Posted inNeighbor Spotlight

Neighbor Spotlight • Vikki Porter

Story and Photo by Suzanne Zipperer
People come to community service and activism in different ways. For many, it’s the idealism of youth tied with a strong ego that tells you that you can change the world. Others face an obstacle or tragedy that defines their mission – a loved one killed by a drunk driver; their child is challenged with a disability; a visit to a landfill opens their eyes. 

Posted inNeighborhood News

A Call for Federal Investigation of MPD

By George Martin

How can we talk about torture at Abu Gharib and not talk about police brutality right here at home? Having been to Iraq and lived in Milwaukee, there are too many similarities. Peace Action WI has joined with the NAACP, MICAH, ACLU and other community organizations in working together for a federal investigation of our Milwaukee Police Department MPD) and institutional change.

Posted inNeighborhood News

Residents and Police – An Unnecessary Divide

by Rick Deines,

“Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible”  – St. Francis of Assisi 

The revelation of the mistreatment of Derek Williams while in police custody has surfaced the need for opening ongoing community-wide conversations. My hope is that we can find a way to begin a different kind of conversation that will spread across neighborhoods and include rank and file officers, the beat cops, and the Union, but in particular the average citizens who are often unheard in the discussion.