Barbara Dahlgren gave a presentation about Mass Surveillance in Milwaukee at the April Meeting. The talk will be available on our YouTube, and here is the link to the slides:
Greater Milwaukee Green Party Endorses Wisconsin United To Amend
The movement to amend the Constitution to guarantee the rights and protections within only to people rather than corporations has a rich history of Green Party involvement since its founding. Our own Ben Manski and David Cobb were founders. But at our September meeting, we had the privilege of reconnecting with a movement leader, George Penn, from Wisconsin United To Amend. Mr. Penn devotes his retirement years to getting money out of our political system. Paraphrasing the start of his talk, he asked us about some issues we found important like demanding an end to the endless wars, sound environmental policy, anti-poverty programming, and more. But he posed a question, “How’s that going?” He presented some studies to show why it is so difficult to make movement on popular issues: money talks, and corporations spend a lot of it to get what they want and having politicians deny us what we want.
Penn explained that in 2010, the infamous Citizens United Supreme Court decision affirmed corporations as people and money as speech. Spending on elections continues to increase from $6 billion in 2016 to `$14 billion in 2020. A Princeton University study found in 2015 that between 1990 and 2010, there was no correlation how popular a policy was with ordinary people and the legislation that was passed. It also found a very strong correlation between the popularity of policy among wealthy people and what was passed. More information can be found on their website.
The amendments that Wisconsin United To Amend (and other national affiliates) have offered as a solution are:
- Only human beings are endowed with Constitutional rights, not corporations.
- Money is not speech, and limiting it in elections is not against the 1st Amendment.
This broad coalition includes all kinds of groups including small businesses, faith organizations, and more. Wisconsin United to Amend is looking for more coalition partners continuously to stand behind its principles.
While the federal government has not entertained these amendments, the other way to codify this into law is community by community and state by state. Wisconsin has seen this introduced in its state house every session since 2013. Lots of cities across Wisconsin have passed resolutions telling the Wisconsin legislature to call this question, and 177 have done this across all states. The highest referendum vote was 91% in favor. The City of Milwaukee has not yet endorsed this proposal, so Milwaukee Greens have taken up the charge to help its introduction in Milwaukee as well as other nearby municipalities like Franklin.
If you would like to help to end corporate control of our government, join us today!
Micah Leavitt for Congress | WI CD4 | Green Party write-in
Micah is passionate about standing with working class families to end wealth inequality, to increase political accountability, for public servants to be responsive to constituents. He is working to stop the forever wars and restore the world to a just peace. Micah also fights to end the war on drugs and release those charged with petty drug crimes.
Goals
- slash the Pentagon budget by 75%
- immediate ceasefire in Gaza | #noceasefirenovote
- restore civil liberties: right to privacy; jury trials; right to protest outside of so called free speech zones
- support freedom of speech/press/Internet; whistleblowers
- global nuclear de-escalation
- abolish the CIA and military-industrial deep state
- restore state department diplomacy — make negotiating peace its main objective
- stop the war inflation
- reform big pharma: reform CDC, FDA, HHS, NIAID
- raise the minimum wage to $25/hour
- legalize marijuana; use tax revenue for free rehabilitation centers to attack the opioid crisis
- invest in renewable energy
- stop NATO expansion
- not one more penny for war in Ukraine
- address unacceptable wealth inequality
- End the Cuba blockade and take Cuba off the international terrorist list
Happy Pride Month!
By: Barb Eisenberg
As the world celebrates the last week of Pride month, the Greater Milwaukee Green Party (GMGP), a longtime supporter of LGBTQIA rights, acknowledges that progress has been made in the fight for diversity and equality, but there is still much work to be done.
We believe LGBT people deserve equal rights, and that all people deserve a basic standard of living. Those who have been marginalized in the past have the most to gain as we fight for all people’s rights. Besides fighting for the right for all to drink clean water, access nutritious food, live in safe housing, access medical care options, and live in peace in a clean environment, our platform calls specifically for LGBT equality.
Enshrining the Marriage Equality Act into state law is an important way to protect the rights LGBT Americans have gained.
The GMGP believes there is strength in diversity and that the health and well-being of all individuals, regardless of sex, gender, sexual orientation, or gender identity, characteristics and expression (per our platform) and our environment should be the focus of political debate and cooperation.
