Author: Correspondent

Bounce Milwaukee takes public health initiative by closing temporarily over growing pandemic concerns

Due to the massive increases of COVID-19 cases in the last few weeks, Bounce Milwaukee has decided to temporarily close to the public. Owners said that the prioritization of profits over public health has been inexcusably irresponsible and forced small businesses into a position of re-opening due to the absence of substantive economic aid. “While we have taken every precaution to protect our staff, and have had no cases, we’ve seen a sizable portion of the public disregard community safety and we are not willing to risk our employees’ health. We would rather be proactive than reactive in caring...

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Masks and Distancing: Democratic National Convention outlines safety plan for Milwaukee event

Photo by Gage Skidmore and licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 Everyone attending the Democratic National Convention in Milwaukee next month will have to wear a face mask, consent to daily testing for COVID-19, fill out questionnaires and maintain a physical distance from others. Organizers of the convention released details of the coronavirus safety plan on July 27, three weeks before the August 17 start of the four-day event. The convention has been scaled down from original plans and now will be mostly online with only a few hundred people gathered at the Wisconsin Center in downtown Milwaukee. “Ensuring the...

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MATC’s Promise program expands computer and internet access to increase digital equity for students

Milwaukee Area Technical College announced an expansion of the MATC technology scholarship program on July 14 which has supplied Chromebooks to students who lack computer access needed to participate in learning in the COVID-19 environment. The program allow all current and new MATC Promise students access to a Chromebook and a hotspot for internet connectivity for one year if they don’t currently have access to them. A limited number of Chromebooks and hotspots also will be available to the entire student population. Lack of computer access spotlights a serious equity gap in Wisconsin. A May 2020 Wisconsin Public Policy...

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One Million Free Masks: Local company offers to help residents comply with proposed MKE Cares ordinance

Rebel Converting has offered the materials to make 1 million more masks to be distributed to residents in need if the city passes a mandatory mask ordinance. The Milwaukee-area company has already given away millions of masks to help prevent the spread of Covid-19. In a letter to the Milwaukee Common Council and Mayor Tom Barrett, Rebel Converting owner Michael Kryshak offered to provide the materials for free to produce one million disposable masks and help the city find volunteers to assemble them. “We fully support Milwaukee legislation to mandate face coverings in public places,” Kryshak wrote. “We want...

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ACLU issues stinging criticism of Milwaukee police for aggressive actions toward peaceful protestors

The ACLU of Wisconsin criticized Milwaukee Police Chief Alfonso Morales on June 10 for the Milwaukee Police Department’s failure to fulfill its legal obligation to implement community policing measures, as well as for overly aggressive policing tactics in the recent protests. The organization demanded immediate action be taken to comply with court-ordered reform measures and halt the use of force against demonstrators. In comments submitted to the Fire and Police Commission in advance of the FPC’s review of the Chief’s performance, the ACLU stated that the MPD has fallen short of meeting the requirements of the 2018 Settlement Agreement...

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Milwaukee County Human Rights Commission denounces extrajudicial killings by police

Head of the Milwaukee County Human Rights Commission (MCHRC) released a statement on June 9 condemning recent actions by police, and the behavior of local law enforcement in the violent repression of protestors. Dr. Robert Smith called upon Milwaukee County officials to go beyond the symbolic language of the recently passed Racial Equity Ordinance, and to utilize every resource at their disposal. He challenged them to take actions so that the wellbeing, the safety, dignity, and the human rights of all of citizens could be fully realized. As the entity charged with, among other roles, “… advising the appropriate...

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