Financial program launches to help Milwaukee residents with pandemic-related economic challenges
Mayor Tom Barrett announced the launch on October 28 of the Financial Navigators Program, a free service to help residents navigate critical financial issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The City of Milwaukee will offer this service in partnership with Riverworks...
Lakefront icon in jeopardy: S/V Denis Sullivan’s sailing days could be over without maintenance
The COVID-19 outbreak shut down the Sailing Vessel Denis Sullivan just weeks before its 20th season was scheduled to begin. With its programming halted, and lacking minimal funds for its maintenance, the sailing days of Wisconsin’s flagship and Great Lakes...
Governor Tony Evers asks Wisconsin residents to stay home and work together to stop spread of COVID-19
Governor Tony Evers delivered a primetime address on November 10, calling for unity and working together in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. The governor’s address came as Wisconsin had yet another record-breaking day in COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and...
State Republicans attempt to smear Wisconsin’s fair election by amplifying unfounded claims on results
In the week after the presidential election, misinformation has circulated on social media and political websites raising unfounded rumors about the integrity of Wisconsin’s election results. “Wisconsin’s election was conducted according to law and in the open,” said...
Dontre Hamilton Park: New proposal could end opposition to renaming Red Arrow Park
Milwaukee-native Dontre Hamilton was 31 years-old at the time of his death, which came on April 30, 2014 when he was shot by police officer Christopher Manney at Red Arrow Park downtown. The social justice protests that erupted after Dontre’s death brought...
COVID COVID COVID and the humiliating failure of America’s latest metaphoric war
“The Fake News Media is riding COVID, COVID, COVID, all the way to the Election. We are rounding the turn.” – Donald J. Trump “More than 225,000 people in this country are dead. More than 100,000 small businesses have closed. Half a million jobs are gone...
How Hope Topples Hate: Courage and resilience during dangerous and uncertain times
I’m tired. Tired of the uncertainty, pain and suffering witnessed each and every day in America. Tired of seeing fear in a child’s eyes when torn from their parent’s arms. Tired of the pandemic-empty streets with people huddled inside for their own safety. Tired of...
Democracy at Work: Milwaukee restaurants offer free food near polling sites to comfort waiting voters
When Adaja Greer-Smith left work in the afternoon to vote in Milwaukee’s April 7 primary, she encountered a line at John Marshall High School that was three hours long. She had not eaten yet and felt a migraine coming on as she sat in her car, waiting for the line to...
Night Lights: Hoan Bridge officially begins illumination along the lakefront every evening
After a three-month installation period, the first phase of the Light the Hoan project concluded with the official lighting of the west side of the bridge on October 22. Residents of Milwaukee and visitors can now enjoy the bright lighting nightly. During the...
A Milwaukee Lynching: Activists to install headstone at unmarked grave of George Marshall Clark
Over the past several years, Milwaukee Independent has used its editorial platform to push for public recognition of George Marshall Clark, and to memorialize the tragedy of his death. In this essay, guest writer Tyrone MackLee Randle Jr. shares his personal story and...
Stop-and-Frisk Continues: Reports says Milwaukee Police have not complied with lawsuit settlement
The Milwaukee Police Department continues to stop and frisk people in a racially discriminatory manner, and is still not compliant with key requirements of its 2018 Settlement Agreement, according to the latest annual report released on September 22 from the Crime and...
Community stakeholders hold voting rallies to “Light Up” Milwaukee and cause “Good Trouble”
Baptist Ministers, Buddhist priests, Mexican immigrants, leaders from the Hmong, Jewish, Muslim and Hindu communities, as well as unions and youth groups, came together on October 19 to light up Milwaukee and mobilize city residents for early voting. The candlelight...