What can still be done? The GMGP is small, but we are mighty! We played a primary role in collecting over 1300 signatures to get our candidate, Chester Todd, on the November ballot for the first congressional district. We look forward to continue working with our LGBT brothers and sisters in petitioning, educating voters on issues (hosting live speakers or documentary films), proposing legislation, then seeking support in our state legislature.
We celebrate and stand with the LGBTQIA community in solidarity. Please join us to do more than paint rainbows in June. Together we can build a Green Milwaukee that stands for human rights every day.
A Year of Peace And Justice Inspired By Dr. King
Monday I had the privilege of witnessing the 23rd Annual MLK Day Justice Program at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Milwaukee hosted by the Milwaukee Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Justice Coalition founded by Julie Enslow, Brian Verdin, and the late, great George Martin. Many years I have attended, the room was so packed that it was standing room only. Considering it was about 5 degrees out and so icy that the schools were still closed on Tuesday, it was not as well attended this year. However, there were probably about 100 people including a handful of Green activists.
Fox 6 was there recording the event, but they left before one of the most important highlights of the program, though they probably caught the banner behind the speakers calling for peace in Palestine. The program had a panel of elders who could share their personal experiences with Dr. King as they marched for Civil Rights. Joyce Ellwanger shared that she joined the Montgomery march on the outskirts of town. They walked with about fifteen thousand people singing and chanting. She shared that people came out at their doorways and front porches and clapped, made power signs, put hoses out to the sidewalk to get the marchers water, and some joined the march along the way. They ended up right in front of Dexter Avenue Church a block away. George Wallace refused to meet with them. Dr. King gave a speech about how long it would take:
“How long until we get justice…not long because No lie can live forever.”
Jarrett English asked the panel what Martin would say about events of the day, particularly about the horrific situation in Gaza. What should regular ppl do, and what is the path forward for peace?”
Joe Ellwanger said Dr. King would tell Hamas and Israel that violence is not the answer. King would say the 3 most demonic forces in our culture are materialism, racism, militarism. Revenge begets revenge. He would be calling for a ceasefire. He would support any organization that takes a strong stand for a ceasefire and moving toward a workable solution for long range sustainability. Both groups (Israelis and Palestinians) need a society with equal rights, equal protections, etc. He would think of it like the European colonizers: Israel treats Palestine similarly and it needs to be brought to an end.
Joyce said, “I think Dr. King might have been at the Hague with South Africa today.” The attendees cheered at this statement.
Lauryn Cross, a young Milwaukee activist helping to emcee the event with Mr. English, read King’s statement from Mother Jones Magazine about the 1967 six day war. They reported King’s words on ABC Sunday in which he stated that “Israel will need to give up the conquered territory.”
Five groups who have been working for peace for Palestinians were also recognized during the program, and each had the opportunity to say a few words. The speaker from Jewish Voices for Peace dedicated the award to Gaza, Palestine, and to leaders like George Martin. She said, “Zionism is not Judaism. It is the fourth of the triplet king spoke against (materialism, racism and militarism). Anti Zionism is not antisemitism. Stop weaponizing antisemitism to kill Palestinians.”
Milwaukee Muslim Women’s Coalition’s speaker was born in Palestine: “This is a genocide that has been going on against Palestinians for 75 years. It has been one hundred days and one hundred thousand are killed, injured, or missing. The U.S. marks this day by crying for the hostages. The eyes of the world are now wide open. Israel will eventually pay the moral price… because injustice cannot continue.” She also recognized South Africa for standing up for Palestinian lives. The other organizations recognized were Students for Justice in Palestine and Students for a Democratic society from UW-Milwaukee.
Near the end of the program, there were the following action items: Students for a Democratic Society is part of the Coalition to March on the Republican National Convention July 15th. Greater Milwaukee Green Party is also part of the coalition, and an even broader one led by Green Party leader and renowned housing activist Cheri Honkala with the Poor People’s Economic Human Rights Campaign. They plan to march on the RNC, but also march all the way to Chicago to the Democratic National Convention as well, August 19th, in order to call out the duopoly and its crimes against humanity. Our own Pam Richards spoke on behalf of Peace Action about actions they are taking. She conveyed her outrage at our politicians for their refusal to act. Peace Action had rallied at Gwen Moore’s office about a week ago and were asked to leave on threat of arrest. The planned to deliver a letter to her office Tuesday at noon presenting the eighty-five page document of charges from South Africa regarding Israel’s genocide of the Palestinians. Peace Action’s letter demands that the U.S. end its complicity in genocide by calling for the end of military and weapons aid to Israel.
