‘Fighting Bob Fest’ coming to Milwaukee
Now in its 16th year, “Fighting Bob Fest,” the annual festival for progressive politics, is coming to Milwaukee for the first time.
Now in its 16th year, “Fighting Bob Fest,” the annual festival for progressive politics, is coming to Milwaukee for the first time.
Since its founding by the late Ed Garvey, the event has attracted thousands to hear speeches by leading progressives from throughout the nation at full-day events held in the Madison and Baraboo areas. This year, the event will be held as two half-day programs, first in Milwaukee and later in LaCrosse.
The Milwaukee event will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 16, at the Tripoli Shrine Temple, 3000 W. Wisconsin Ave. Headline speakers will be:
Nina Turner, national president of Our Revolution, a former Ohio state senator and commentator on MSNBC.
Jim Hightower, former Texas Agriculture Commissioner, humorist and author of The Hightower Lowdown and frequent Fighting Bob Fest speaker.
Other speakers include Marina Dimitrijevic, Wisconsin Workers Party; Rep. David Bowen of the 10th Assembly District; Terrance Worthen and Sarah Lloyd, co-chairs of Our Wisconsin Revolution, and Robert Kraig, of Citizen Action who will discuss the Foxconn deal. Other speakers are to be announced.
The event will also feature two panel discussions on building racial and environmental justice in our communities. Local and state-wide organizations will be represented by information tables at the event.
“We are excited to be able to take Fighting Bob Fest on the road this year. Now more than ever we need to bring together the power of the people and build an economy and a democracy that is truly by and for the people and not for the powerful, corporate interests,” said Sarah Lloyd, Co-Chair of the state-wide Our Wisconsin Revolution, which is sponsoring the event in collaboration with The Progressive Magazine.
Our Wisconsin Revolution is an independent, statewide, membership-driven, democratic-popular organization working to take back Wisconsin from corporate elites, and return it to rule of, by, and for the people.
“Fighting Bob Fest is a Wisconsin tradition that is especially relevant right now,” Jaime Alvarado, interim co-chair of OWR Milwaukee chapter, said. “We live in historic times in which billionaires and multinational corporations have seized unprecedented power over our government and economy. People are fed up and ready to act to restore a government that acts on behalf of all of its people, not just the wealthy few. Some 100 years ago, Fighting Bob La Follette led the same kind of struggle, helping to build a truly representative government and prosperous middle class. This event will be a great opportunity to gain inspiration and vision for people willing to commit their time and energy to creating a better America.”
The program is free (donations welcomed) and there is parking in a large lot east of the Shrine Temple. Lunch will be available (at cost).
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.
