Madison Commons (https://madisoncommons.org/2020/06/)
Freedom Inc., Urban Triage and The Party for Socialism and Liberation partnered to hold the “Pride for Black Lives” event on Friday, June 12th around the Capitol Square. Self-described “MC” Bianca Gomez announced that this event was put together in just 48 hours, as many cities were forced to cancel usual Pride festivities due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Knowing that artists have been especially struggling during the coronavirus pandemic, Martinez White has created a stand-alone fund for performing artists, painters, musicians, writers, dancers, graffiti artists, and more to give them the support they need to keep doing the great work that they do.
Racial Justice
Tony Evers, Mandela Barnes unveil bills banning police chokeholds and limiting use of force, Mitchell Schmidt, WSJ, June 20. City Council president announces task force on critical issues facing Black community, Abigail Becker, CT, June 20. Juneteenth rally-goers march to Dane County Jail, Howard Hardee, WSJ, June 20. Black, Latino COVID-19 disparities bring attention to broad health inequities, David Wahlberg, WSJ, June 20. While Madison youth march, others offer support, supplies, food, Abigail Becker, CT, June 20.
Chaser Bar & Grille and The Double U reopened Tuesday, May 26, as COVID-19 infections continue to rise and fall daily in Dane County and Madison. After the announcement of Emergency Order #3 by the Order of Public Health of Madison and Dane County (PHMDC), many businesses are beginning to open back up while adhering to the social distancing guidelines which limit restaurants and bars to 25 percent capacity.
In the wake of years of police brutality and racial violence against Black people across the country, the Dane County TimeBank will continue to push for change through a letter-writing campaign aimed at informing community members.
The Dane County Time Bank, which has served as a center for restorative justice, creating opportunities and tools to seek change and healing for the Madison community, began developing their letter writing campaign in December. With an overarching goal of developing a larger community voice, the campaign seeks to establish accountability for issues which perpetuate harm on Black people.
Protests and Racial Justice
Health care professionals march in Saturday rally, Abigail Becker, Capital Times, June 14. Madison under renewed pressure to reform police, Dean Mosiman, Wisconsin State Journal, June 14. Wisconsin DOJ started collecting police-use-of-force data in 2020, Briana Reilly, CT, June 13. Monona Grove marches for Black Lives Matter, Scott Girard, CT, June 11. Community organizers rail against video of Madison mayor sympathizing with police during unrest, Elizabeth Beyer, WSJ, June 10.
On day number seven of protests in Madison, thousands turned out in representation of the faith community.
The Black Lives Matter Solidarity march organized by the African American Church Council started at the Bethel Lutheran Church Sunday evening at the intersection of University Avenue and Park Street and ended at the state Capitol. Every nine minutes the group, which stretched for blocks, stopped in recognition of the 8 minutes and 46 seconds in which a white police officer knelt on the neck of George Floyd. Mackenzie Krumme was there.
MPD use-of-force policy aligns with bill Evers is pushing, Brianna Reilly, Capital Times, June 7.
Seven days of protest: Demonstrations continue in downtown Madison, Abigail Becker, CT, June 6; Seventh day of Madison protests honors birthday of woman killed by police, in photos, Steve Apps, WSJ, June 6; Why Madison is marching: 'I feel like we're not real citizens,' Kayla Huynh, WSJ, June 6;