Wednesday, April 19
 5-7:30 pm. 

Eschweiler Building Ballroom,
9810 Echelon Lane,
Wauwatosa, WI 53226, (map)

The Friends of the Monarch Trail are excited to announce that this year’s annual fund raiser will take place in a very special location, right on the Milwaukee County Grounds - home of the Monarch Butterfly Trail! 

It will be held in the ballroom of the beautiful, venerable Historic  Please join us as we celebrate Earth Day; find inspiration in protecting the earth and preserving the Monarch Butterfly & Migration; and host a silent auction to support the ongoing restoration of The Monarch Trail itself, a vital habitat for the monarch migration that passes through it each fall. Stop by after work for good company, silent auction items, delicious hors d'oeuvres and educational displays---all in a beautiful setting! 

Everyone is welcome! The event is free but donations are gratefully accepted. 

We look forward to seeing you and your friends at the Eschweiler Ball Room on Wednesday, April 19, 2017. 

5-minute action on gerrymandering

Join this statewide action to call Wisconsin's legislators and tell them we want fair maps instead of partisan gerrymandering. 

• Call your state assembly rep (Dale Kooyenga, 608-266-9180, or Rob Hutton, 608-267-9836) and tell him that you want him to support AB44. 
• Call your state senator (Leah Vukmir, 608-266-2512), and ask her to support SB13.

Try to include a personal reason why you're in favor of fair maps. Bruce Murphy is a good source for understanding the issue.

Indivisible Tosa is organizing another visit to Rep. Sensebrenner's Bishop's Woods office. The theme is a demand for an independent investigation into Russian interference in our election and possible undue influence in the Trump administration.

This is an effective way to both put Sensenbrenner on notice and  raise the public profile of the troubling actions of Russia and the Trump administration's participation or at least acquiescence in a genuine threat to American democracy and security.

The event takes place at 4 p.m. at 120 Bishops Way Ste 154, Brookfield, Wisconsin 53005 (map)

This is part of the national "Recess Resistance," and it's important that Wauwatosa and Wisconsin's 5th Congressional District make a good showing.

Plan to come! You can RSVP here.

Congress is once again calling for repeal and/or sabotage of people's healthcare. Trump is considering rule changes while Speaker Ryan is entertaining even more draconian changes like allowing discrimination for people with pre-existing conditions!

Join us for a rally and town hall Wednesday, April 19, to tell Scott Walker, Ron Johnson and Paul Ryan "no more taxpayer giveaways to corporate interests like Pharma, insurers and for profit medical suppliers. No one should be forced off their health coverage!"

We have been contacted by Common Cause, a nonpartisan national organization to help them deliver a petition to Ron Johnson’s office on Thursday, April 13 at 11 AM.  The petition contains thousands of signatures collected from throughout Wisconsin asking the Senator to support an independent special commission to investigate Russia's meddling in the 2016 election.  

Milwaukee is one of many cities throughout the nation that will be participating in this action. The local media will be invited.  The petition will be presented to the Johnson office at the Federal Building located at 517 E. Wisconsin Avenue, in downtown Milwaukee.  We need volunteers to show up in front of the Federal Building no later than 10:55AM on that day as a show of support for the this petition.  The petition and any signs/posters will be supplied by Common Cause. Again, this is a nonpartisan effort so anyone who agrees with the intent of the petition is invited to attend.

This is not a rally or a march and will only take a few minutes of your time. The event will take place just outside of the Federal Building as Johnson’s office is small and they only allow 3-4 people inside. The Milwaukee news media will be invited.  Your show of support of appreciated.

START: APRIL 15, 2017•11:00 AM
MILWAUKEE COUNTY COURTHOUSE• 901 N 9TH ST, MILWAUKEE, WI 53233
HOST CONTACT INFO: [email protected]

The Tax March is a movement gaining momentum around the country to demand transparency and fairness from our Commander-in-Chief. Throughout his campaign, Donald Trump told the American people he would release his tax returns. Despite intense public pressure, President Trump has not yet done so – breaking with 40 years of precedent in the process. His administration's excuse? "People don't care."

We do care. Without seeing his tax returns, we have no idea what he's hiding – shady business deals? Financial ties to foreign countries? Conflicts of interest? – or who his policies are really benefitting.

On April 15, we’re marching on Washington and in communities across the country to send a clear message to Donald Trump: You work for us, and we demand answers.

START: APRIL 15, 2017•11:00 AM

MILWAUKEE COUNTY COURTHOUSE• 901 N 9TH ST, MILWAUKEE, WI 53233

HOST CONTACT INFO: [email protected]

Milwaukee Muslim Film Festival film screenings at the Times Theater:

3000 Nights
Friday, April 28
7 pm
$8 admission

A young Palestinian teacher is arrested, "tried," and convicted by an Israeli military court of a crime she did not commit. In fact, there is no real evidence that any crime was committed. Layal fights to protect her newborn son, survive and keep hope alive in an Israeli prison. 

__________________________

 Men in the Arena
Wednesday, May 3
7 pm
$8 admission

To the world, they evoke images of terror. To their countrymen, they are transformational athletes. To their families, they are a lifeline. The unforgettable story of two Somali National Football Team friends chasing their dreams in the face of impossible odds. 

 Trailers for both films can be found at http://mmfilmfest.com/

Tuesday, April 4, is election day. Make a plan to vote. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

You can see a sample ballot by going to:  www.myvote.wi.gov.  

Grassroots Tosa endorses the following candidates:

For State Superintendent of Public Instruction:

• Tony Evers

For Wauwatosa School Board:

• Michael Philips
• Leigh Anne Fraley
• Steve Doman

Grassroots Tosa has not taken a position on the Circuit Court races or the Wheel Tax Referendum.

Remind your friends to vote. Every election is important, and we need to show up!

[From our friends at Indivisible Tosa]

How to get involved this week

Although there was good news on the health care front on Friday, there's more work to be done. It's vital that we stay engaged and keep the pressure on our elected officials.

Here are a few quick, easy ways to make your voice heard:

House Republicans Vote To Let Your Internet Service Provider Share Your Web History

This followed a party line vote in the Senate. 

If you're tech savvy, here are some tips on how to keep your information from prying corporations:

How to set up a VPN in 10 minutes for free (and why you urgently need one)
https://medium.freecodecamp.com/how-to-set-up-a-vpn-in-5-minutes-for-free-and-why-you-urgently-need-one-d5cdba361907

If not, let Sensenbrenner know how you feel about this (he voted for it!):

Emailing Sensenbrenner
http://sensenbrenner.house.gov/contact/email.htm

Office hours and Town Hall Meetings
http://sensenbrenner.house.gov/contact/