Milwaukee DSA and allies to deliver 10,000 public power petitions to City Hall
The Milwaukee Democratic Socialists of America and their allies are set to deliver more than 10,000 petitions to City Hall (200 E Wells St.) on Friday, May 9, calling for public ownership of public utilities. The 6 p.m. delivery and adjoining rally are the latest move in the Power To The People coalition’s fight for public takeover of power utilities currently owned by We Energies.
“We Energies’ high rates are bleeding the people of Milwaukee dry, and the company’s sluggish adoption of sustainable energy fails to meet the urgency of the moment,” Andy Barbour, a chapter leader with Milwaukee DSA, said. “We must remove the profit motive from our public utility now.”DSA-endorsed Common Councilor Alex Brower won his election in April with a public takeover of We Energies as part of his platform, and Power To The People organizers look forward to more city leaders joining Brower in this movement as residents from across the city voice their need for a change that is already taking place in cities across the country: from Long Island to Los Angeles.
SIGN THE PETITION: Tell City Hall Milwaukee Can Do Better Than We Energies
Current data show that public ownership of city utilities lowers cost for residents, decreases annual outage times and provides communities with democratic control of the resources used to generate their energy, allowing them recourse in the fight against climate change.
Milwaukee DSA is Milwaukee’s largest socialist organization fighting for a democratic economy, a just society, and a sustainable environment. Join today at dsausa.org/join. The Greater Milwaukee Green Party, Milwaukee Party for Socialism and Liberation, Milwaukee Teachers’ Education Association, Milwaukee Solidarity, North Side Rising and Our Wisconsin Revolution are joining them in this action as the Power To The People coalition.
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.
More about the Power to the People campaign
- Council Approves $1.35 Million to Study We Energies Takeover - Jeramey Jannene - Nov 6th, 2026
- Finance Committee Wraps Budget Amendment Day After Nearly 12 Hours of Debate - Jeramey Jannene - Oct 30th, 2026
- ‘Power to the People’ Over We Energies? Issue Comes to City Hall - Jeramey Jannene - Jun 24th, 2026
- Proposed Takeover of We Energies Will Get City Hall Hearing - Jeramey Jannene - Jun 9th, 2026
- Milwaukee DSA and allies to deliver 10,000 public power petitions to City Hall - Milwaukee Democratic Socialists of America - Apr 30th, 2025
- Brower Waxes Anti-Capitalist In First Council Speech - Jeramey Jannene - Apr 22nd, 2025
- Brower Helps Get Milwaukee $1,000 From We Energies - Jeramey Jannene - Apr 9th, 2025
- Can Milwaukee Buy We Energies? - Jeramey Jannene - Mar 24th, 2025
- MTEA Announces support for the Power to the People Campaign to replace We Energies - Milwaukee Teachers’ Education Association - Nov 10th, 2023
- Advocates Push for City-Owned Public Utility - Evan Casey - May 16th, 2023
Read more about Power to the People campaign here













Alderman Alex Brower is a visionary. Milwaukee has a pround Socialist history.
They are remembered for implementing the Sewer System. People called them Sewer Socialists. Milwaukee was also known for clean government.
DSA continues standing for ‘We The People’.
A Public Utility will serve the People using Wisconsin State Statute 197.
WE Energies serves Shareholders & CEO
by increasing rates 11% annually over past 3 years (approx).
*Correction:
The Common Council must appprove Chapter 197 to move forward.
Error: “using Wisconsin State Statute 197.”