Author: Editor

Generations of the local Polish community memorialized at Saint Adalbert’s in the Garden District

Like many ethnic groups that settled in Milwaukee in the early days of its frontier foundation, the Polish Diaspora and their descendants on the south side wanted a final resting place that would serve the community. Catholic Archbishop M. Heiss bought 30 acres of land just south of Holy Trinity Cemetery for what was to become Saint Adalbert’s Cemetery on December 7, 1888. Because it served all the local Polish parishes, it was commonly called the Polish Union Cemetery until Archbishop Messmer restored its original consecration name, Saint Adalbert’s. The cemetery memorializes the monk of Trier, Saint Adalbert, who...

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Wisconsinites visit state legislators on WAVE’s Day of Action to demand gun violence prevention laws

Nearly two hundred members of the Wisconsin Anti-Violence Effort (WAVE) and their coalition partners visited the State Capitol on October 24, urging legislators one by one to support two lifesaving, evidence-based bills that would help prevent gun violence. The Gun Violence Prevention Day of Action began with an orientation on gun violence, held a couple blocks from the Capitol building in Madison at Bethel Lutheran Church. WAVE leaders and invited speakers offered educational sessions to the citizens, who addended from all over the state, about how to lobby their elected officials on the proposed legislation. “Now, more than ever,...

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Richard Taylor: Crafting metal as monuments to history and creativity

Using metal as a three-dimensional canvas, artist Richard Taylor recently sculpted an iconic series to immortalize Milwaukee’s People of the Road. Taylor has crafted monumental public sculptures, related to his experiences with people and architecture, into visual souvenirs that have earned him recognition across the country. The influences of music and poetry can also be seen woven into the fabric of his compositions, with the large-scale shapes designed to compliment the natural environment surrounding their installation. The Milwaukee Independent talked with Taylor about his artistic passion and most recent historical project. | Q&A with Richard Taylor Milwaukee Independent: What...

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I Want My MTV: 11th Annual Milwaukee Film Festival opens with nostalgic look at the music video network

Movie enthusiasts waited in lines around the block on the city’s east side for the opening night of the 11th annual Milwaukee Film Festival on October 17, hosted at the festival-owned historic Oriental Theater. “This is our 11th year, and very early on there were a lot of people who didn’t think we were going to last. And I was thinking there’s a lot of reasons that Milwaukee Film is like Nigel Tufnel’s equipment,” said Chris Abele, founder of the film festival. “Just like Nigel’s amp, Milwaukee Film goes to 11.” 2019 is expected to be the largest festival...

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City leaders commemorate the 75th anniversary of Milwaukee’s Equal Rights Commission

Milwaukee celebrated the 75th Anniversary of its Equal Rights Commission (ERC) on October 16 in the rotunda of the historic City Hall, highlighting a mission of inclusivity and the resulting impact of its efforts for the local community. The city’s ERC was created in 1944 during the closing days of World War II. It was originally founded as the Mayor’s Committee on Inter-Racial Relations, by then Milwaukee Mayor John Bohn. The purpose was to form a committee to examine issues with the city’s growing black community, make recommendations on how to improve those issues, and support policies that would...

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Exiled: Milwaukee community screens Mike Seely’s film on the human cost of deporting combat veterans

Forward Latino and UWM MAVRC hosted a special community screening of the Mike Seely documentary “Exiled: America’s Deported Veterans” at the United Community Center on October 8, featuring a talkback session with the director after the film. “Exiled” tells the stories of two US military veterans who were honorably discharged and deported Mexico. As a former paratrooper, Hector Barajas is on a mission to raise awareness about the deported veteran issue, and reunite with his daughter in Compton, California. Army veteran Mauricio Hernandez struggles with severe PTSD as a result of his time fighting in Afghanistan, but in Tijuana,...

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