Supervisors Withdraw Sade Robinson Memorial

Warnimont Golf Course sign. Photo taken Jan. 8, 2025 by Graham Kilmer.

A well-intentioned plan for a memorial to Sade Robinson, who was murdered in 2024, was derailed by a deluge of nasty, racist messages sent to Milwaukee County Supervisors and aimed at her family.

Sup. Juan Miguel Martinez sponsored a resolution that would have funded the creation of a memorial in Warnimont Park for Robinson and to bring awareness to gender-based violence.

The ghastly details of her death attracted national attention. Robinson was allegedly killed by Maxwell Anderson, who is charged with her murder, in April 2024. Robinson was dismembered and some of her remains were discovered in Warnimont Park.

At a meeting of the county board’s Committee on Parks and Culture Tuesday, Martinez announced that he did not want to continue with the resolution. The committee voted unanimously to lay the item over, effectively holding it in committee until is taken up again, or the annual legislative cycle ends.

“I’ve been in constant communication with the mother of Sade Robinson, and we have discussed this over and over, and we have all agreed that it would be best to withdraw the resolution,” he said.

After media reported on the legislation, supervisors and the family were on the receiving end of racist abuse, according to members of the committee.

“I just want to say shame on people for treating a grieving mother this way and making it a race thing and treating her as subhuman when it’s absolutely unnecessary and absolutely unethical and it shows the most disgusting and detestable parts of our society,” Martinez said.

Martinez explained that the memorial was his idea, and that he wanted to help the mother with her wish to see a memorial to her daughter. Maybe seeking taxpayer funding for the memorial was not the right idea, he said, adding that her family and many others who supported the idea are taxpayers, as well.

“It is most unfortunate that we’re at this moment in our country’s history where, once again, we feel very comfortable being overt with our prejudices, with our racism and with just plain evil, hateful thoughts,” said Sup. Felesia Martin.

Milwaukee County Parks Director Guy Smith said his team would respect Robinson’s family and their wish for privacy, adding that Martinez’ resolution came from “a positive place and very good intention.”

“I believe we were talking about a bench,” said Sup. Anne O’Connor. “And so the public reaction was so disproportionate to what this really would have been. So it’s incredibly unfortunate. It is a reflection of the darker element of humanity.”