Juneteenth Celebration and Cecil Adams Presentation

Next Tuesday June 13th, Cecil Adams Jr, CEO/founder of African American Mutual Assistance Network, Inc, will be giving a presentation at Riverside Museum. This is a great opportunity to learn more about local African American history and support the community. Please make it if you can, agenda is below. Keep an eye on the June 18th 'Juneteenth' celebration at Poage Park and the south side neighborhood center as well. Juneteenth is a holiday celebrating the announcement of slavery abolition, Celebrating it here in La Crosse is a great way to express our commitment to human rights and to fighting racism and discrimination.


June 13th - "African Americans in the La Crosse Area-The Process"
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Discussion:· 12:00-12:10pm: Ice-Breaker Mr. Adams’s “The Husband”
· 12:10-12:45 pm: Success is not only measured by the outcome but also through the Process.

· 12:45pm-12:55pm: Q and A: 

Trump coming to Wisconsin

You never find out exactly where or when until about 10 minutes before the event, but if anyone has more info and/or knows of any "welcome" activities planned, please post.

walker-says-additional-trump-stops-possible-next-week

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Gov. Scott Walker says additional public events in Wisconsin next week with President Donald Trump are being discussed.

Trump is scheduled to headline a private fundraiser for Walker on June 13 in southeast Wisconsin. Walker said Monday that there has been "some discussions" about Trump doing other public events when he's in the state.

-- snip --

This week's events

On Monday, June 5 at 4 p.m. at the Onalaska City Hall, Grace Deason is hosting "Toward a Beloved Community," in support of SURJ member, Lori Lunney, who has been charged with vandalism for chalking messages of love and inclusion on Onalaska sidewalks. (By the way, Minnesota's been there and done that. Good grief!)

Tuesday, June 6 is one of the Wisconsin Bike Fed's Bike Week events - Ride with Community Leaders. Start at 9:45 (press conference) at the Southside Neigborhood Center (1300 6th St S) and then spend a couple of hours riding La Crosse's south side with Mayor Tim Kabat, Wisconsin Bike Fed's Executive Director, Dave Cieslewicz, and lots of our neighbors. 

On Wednesday, June 7 it's Feminism on Tap (I think - I can't read their FB page).

See the award-winning documentary, Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution on Thursday, June 8 at 7 p.m. at the People's Food Co-op (315 Fifth Avenue South). 

Friday, June 9 is Citizens Climate Lobby Call In Day (You don't have to go anywhere! Just call your legislators and tell them to take action on climate - details provided at link above). It's also the first day of the People's Summit in Chicago (if anyone is going to this, please consider writing a report for Coulee Progressives). In La Crosse, as part of the city's Artspire events, there will be music and dance provide by Ho-Chunk and Hmong dancers and musicians followed by a performance by Shoeless Revolution.

This week on the national stage, pundits are anticipating major revelations during national security testimony. But, given the lack of will by Republicans in Congress to hold anyone in the Trump administration accountable for anything, will it make a difference? Meanwhile young people who protested in Washington, DC during the Trump inauguration have been super charged with major felonies and face decades in prison. It's not clear if any were using chalk.

Input for Community Block Grants sought

From City of La Crosse web site:

We hope you will take time to learn more about our plans for our CDBG/HOME Program. This program continues to be critical for the City and its residents. This year, the City will continue to revitalize La Crosse’s Neighborhoods, help struggling families gain greater self-sufficiency, and create economic and housing opportunities for its residents. For every $1 spent in CDBG and HOME resources, the City and its partners will leverage an additional $3.57 in other sources of funding.  

The City of La Crosse is now accepting comments on its 2017 CDBG/HOME Action Plan until June 30, 2017. Please submit your comments on the plan here.

2017 Funding and Goals

2017 CDBG/HOME Action Plan

An abundance of riches

Those who attended this weekend's Democratic Party of Wisconsin (DPW) state convention were faced with a situation we rarely encounter these days - an election where more than one of the candidates running actually seemed like a good choice (not the least worst choice, but a good choice). To be sure, there were some not so great choices (defined here as those who want to close the party to progressive, new voices and ideas), but overall, it was nice to know that there are people of all ages, incomes, colors, genders, and situations all around the state who believe in government, public service, social investments, and our state's motto, Forward (and its predecessor, "Civilization Succeeds Barbarism")!

Maybe the best thing that happened was the overwhelming turnout for the organizing meeting of the DPW Progressive Caucus. Founded by Matthew La Ronge of Stevens Point, who was elected as chair, the new caucus attracted more than 200 party members. They packed a conference room to elect officers and agree a constitution. Despite some efforts to stall the finalization of the caucus, those who attended overwhelmingly agreed that we want and need a Progressive Caucus. We were told that the final steps in the process, approval by DPW officials, was a probability. If you are a party member and would like to be part of this caucus, please call 7153038479, contact them on FB Messenger, or email us and we'll make sure to connect you with the group. If you are not a party member, see below**.

At a pre-convention meeting of state progressives, Nate Timm, John Stanley, and others affiliated with the Wisconsin Grassroots Network talked about the work they have already undertaken to organize and motivate progressive minded voters across the state. One exciting initiative is the Wisconsin Sign Info project which produces yard and barn signs on specific issues and directs people to a website where more information is given. If you would like to help with WISignInfo.com or any other grassroots project, please complete the form at their website.

We may also have several good candidates running for governor very soon. Many Kathleen Vinehout for Governor stickers and signs were in evidence at the convention. Vinehout, state senator from District 31, ran in the 2012 Democratic primary (after the recall) where she came in third. She did not run in 2014 due to injuries suffered in a car accident. Over the weekend, Madison Mayor Paul Soglin also indicated he might be interested in running for governor. 

Mike McCabe, a founder and former director of the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign and current head of Blue Jean Nation, will probably officially announce his candidacy this summer. Groups around the state are working to lay the groundwork for his probable campaign. (There is a McCabe group in the Coulee Region - their next meeting is on Wednesday, June 14 at 6:30 p.m.  at 2550 Edgewood Place in La Crosse. Please RSVP if you plan to attend this organizing and brainstorming session.)

** We have an opportunity to change the make up and the direction of the state party and the national party. This means we can help to choose good candidates, help to ensure free and fair primaries, help to demand financial transparency and accountability, and work to remodel the party into one that truly represents the interests of workers, farmers, students, public servants, parents, children, the elderly. immigrants, and all citizens of every creed, color and gender.

You can join every other advocacy or activist group you want, but I believe unless you join and get active in the party that produces the candidates we vote for and approves their agendas, you are not doing all you can to work for a progressive future. The people need to choose the candidates and the agendas need to reflect the needs of the people.

The La Crosse County Democratic Party will hold its annual picnic/fundraiser on Monday evening, June 19 at 5:30 p.m. at Copeland Park. Brats/dogs and beverages will be provided. Bring some food to share. Suggested donation is $10 per person. Many local elected officials will be there and you can talk about your concerns and ideas with them. You can join the party at this meeting if you wish. If everyone who votes for, works for, and/or donates to candidates would join the party that sponsors them, we will have a better chance of ensuring that those candidates represent our interests and win.