We, the Democratic Party of Wisconsin’s 8th Congressional District and our county parties—Brown, Calumet, Door, Kewaunee, Marinette, Menominee, Oconto, Outagamie, Shawano, and Waupaca—stand in unequivocal solidarity with the people of Los Angeles and all communities across this country targeted by the current administration’s inhumane immigration raids and militarized crackdowns.
The deployment of armed federal agents and military personnel at schools, workplaces, courthouses, and even abducting people off the streets is not only morally indefensible but dangerously authoritarian. The override of California Governor Gavin Newsom’s authority over his own National Guard is unprecedented, unconstitutional, and a direct assault on our federal system. The President of the United States has no place acting as the
commander-in-chief of a state’s national guard against the will of its elected leadership.
This is not a war zone. These are American neighborhoods.
The administration claimed that mass deportations would target “the worst of the worst”—criminals and gang members. Instead, we see the targeting of working families, children, caregivers, and neighbors who contribute to our communities every day. The cruelty is not a flaw of this policy—it is the point.
Furthermore, these actions betray the administration’s supposed support for local law enforcement. By sidelining sheriffs, mayors, and governors, the federal government reveals a deep mistrust of the very law enforcement officers they claim to champion.
We call this what it is: inhumane, un-American, and an outrageous misuse of our military and tax dollars.
At a time when families are struggling with the cost of living, infrastructure needs remain unmet, and schools go underfunded, we ask: Why are millions of our taxpayer dollars being wasted on this kind of “military operation” within our borders? The people of Northeast Wisconsin see this for what it is—“waste, fraud and abuse” on the most dangerous scale.
We call on Representative Tony Wied, Senator Ron Johnson, and Senator Tammy Baldwin to condemn this misuse of our armed forces and stand against the militarization of immigration enforcement on U.S. soil. We are also aware of rumored ICE activity in Brown County. We are actively working to verify the information and similar information as we receive it throughout the district. We are monitoring the situation closely. We will provide updates once we have more concrete and confirmed details.
To remain silent in the face of injustice is to be complicit. We will not look away.
On behalf of the Democratic Party Organizations of the 8th Congressional District,
Julie Hancock, Chair, Democratic Party of the 8th Congressional District of Wisconsin
Christy Welch, Chair, Democratic Party of Brown County
Doreen Woelfel, Chair, Democratic Party of Calumet County
Kris Sadur, Chair, Democratic Party of Door County
Stan Johnson, Chair, Democratic Party of Kewaunee County
Paula Gruszynski, Chair, Democratic Party of Marinette County
Mari Flanagan, Chair, Democratic Party of Oconto County
Emily Tseffos, Chair, Democratic Party of Outagamie County
Jan Koch, Chair, Democratic Party of Shawano-Menominee Counties
Stuart Walter, Chair, Democratic Party of Waupaca County