Another notable part of the program was that Julie Enslow and Brian Verdin honored Green Party elder, George Martin, who was a co-founder with the other two of the Milwaukee MLK Jr. Coalition twenty-three years ago. Brian shouted out George Martin’s involvement in the Green Party and repeated some of Martin’s favorite Green chants for peace and ecology. Julie remembered his national and international peace work, his work on healthcare access earlier in his life, and work on climate change in his final years. George was just a kid when Dr. King marched on Washington. He just happened to end up feet from Dr. King at the front on the steps of the national mall that day.
Finally, Brian Verdin spoke about King’s militant organizing. He said that whenever there is a vacuum in organizing, we must step in to fill it. Dr king spoke about not being mesmerized by uncertainty. The greatest purveyor of violence was our own government, and he called for a revolution of values. Dr. King said we must be prepared to match actions with words. We all must protest, and he called for the fierce urgency of now.
The Greater Milwaukee Greens, with our deep roots in the Civil Rights Movement, have Dr. King’s calls to action in the fabric of our organization. Our own platform recognizes the importance of justice in the fight for peace. Due to the 2024 election season, we have multiple opportunities to advocate for peace and justice using electoral means by giving Milwaukeeans peace candidates to challenge the pro-war duopoly. We call for state and federal congressional candidates to take up this call to action. But Greens go beyond waiting every 2-4 years to advocate common sense peace policy. Past and present Green voters and Green organizers actively participate in so many community organizations and efforts to fulfill that urgency of now for the vast majority of people who can’t wait four years to get their basic needs met. There is always so much more to be done! So join us in 2024 to help us create the world we want with peace and justice at the center.
Assange Extradition Hearing Wrapup
Intro
I’ve been following Assange and wikileaks for years — both the supportive and critical coverage.
Assange’s collateral murder Iraq slaughter video engaged me.
The Ecuador president-change from Rafael Correa to Lenín Moreno in Ecuador lead to the brutal British emprisonment of Assange; this disturbs me — is morally wrong, and a threat to journalists and freedom of the press worldwide — the Hawkins campaign agrees..
This post was triggered by a Milwaukee researcher,a retired academic who covers the Assange situation daily.
I’m familiar with all the sources (except for Charles Glass). The content was finalized by me, but largely written by this researcher.
I introduce you to high integrity, writers and websites that counter the legacy media propaganda.
Assange hearing Coverage | good sources
https://shadowproof.com/2020/09/21/guide-to-journalists-assange-trial-upset-by-media-blackout/
- Kevin Gosztola
-
https://shadowproof.com/author/kgosztola/
Shadowproof managing editor Kevin Gosztola woke up every morning for four weeks in September to report on WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange’s extradition trial at the Old Bailey Criminal Courthouse in London.
- Craig Murray
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https://wikispooks.com/wiki/Craig_Murray#_ba6793509f3a9343b276e0446f18acd3
- Nils Melzer
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https://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/law/staff/nilsmelzer/
UN Special Rapporteur on Torture; Human Rights Chair, Geneva Academy; Professor of International Law, University of Glasgow; Vice-President IIHL, Sanremo
https://www.ohchr.org/en/issues/torture/srtorture/pages/nilsmelzer.aspx
https://wikispooks.com/wiki/Nils_Melzer
In 20 years of work with victims of war, violence and political persecution I have never seen a group of democratic States ganging up to deliberately isolate, demonise and abuse a single individual for such a long time and with so little regard for human dignity and the rule of law.
Swedish legal issues
Assange was accused of sexual misconduct by the Swedish authorities by two women — in fact there have been no charges, and there is evidence of a “setup” to smear him. Nils Melzer, the U.N. Special Rapporteur on torture, walks us through a detailed timeline:
https://www.republik.ch/2020/01/31/nils-melzer-about-wikileaks-founder-julian-assange
A made-up rape allegation and fabricated evidence in Sweden, pressure from the UK not to drop the case, a biased judge, detention in a maximum security prison, psychological torture – and soon extradition to the U.S., where he could face up to 175 years in prison for exposing war crimes. For the first time, the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture, Nils Melzer, speaks in detail about the explosive findings of his investigation into the case of Wikileaks founder Julian Assange.
cruel and unique punishment | illegal privacy violations should invalidate the hearing
Daniel Ellsburg’s case was thrown out for illegal privacy violations; Assange’s treatment
is similar. Listen to Charles Glass interview by Scott Horton:
https://dissentradio.com/radio/20_10_09_glass.mp3
Ellsberg interviewed by Kristina Borjesson | his case vs Assange’s
https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/6hxhbk/WB_101620.mp3
Assange hearing summary
In the above @DEAcampaign video, Assange’s father, John Shipton; Assange’s friend and former U.K. Ambassador Craig Murray; Assange’s lawyer, Jen Robinson, current WikiLeaks editor-in-chief Kristinn Hrafnsson: and WikiLeaks ambassador Joseph F. discuss the trial just after the end of the 4 weeks of witness testimony. This 40-minute video is worth the time spent to review key aspects of the testimony presented and key moments in the trial.
