year of high school. We have been calling this our home ever since.

I received my bachelor’s degree from Viterbo university, where I studied business and psychology.  I have children that are currently attending the elementary schools and my oldest who is out of school now, has done all her schooling in the La Crosse area. We have shared generations of our experiences over the years and each of our stories are all too similar.

I am the Director and Co-founder of  Yellow Brick Road; a group home for youth between the ages of 14 and 21. I got into this line of work because I am passionate about helping people and I wanted to be a part of the puzzle in guiding our youth.

As the years have gone by, I’ve realized that puzzle is much larger. It’s necessary to consider all the connecting pieces if we’re ever going to see the big picture.  I’m an advocate for my family and many other people in the La Crosse community.
It is my belief that courageous conversations need to be had in the schools, at work, in the church’s and all other places where there is an opportunity to connect and learn from one another. Most importantly, we all need to be proactive about being part of the conversation and then challenge our capacity to truly listen with the goal of understanding.

Partners:
Greater La Crosse Area Diversity Council (GLADC)
Waking Up White Collaborative
Black Leaders Acquiring Collective Knowledge – B.L.A.C.K.
Cia Siab, Inc.
City of La Crosse Human Rights Commission
City of La Crosse Mayor’s Office
City of La Crosse Police Department
La Crosse Area Family Collaborative
La Crosse County Historical Society
Turner Consulting
University of Wisconsin La Crosse Police Department

Register Here

Nominations open for King Award

Nominations Sought for the 2021

Martin Luther King, Jr. Leadership Award

Primary Contacts for questions and more information: Tracy Littlejohn/Vanessa Schmitz at mlkdaylaxaward@gmail.com or Thomas Harris at 608.780.7153.

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Leadership Award was established in 2009. The purpose of this award is to recognize leadership in and commitment to building community, enhancing diversity, and working for justice.  This award recognizes community members whose leadership include the following: 

• Efforts are directed toward creating tangible, permanent and/or systemic positive change in the Greater La Crosse Area 

• Efforts are focused on issues of social justice, equity, diversity and inclusion, unearned privilege (may include other justice issues that mirror Dr. King’s work, e.g., race-equity, anti-poverty, peace, nonviolence)

• Efforts work to empower and impact next generation

• Efforts include devoting personal energies beyond one’s “paid position”

• Efforts to create positive change in areas outside of the Greater La Crosse Area

• Any additional considerations or contributions

The nomination application and materials should address the above qualities in detail.

November 7 Rally - Fighting for a Better Tomorrow

Why this is so important! 

 

We look at Donald Trump’s attempts to undermine the U.S. presidential election with Jane McAlevey, a union organizer, negotiator and senior policy fellow at UC Berkeley’s Labor Center who was an eyewitness to the 2000 Florida recount. She says the 2000 election holds lessons for today, when Democrats allowed Republicans to claim a controversial victory. “We have to have a counternarrative. We have to have very large numbers of people in the streets.”

With the 2020 votes almost counted, we are at the cusp of the end of the election season. Voters across Wisconsin and the country have spoken and chosen our next president. Our neighbors and communities have chosen a new vision for the future coming from the White House.

Tomorrow, Saturday, November 7th, join Citizen Action of Wisconsin, SEIU, Opportunity Wisconsin, Leaders Igniting Transformation and area progressives in Copeland Park at 1PM for a day of celebration as we refocus on the future and fight for the tomorrow Wisconsinites voted for. No one election; it is so important to remind all of us across Southwest Wisconsin to stay engaged, activated and focused!

From 1PM to 3PM the park will be filled with the sounds and voices of performers and speakers coming together - culminating in a socially distanced protest along Copeland Ave calling on all of us to keep working on issues such as racial justice, police reform, climate justice, healthcare for all, fair wages, immigration reform, and women’s rights.

RSVP for this event here to stay up to date on event details! Speakers for the event will include newly elected progressive leaders, local climate activists, student leaders and a several Wisconsin activism superstars!  There will also be performers and refreshments on hand for everyone.  Please share this event with your own network so we can build a great celebration!

Safety in the age of COVID is very front of mind tomorrow.  Masks and hand sanitizer will be available for free, and social distancing will be a must for everyone attending.

 We must do everything we can to stay in the fight for a better tomorrow.  We hope you will be able to join us at this very special event!

Bid to Build for Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity La Crosse Area and Thrivent are joining together to build La Crosse’s first Faith Build Home. Thrivent has generously donated $87,500 to help build a home for the Olson Family—a local family in need of decent and affordable housing. Help us build a home for the Olson Family by participating in our “Bid to Build” Online and LIVE Auctions. Every bid helps build a home for the Olson Family! The BID TO BUILD AUCTION features dozens of fun and unique items to bid on: Cool ReStore treasures! One-of-a-kind gift baskets! Exciting adventures! And much, much more . . . Get started on your holiday shopping! Or treat yourself to something relaxing! Auction Details : ONLINE AUCTION November 6 through November 12 Browse the Auction Items in detail that will be available in the Online Auction (check page frequently as new items will be added every few days), and Register to Bid so you are ready to start bidding on November 6. https://www.giveffect.com/campaigns/16405-bid-to-build-online-auction Please help us get the the word out! Please share our Facebook event with your family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, and anyone else in your circle! https://www.facebook.com/events/342031153747559

Click here to check out the Online Auction

 

Wake UP Dammit!

 

VOTE and PROTECT THE RESULTS

On the one hand, how can this even be a contest? Are that many of our fellow people so racist and greedy, so unconcerned about the environment and basic human rights, so in love with their stock market investments or their reverso-world christianity (did you know that "Pro Life" Wisconsin is one of the groups suing to stop COVID indoor capacity restrictions?) that they would actually vote for that guy? Along with the trump caravans, the trump police, the other trump police, the local trump police (who is going to run against this guy? Maybe THIS guy.), the trump COVID-coughers, the trump road-blockers and polling place-blockers, and more, just the thought that a pretty consistent forty percent of us are so awful and despicable, is very depressing. 

James Carville (not a fan) says it'll be a "blowout." I hope he's right.

Whatever happens, on Wednesday, there's a Protect the Results rally. If you can be there - with mask - distanced from those not in your household - please do. .

Protect the Results rally November 4th at 12:00 PM Riverside Park in La Crosse Wisconsin

 

 

NOW HIRING - SIERRA CLUB Western Wisconsin Campaign Coordinator

 

The Sierra Club’s John Muir (Wisconsin) Chapter is looking for the right person to be the Western Wisconsin Campaign Coordinator. This person will work with Chapter staff, partners, and volunteers to accomplish Beyond Coal and clean energy campaign goals, improve our communications and outreach, and enhance our Equity, Inclusion and Justice (EIJ) efforts. Activities include campaign implementation; communication; promoting equity, inclusion and justice; community outreach and volunteer support. This position is located in La Crosse. Please help us find the right person for this position. Having a Sierra Club staff member in La Crosse will increase our effectiveness in promoting clean energy in the Coulee Region. For more information, go to tiny.cc/laxscjob