Staff, Author at Milwaukee Independent

Civil Rights groups challenge promise to send Wisconsin troops to border with Mexico

Posted by Staff | Apr 11, 2018

A diverse coalition of community leaders from Southeastern Wisconsin voiced their opposition on April 10 over the pledge by Governor Scott Walkers to send the men and woman who serve in the Wisconsin National Guard to patrol the United States and Mexico border if asked by Donald Trump. Facing overwhelming opposition on his proposals to build more walls and further militarize border communities with Mexico, President Trump recently took steps to send up to 4,000 American troops to the border as support federal agents. On April 9, Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker spoke on a conservative radio program, and said...

Court program used in Milwaukee for family drug treatment becomes statewide model

Posted by Staff | Apr 11, 2018 |

Governor Scott Walker signed Wisconsin Act 203 on April 3, legislation that will pave the way for counties across the state to implement family drug treatment court programs. The legislation, authored by Representatives Jessie Rodriguez and Evan Goyke, create the infrastructure for an alternative drug rehabilitation program that focuses on developing sober households. “All throughout the state and in every community we are witnessing the harmful effects of the drug epidemic, tearing families apart and depriving children of growing up in a loving, safe home,” said Representative Rodriguez. “The family drug treatment court is an innovative program that will...

“Antartica, WI” navigates the ice bergs of Milwaukee’s racial divisions

Posted by Staff | Apr 10, 2018 |

“There lives a very special young man in Milwaukee, who sees the city more deeply than others. He sees so much to love about his hometown, but he also a witness to its fractures. When this special boy begins to see icebergs floating into Milwaukee, he alone must find a way to help his community navigate through the dangerous waters.” The contemporary folk tale from internationally recognized playwright Finegan Kruckemeyer was designed to inspire conversations with the Milwaukee community. The First Stage production of Antarctica, WI opened on April 6 at the Todd Wehr Theater. The world premiere of Antarctica,...

“Last Men in Aleppo” to be featured at 2018 Milwaukee Muslim Film Festival

Posted by Staff | Apr 9, 2018 |

The Milwaukee Muslim Women’s Coalition (MMWC)recently announced its 4th Annual Milwaukee Muslim Film Festival to be held from April 22 through May 7. The event is one of America’s leading International Muslim Film Festivals, with the 2018 lineup screening 10 showings of 7 films at 4 venues in Milwaukee. The intention of the festival has been to use film as a way to open conversations on topics that are relevant to matters occurring in the world today, and developing an informed dialogue regarding Muslims and the Islamic world. “Too often the conversation about Islam is based on bias news...

Victory Garden Initiative sees fruits of its community mission with Farmhouse expansion

Posted by Staff | Apr 9, 2018 |

On April 13, Victory Garden Initiative (VGI) will close on the purchase of a building across the street from their Urban Farm. The building located at 249 East Concordia Avenue will be transformed into the Farmhouse to help people grow their own food. VGI recently announced their Gather and Create Campaign: a two-phase capital campaign to move towards developing the Victory Garden Initiative Urban Campus in the Harambee neighborhood. “Victory Garden Initiative started nearly 10 years ago, in the basement of my house. The building, a former speakeasy from the times of prohibition, has a sense of history with...

Fidel Verdin: Hip Hop, political culture, and the bitter acceptance of truth

Posted by Staff | Apr 6, 2018 |

Given a politically impactful name by his self-described revolutionary parents, Fidel Verdin uses hip hop and other urban arts to engage Milwaukee’s youth in social justice and personal healing. As the creative force behind TRUE Skool, he seeks to uplift the most vulnerable kids in the community through empowerment and leadership workshops. But for all his program’s success and impact in the lives of the young people it serves, the work done by his organization is often marginalized instead of supported in the same way as the generation of local youth have been discarded by institutional racism. © Video©...