Contact: Sam Singleton-Freeman, 414-469-9206, sfreeman@vdlf.org
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – Vice President Mike Pence is scheduled to visit Milwaukee Wednesday to hold a fundraiser for Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker. Pence’s visit comes during a time of sweeping attacks on immigrant communities. In Wisconsin, Waukesha County Sheriff Eric Severson appears to be moving forward with plans to turn his deputies into Immigrant and Customs Enforcement (“ICE”) agents through the federal 287g program, which the Trump Administration has massively expanded nationwide. A statewide march is planned for Tuesday, May 1st, in Waukesha to urge Sheriff Severson to reject 287g.
Voces de la Frontera issued the following statement from Executive Director Christine Neumann-Ortiz in response to Pence’s visit:
“When Governor Walker embraces figures like Pence and Trump, he is embracing the politics of white nationalist hate. Governor Walker should be speaking out against 287g and supporting legislation to return driver’s licenses to Wisconsin immigrants. On May 1st, thousands of Wisconsinites will participate in a historic statewide Day without Latinxs and Immigrants general strike and march in Waukesha. Two similar strikes of tens of thousands of people in 2017 defeated Sheriff Clarke and his efforts to bring 287g to Milwaukee County. While we are facing historic attacks against immigrants and refugees — such as an aggressive effort to coerce local government to become an arm of ICE, the repeal of TPS and DACA, and increased deportations and separation of families — we are also witnessing a historic resistance to this assault on our communtiies and values. On May 1st, we have an opportunity to once again stand up to the Trump’s far right agenda and demand that state and local politicians such as Walker and Severson stand with our communities.”
Voces de la Frontera will hold a press conference at 10am CST on Thursday, April 26th, in front of the Waukesha County Courthouse (515 W Moreland Blvd, Waukesha). Voces will also hold a national press call at 11am CST on Thursday, April 26th. The dial-in number is 712-775-7035, and the passcode is 104997#. Organizers will discuss preparations under way for the May 1st march and announce a preliminary list of more than 50 businesses expected to close on May 1st. The May 1st march itself will start at 10am on Tuesday, May 1st, from Cutler Park in Waukesha.
Voces de la Frontera is a membership-based community organization led by low-wage workers, immigrants and students, whose mission is to protect and expand civil rights and workers’ rights through leadership development and community organizing. Voces’ student arm is Youth Empowered in the Struggle (YES). To learn more visit vdlf.org
