Vaun Mayes

Plea Agreement Reached On Long-Pending Sherman Park Unrest Charges Involving Vaun Mayes

Mayes pleads guilty to one charge, prosecutors to recommend no jail time.

Will Milwaukee’s Black Voters Turn Out for Harris? 

After turning out big for Obama, some turned off by Biden. Can Harris turn that around?

Cinco De Mayo Violence, Viral Video Prompt Community Response

County supervisor wants community events moved into parks for better security.

Four Milwaukee Organizations Awarded $10,000 Each Through African American Roundtable’s Participatory Budgeting Program

Projects Will Benefit Youth, Elderly on Northwest Side

Supervisors Considering Faster Body Camera Release For Sheriff’s Office

But supervisors do not have authority to set policy for Sheriff.

County Executive Hosting Parks ‘Celebrity Softball Game’

Teams include local journalists, artists, business owners, activists, politicians and community leaders.

Will Common Council Approve Sales Tax?

State deal requires two-thirds vote of council. Seven of 15 members have expressed concerns.

Supervisor Taylor Commends Public Participation at Yesterday’s Re-Entry Unblemished Event

Milwaukee Leaders Decry Homicides, Call For Change

City had 214 murders in 2022, up from 193. 'We need it to stop today.'

Milwaukee DA Will Charge Elderly Man for Choking Black Man

Video captures 62-year-old with hand on throat of 24-year-old, in incident on South Side.

White Supremacists Push False Narrative on Waukesha Parade Tragedy

False claims that killings were racially motivated echoed by Republican official.

Fusion Center Raises Questions About Privacy

Milwaukee police use it to track protestors, emails show.

Milwaukee Youth Caught In Middle of Rising Violence

Police, government resources unable to break cycle of violence destroying lives.

Supervisor Taylor Applauds Milwaukee Community in Search for Major Harris

Supervisor Martin Mourns Major Harris, Commends Community’s Search Efforts

Evers Allocates $45 Million To Violence Prevention, Victim Support

Evers joined by Attorney General Josh Kaul and Milwaukee violence prevention leaders for announcement.

City Task Force Considers Unarmed First Responders

Unarmed responders would field calls for non-violent crimes.

Tosa Police ‘Protestor List’ Includes Reporter

WE reporter Isiah Holmes on list, along with state Reps. David Bowen, Jonathan Brostoff and attorneys Kimberley Motley, Deja Vishny.

Supervisor Taylor Among Community Leaders Awarded at Inaugural Justice Ball

Bowen Introduces Package of Policing Bills

The Milwaukee representative introduced a slate of legislation titled "Enough is Enough."

One Year After George Floyd’s Death

Milwaukeeans reflect on how things have changed — or haven’t.

Protesters Rally After Chauvin Verdict

Local activists, members of The People's Revolution celebrate, call for further efforts to achieve justice.

Jury Finds Officer Derek Chauvin Guilty

Minneapolis cop guilty on all charges, including second degree murder of George Floyd.

8 Ways Police Mishandled Protests

From Los Angeles to New York, Milwaukee and Wauwatosa, police made similar mistakes.

Acting Police Chief Offers Frank Views

"I’m a Black man first,” Norman tells panel. "I will not tolerate any explicit biases."

How Milwaukeeans Helped Texas

In response to Texas crisis, local community effort raises money and delivers supplies.

After Prison, What Next?

How to handle the formerly incarcerated. Milwaukee town hall tackles the issue.

Community Leaders Lament Jacob Blake Decision

Dismay over Kenosha County DA choosing not to charge officer who shot Blake.

People’s Revolution Marks 200 Days of Protest

Protests against police brutality match the record of 1960's open housing marchers.

Fire & Police Commission Ties On Next Police Chief

Will meet again on December 10th.

Trump Rally Becomes Confrontation

Crowd resists Health Department rules, Serb Hall hit with city citations, its manager in fracas with crowd.

Community Groups Propose Changes

Twelve groups invited to speak and push less spending on police and more on lead abatement, other programs.

See All of Downtown Milwaukee’s New Murals

From otters to activists, Milwaukee is awash in new public art.

Frank Nitty Leads March from Milwaukee to Washington D.C.

750-mile march ends with Nitty speaking at rally on steps of Lincoln Memorial in front of thousands. Blake, Acevedo, Hamilton families also present.

Budget Testimony Includes Repeated Ask For $75 Million Police Cut

Two-thirds of those that testified at preliminary budget hearing want funds to go towards health, housing.

March Against Mass Incarceration During COVID-19

Protesters derided the conditions in jails and prisons, especially during the pandemic.

Mural of Black Leaders Unveiled

New mural on 14th and Vliet depicts leaders young and old, alive and dead.

Bowen Says Officer Mensah Fired The Gun

Rep. Bowen disputes police account, says Mensah, not protestors, fired gun at officer's house.

Suspended Tosa Police Officer Reportedly Assaulted By Protesters

Officer Joseph Mensah's home was vandalized a large group of people says Wauwatosa PD

This Weekend’s Protests Against Police Brutality

This weekend will mark the second-straight month of protests.

Here Are Chief Morales’ Marching Orders

Read all 11 directives, ranging from a COVID-19 mask policy to attending every commission meeting.

