Madison Organizing in Strength, Equity, and Solidarity
for Criminal Legal System Reform

Madison Action Day

By Margaret Irwin

 

Madison Action Day received an extra boost of energy as some 400 participants celebrated the 25th anniversary of WISDOM. The biannual event took place on April 10, beginning with a plenary session at the Masonic Temple. This was followed by a march to the Capitol and a rally on the State Street steps, visits to legislative offices, and a wrap-up at Grace Episcopal Church, before many boarded buses to return to their homes across the state.  

 

The morning program included short videos introducing each of the 14 affiliates. Speakers then explained the values that underlie WISDOM’s work: Radical Inclusion, Costly Reconciliation, and Living for the Seventh Generation. Entertainment was provided by a drum circle led by Talib Akbar and songs from the Raging Grannies. Speakers from MOSES at the Capitol rally included Tammy Jackson, Saundra Brown, and Shel Gross. 

 

In the afternoon, the visitors to legislators’ offices presented demands on four key issues: close the Green Bay Correctional Institution without building another prison; give all immigrants a chance to get a driver’s license; fund our public schools fairly; and expand Badgercare. In addition, visitors had the opportunity to present other issues their affiliates are focusing on. 

 

Many thanks to all the MOSES volunteers who made this event such a success. It was a great send-off for WISDOM Executive Director David Liners, who will be retiring in June.

 

Gearing Up for a Big Madison Action Day (Thursday, April 10)

Gearing Up for a Big Madison Action Day (Thursday, April 10)

by Sherry Reames

 

Although Madison Action Day is still a few weeks away, it’s definitely not too early to start

preparing. The essential first step this year may be to shift our focus from discouraging national

news to the relatively hopeful outlook for our issues here in Wisconsin. We have a better partisan balance in our State Legislature than we’ve seen in many years, a large number of new legislators to meet, and a budget proposal from Governor Evers that includes some of WISDOM’s highest priorities, most obviously the closure of the antiquated prison at Green Bay without building a new prison to replace it. So we will have lots to discuss with our legislators and are hoping for an extra-large and enthusiastic turnout.

 

If you don’t know what to expert, here’s a quick overview of the day’s schedule.

  • 9 am– Check-in at Madison Masonic Center, 301 W. Wisconsin Avenue, Madison
  • WISDOM program– Brief videos introducing all the WISDOM affiliates, presentation of priority issues by inspiring leaders from around the state, music (including songs by Madison’s own Raging Grannies), and a call to action
  • Informal lunch and discussion of plans for the afternoon
  • March to the Capitol (for those who can; rides available for those who can’t)
  • Small-group visits to legislative offices, probably starting at 1 or 1:30 pm
  • Gather at Grace Episcopal Church (across the street from the Capitol) to relax and discuss what we learned

 

Please spread the word about this event! Let your congregations, neighbors, and friends know that Madison Action Day is a great opportunity for learning, inspiration, meaningful activism, and even some fun, and invite them to join us. Here’s the registration link:

bit.ly/madisonactionday2025 .

 

Please register as soon as possible, and remind others to do likewise. It’s not crucial to pay immediately, but the WISDOM organizing committee needs everybody’s names and details well ahead of time. Here’s why: besides placing advance orders for everybody’s T-shirts and lunches, the organizing committee has the big job of matching attendees with legislators, trying to make sure that every single senator and assembly rep will have a visit, either from their own constituents or (if necessary) by volunteers from MOSES and other large affiliates.

 

Please consider participating in the following training opportunities, which are designed to increase the effectiveness of our lobbying efforts this year:

  • WISDOM State budget trainings (including one in Madison on Saturday afternoon, March 15, from 1 to 3 pm, location TBA) will include both expert tips on messaging and story-telling and the opportunity to practice these skills.

New this year! An orientation session for Action Day attendees a week before the event (Thursday evening, April 3, probably on zoom from 6 to 7 pm) will help teams of legislative visitors get organized in advance (deciding who will facilitate, who will speak on each issue, etc.), as well as providing more messaging tips and practice.

Save the Date! April 29: Madison Action Day 2015

10980174_10103996077670197_1487870611916962618_oPeople of Faith United for Justice
Madison Action Day
Wednesday, April 29, 2015
9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Bethel Lutheran Church
312 Wisconsin Avenue, Madison, WI

Cost: $25 per person includes lunch, childcare and transportation. Registration deadline is April 15. Please download and complete this form and or email info to mosesorganizer@gmail.com to register.

All contributions are welcome!  Scholarship requests will be honored on a first come-first served basis. Make checks payable to MOSES and deliver during a monthly meeting.  You may also mail checks to: MOSES, PO Box 7031, Madison, WI 53707

Keynote Speakers:
Reverend Everett Mitchell, Director of Community Relations of UW-Madison and Pastor at Christ the Solid Rock Baptist Church in Madison.
Hannah Rosenthal: CEO and president, Milwaukee Jewish Federation

Agenda

  •   8:00 Check-in & Refreshments
  •   9:00 Morning Plenary & Issue Briefing
  • 12:00 Lunch
  •   1:00 Legislative Visits at Capital
  •   4:00 Action Day Concludes

Please indicate if you are:

  • volunteering for childcare or requesting childcare and the number and ages of children.
  • if you are interested in carpooling, whether you are driving or riding, and the area of town for pick up/drop off.
  • requesting a scholarship or donating to scholarships that create opportunities for more disenfranchised advocates to participate.

For more information, email info@mosesmadison.org or call 608-622-2360.

CO-SPONSORS: Wisconsin Council of Churches, Faith Voices for Justice, Interfaith Conference of Greater Milwaukee, Lutheran Office for Public Policy, Madison Area Urban Ministry, Milwaukee Jewish Federation, Jewish Federation of Madison, Wisconsin Jewish Conference and WISDOM

 

Join us for Madison Action Day 2013: People of Faith United for Justice

Join with WISDOM and our partners from the Wisconsin Council of Churches, the Lutheran Office on Public Policy, Madison-area Urban Ministries, the Milwaukee Jewish Federation and the Interfaith Conference of Greater Milwaukee, as we gather as People of Faith United for Justice from around Wisconsin to build relationships, to educate one another and to act together to ensure that our shared and faithful commitment to compassion and justice is reflected in our next state budget!

Thursday, March 14, 2013
8:30 am – 4:00 pm
Bethel Lutheran Church
312 Wisconsin Avenue, Madison

 8:30 am Gathering/coffee at Bethel Lutheran Church
 9:30 am Welcome: Hannah Rosenthal, CEO Milwaukee Jewish FederationPlenary session focusing on the impact of faith as both an instrument of social justice and a catalyst for social transformation: Rev. Bryan Massingale, Professor of Theology, Marquette University, Milwaukee
10:30 am Issue – Action Breakout Sessions:
 
  • 11×15 Campaign (Criminal Justice Reform)
    for a Safer, Healthier Wisconsin
  • Additional breakout groups on
    Environment and Economic Justice
11:30 pm Lunch and preparation for Capitol visits
12:15 pm March to Capitol
12:30 pm Prayer Rally at Capitol, led by interfaith religious leaders
 1:30  pm Meetings with legislators
  4:00 pm Conclude

Registration and Lunch: $20/person by March 4
$10 for students and low income; scholarships available

Because of parking, we urge people to carpool, use church vans or public transportation.

To register: email your name and contact information to Lynn Butorac at: lbutorac@sbcglobal.net or print and mail this form,  madison_action_day_regist_020312 and payment  to:
MOSES c/o Lynn Butorac
2846 Moland St A1
Madison 53704