Coalition to March on the DNC Responds to Proposed Kewaskum Proclamation

Milwaukee, WI – On the evening of August 11, a story ran on the news highlighting a proposed proclamation from Dave Spenner, a Kewaskum Village Trustee. This proclamation would advise the people of Kewaskum to stay away from Milwaukee for the duration of the Democratic National Convention (DNC).

Spenner, a former Milwaukee police officer of 27 years, believes that the city will be too dangerous, citing the inability of cops to use tear gas to brutalize people. He also mentioned that former Milwaukee Police Chief Alfonso Morales being demoted was the “last straw”. In late May and early June, it was Morales who allowed his officers to incite violence against protesters, peppering them with rubber bullets and dousing them with tear gas and pepper spray.

The Coalition to March on the DNC, a group comprising over 50 local, regional, and national organizations, is planning several banner drops in the days leading up to August 20, when they will lead a mass rally on the final day of the convention. Their message paints a different picture than the one presented by perpetually frightened people like Village Trustee Spenner.

“We’re planning a family-friendly demonstration that you can push your babies in strollers at and invite grandma and grandpa out to, provided they’ve got masks,” said Ryan Hamann, one of the co-chairs of the Coalition. “We’re going to be in the streets demonstrating for peace, justice, and equality. Specifically, we’re demanding that Joe Biden and the Democrats put an end to the police killings of Black men and all other people.”

Hamann continued, “The fight against police crimes is the leading edge of the struggle for change in this country, including right here in Milwaukee with the fight for justice for Alvin Cole. Across Wisconsin, others require justice, like Isaiah Tucker of Oshkosh and Jonathon Tubby of Green Bay. We encourage anyone who wishes to see an end to the epidemic of killer cops to join us in Milwaukee on August 20.”

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.