Wisconsin holds vigils, protests for Renee Good

There were at least 500 events nationwide on Saturday, and nearly 1,200 total over the weekend, that were part of “ICE Out for Good,” a national coalition of groups organizing, they say, for moral witness in opposition to ICE in the wake of the killing of Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis last week.

That coalition includes Indivisible, MoveOn Civic Action, the American Civil Liberties Union, Voto Latino, United We Dream, 50501, the Disappeared in America Campaign of the Not Above the Law coalition.

A YouGov poll conducted last week show 40% of adults “strongly disapprove” of ICE and 12% “somewhat disapprove.”

In another poll question, 51% said ICE’s methods are “too forceful” while 27% said they’re “about right,” and another 10% said “not forceful enough.”

Civic Media’s reporters were on the ground across the state.

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Madison holds vigil on Capitol steps

In Madison, an unofficial count of roughly 1,500 gathered on the State St. Capitol steps for a vigil on Friday. Some had brought electric candles. Others dodged wax dripping from the real thing.

“I trust Paw Patrol more than ICE,” read one sign. Pink signs lined the steps, listing the names of others who have died in ICE custody. Others had images of Renee Nicole Good.

“We are here to express solidarity across communities. We are here to call for accountability and change. We are here to connect people to concrete next steps. This is not a spectacle. This is not reactive chaos,” an organizer with Voces de la Frontera told the crowd. They helped organize this vigil and had organized a similar protest outside the ICE facility in Milwaukee earlier in the week.

~ Chali Pittman

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Milwaukee holds vigil the same night

In Milwaukee on Friday, an early crowd of around 400 swelled to at least 1,000 as demonstrators wound through the streets of downtown Milwaukee.

They represented a wide diversity of age and racial groups, but voiced a familiar message: concern with a perceived leniency and lack of accountability displayed by federal immigration officials under the Trump administration. 

“Donald Trump, let’s be clear! Immigrants are welcome here!,” they chanted to drumbeats as the procession moved.

Milwaukee middle school teacher Will Fitzgerald said recent tensions have not gone unnoticed by his students. “I’ve worked at schools on the southside in which students are afraid every day of their lives. They hear about their neighbors being targeted by ICE or accosted on the street. And that anxiety is very real.”

He added that while these dynamics have the ability to demoralize students, they also have the ability to inspire people of all ages to take action through organization and action such as school or workplace walkouts.

~ Mario Koran

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More protest in Milwaukee suburbs

On Saturday in Greenfield, a protest at the intersection of 76th Street and Layton Avenue drew roughly 100 people. Snow pelted faces. Boots sank into muddy parkways.

One man held a shovel while others carried signs. Others waved flags as flavors flashed on the nearby frozen custard marquee. One sign read, “MELT ICE.”

In Brookfield, 200 more protesters lined Bluemound Road near the Brookfield Shopping Center. Puddles of water collected along the curbs and spilled into the streets as snow continued to fall.

Despite the weather, participants came well prepared, wearing thick layers, snow boots, scarves, and hats, many dusted with snow and dealing with fogged-up glasses.

~ Jennie Brand

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In Oshkosh

At a candlelight vigil in Oshkosh last Thursday, organizers gathered despite the pouring rain.

It was organized by “Peaceful Patriots,” a non-partisan group that provides a venue for protesting, rallying, and gathering for the Fox Valley and Northeastern Wisconsin.  Danny Schierl is the founder and organizer of the group.

“We’re gathered here not only to honor her (Renee Good) and what she was doing,” Schierl said. “ She was just a person! But also to show solidarity with Minneapolis.”

“To watch the reaction of our government who is supposed to be protecting its citizens from its law enforcement, is heartbreaking,” said Jennifer, who declined to give her last name out of a fear of consequences at work.

~ Lisa Hale

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In Wisconsin Rapids

Several dozen gathered on the corner of Lincoln and the East Riverview Expressway on Saturday, as part of a regularly-scheduled protest group.

 ”We are out here protesting every week for the actions of the Trump administration. We don’t agree with them, but we’re here, especially today because of the brutal killing of Renee Good,” said organizer Kris Dauenhauer.

On ICE, “they need to take their masks off. They need to identify themselves, and they need to stop being so cruel,” said participant Paula Klevene.

~ Melissa Kaye