FPC Gives Morales 11 Directives, Threatens Firing For Non-Compliance

Move comes as part of six month review of Morales' performance.

Outdoor Civil Rights Museum Planned For Near West Side

Mural featuring current leaders is just first phase of broader plan from Mil Collective.

Protesters Rally for Joel Acevedo

Protesters Call for Justice for Vanessa Guillen

Vaun Mayes Released From Jail

DA reviewing charges on protest organizer. Activists call it targeted harassment, call for Chief Morales to step down.

New Mural Honors Milwaukee Activists

Mural depicts Frank Nitty, Tommy Franecki, Vaun Mayes, Markasa Tucker and others.

MPD makes arrest in connection to civil unrest that occurred on the 2100 block of North 40th Street

Protest Organizer Vaun Mayes Arrested

For "burglary party to a crime" says arrest blotter. Frank Nitty captures arrest on video.

Mother Connected to “40th and Lloyd” Incident Speaks Out

Was missing teenage girl ever at N. 40th St.? Mother unsure, but questions about home remain from community.

Activists Clean Up Around Burned House As Questions Remain

Activists want more from police, police want cooperation from community

Suspected Sex Trafficking House Burned

Crowd surrounds house at 40th and Lloyd believed to be connected to missing children.

Community Activists Discuss Police Reforms

Everything from cutting funds from police budgets to community control over public safety.

City Attorney Moving To Drop Curfew Charges

Charges will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, but at least one lawsuit still likely.

Rep. Bowen Statement on Weekend Spitting Incident in Shorewood

Day 11 of Protests, No End In Sight

Destiny Monae and Vaun Mayes share their thoughts on what comes next.

“Shorewood Spitter” Taken To Jail After Second Incident

Attorney Stephanie Rapkin is accused of spitting on teenager, shoving college student and kneeing police officer in groin.

State, City Elected Officials Call for Police Reform

Activists, Alders, lawmakers and the governor are calling for policy changes.

Nitty Leads Peaceful March While Protecting Against Assassination

Seventh-day is a charm as two large marches take place without incident

Marches Multiply, Council Will Investigate Curfew, Police Response

Group openly carrying rifles joins late march, car caravan later takes over.

King Drive Cleanup Draws Hundreds

De facto center of George Floyd protests spiffed up. "This is our city," says volunteer Pamela Bell.

Activist Blasts Those Committing Violence

But protest leader Vaun Mayes also criticizes church leaders, other march organizers.

Chief Morales Reappointed for Four Years

Commission grants police chief a full term, requires public meeting, reports.

New Charges Against Activist Vaun Mayes

Community organizer says he's being targeted as a "Black Identity Extremist.”

Anonymous Crime Reporting Service Launches

"Crime doesn't pay, but Crime Stoppers does," says Alderwoman Chantia Lewis.

Community Outpouring Over City Budget

Dozens of residents object to nearly half of budget paying for police.

Remembering Quanita “Tay” Jackson

She worked to make city better, only to be fatally shot.

Will Lena Taylor Run for Mayor?

Group attempting to draft Democratic Senator to run in crowded field.

Barrett Blasted on Infant Mortality Grant

African-American led organizations say Mayor, Kowalik killed their effort to get grant.

Questions Surround Vaun Mayes’ Arrest

Charged with plot to firebomb police, Mayes is a dedicated community worker, supporters say.

ACLU Justice Tour Targets Racism

Mass incarceration and police stop-and-frisk program discussed at weekend event.

Business Owner Calls For Drugs Cease Fire

Center Street barber shop owner calls on residents in neighborhoods with heavy drug trafficking.

Vaun Mayes Released Pending Trial

Sherman Park activist accused of attempting to firebomb police station.

Community Groups Want Say On Police Chief

In search for new chief, pushing for a candidate committed to community relations.

City’s Anti-Violence Effort Stalls

Office of Violence Prevention’s plan was due in June. Donovan, others criticize delay.

Beyond Sherman Park

Community takes stock of central city a year after unrest. Discussion to air on PBS Aug. 10

Still Fighting for Equality

A new generation of black leaders faces economic, educational inequities.

Black Leaders React to Smith Verdict

Calling for peace after acquittal of officer who shot Sylville Smith.

Still Questions on Claybrook’s Death

Suspect killed by hail of bullets from police. But was this necessary?

Sherman Park Residents Bash Station Owner

Some favor rebuild of gas station. But many point to longtime problems.

City Panel Rejects Sherman Park Station

Design criticized. Would replace gas station destroyed during summer riot.

City’s $1 House Program Criticized

Residents question why only developers can buy foreclosed homes for a dollar.

Mixed Reactions to Charges in Sylville Smith’s Killing

DA charges officer Heaggan-Brown. Family and community demand video's release.

300+ Strong Amplifies Black Voices

Black community leaders pay tribute to Eric Von, challenge youth to “pick up the baton.”

Brostoff Arrest Raises Questions

State rep says police focus must change; Police say Ald. Rainey asked them to be there.

When Will Sherman Park Curfew End?

Youth in area say they have nowhere to go. Sheriff Clarke won’t say when it will be lifted.