Joe Lauria | Editor Consortium News
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and Rebecca Vincent
Reporters without Borders (RSF) was the ONLY journalistic and humanitarian agency that monitored the trial.
After monitoring four weeks of evidence in the US extradition proceedings against Wikileaks publisher Julian Assange, Reporters Without Borders (RSF.org) reiterates concern regarding the targeting of Assange for his contributions to journalism, and calls again for his release. Expert testimony highlighted the political nature of the case against Assange, the US government’s lack of evidence for alleged harm caused, and urgent humanitarian concerns related to Assange’s physical and mental health. RSF also documented extensive barriers to open justice, which marred proceedings. The extradition decision is expected on 4 January 2021.”
Daily Hearing Updates
Reporter access to the hearings was unreasonably difficult — too few in-person slots; burdensome remote access hoops; poor technical implementation.
Craig Murray – Daily Summaries
Craig Murray (@CraigMurrayOrg) – former U.K. Ambassador to Uzbekistan – provided the most literate, informative daily summary by far with his blog posts that start with “Your Man in the Public Gallery.” To see this series of posts search his site for Assange Hearing — searching directly in the search box on his site is also good. Craig was in the courtroom each day along with Julian’s father from 10 am to 4 pm. He went home each day, ate, slept at 7 pm, awoke at 11 – midnight, reviewed his 30 or so pages of notes each day, researched as needed, and then showered dressed and wrote his summary that he posted at 9:30 am each day before walking to the courtroom, up 132 steps. His summaries are magnificent. Here is testimony from “Day 21” by Craig, which is Day 17 or 18 for others (Craig covered the trial in February and just kept counting.) Notice that the URLs are predictable, as in https://www.craigmurray.org.uk/archives/2020/10/your-man-in-the-public-gallery-assange-hearing-day-20.
assange-hearing-day-21 | Oct 1
twenty minutes sufficed for the reading of the “gist” of the astonishing testimony of two witnesses, their identity protected as their lives may be in danger, who stated that the CIA, operating through Sheldon Adelson, planned to kidnap or poison Assange […]
assangedefense.org
AssangeDefense.org or
@DefenseAssange
provided detailed, daily blow-by-blow descriptions of the case they were observing and tweeting out remotely in real time (Select one of the days to open the detailed description.)
I found them to be the most complete. But I would encourage one to read reports from multiple “observers.” — Ann B.
screenshot from https://assangedefense.org/live-blog/
The blog is a “Guide to Testimony in Julian Assange’s Extradition Hearing”.
Here we recap the major arguments and revelations from expert witnesses who testified in Julian Assange’s extradition — and why they matter legally. Topics range from the dangerous threat Assange’s indictment poses to journalism, to the abusive conditions Assange would face in the United States’ prison system, to the politicized nature of the Trump administration’s prosecution.
Green Party | Margaret Flowers commentary on Assange Hearing | Oct 5
https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/clearingthefogradioshow/CtF_Show_10_5_20.mp3?dest-id=122538
My notes from her 10min talk: hearing is: unfair to Assange; no privacy; atty-client talks snooped on; no crime; 175 year sentence; political case; will not release his sources; Assange spied on 24/7 for months. His rights have been violated / not enough time or resources to prepare.
UN Torture Report On Assange Is An Indictment Of Our Entire Society
“The evidence is overwhelming and clear,” Melzer said. “Mr. Assange has been deliberately exposed, for a period of several years, to progressively severe forms of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, the cumulative effects of which can only be described as psychological torture.”
This mistreatment took it’s toll on Assange. I’ve heard several reporters talk about a “rubber head” torture effect. I think he has recovered somewhat, but I understand at one point he was having trouble speaking — even his own name.
Daniel Ellsberg testifies at Assange extradition hearing
Marc Steiner and Kevin Gosztola: