Legislative attempts to push through a bill making English the "official language" of Wisconsin were pushed back this year, thanks to united efforts by the Latino, Hmong, Indian and other communities. AB 688 would have ended the practice of publishing most government-supplied information in languages other than English. It was widely seen as a racist attempt to isolate and disempower those communities for whom English is not their first language.
AJRC was able to play a helpful role in this struggle, attending rallies and marches and providing sound equipment and signs. Our main contribution was in rallying labor support. Among those who agreed to be publicly listed as opposing AB 688 were: David Newby, President of the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO; Jim Cavanaugh, President of the South Central Federation of Labor (Madison); Joe Harris, President of the Racine Labor Council; Bruce Colburn, Secretary-Treasurer of the Milwaukee County Labor Council; Pat Ventura, President of the Wisconsin Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals; Sherry Horton, Editor of Racine Labor, and Jim Carpenter, Chair of the Wisconsin Fair Trade Campaign.
Also endorsing were the presidents of AFSCME Local 82, USWA Local 1343 and SEIU Local 150, as well as a number of other local officials. (Organizations listed for identification only.) We were also able to write a guest editorial on the subject for Racine Labor.
This was the broadest labor support we have been able to organize on any issue so far. We think it’s a good sign that it came on a struggle against racism.
AJRC has produced a new pamphlet entitled "The Struggle Against ‘English Only’". For a free copy, send a self-addressed stamped envelope to "English Only" c/o AJRC.
We also produced a button that says "Official English is Official Racism - Stop AB 688", available for $1 by calling our office.
The struggle continues to stop the Exxon/Rio Algom copper-sulfide mine in Crandon, Wisc. Between 500 and 1000 people marched and rallied May 4th in Rhinelander to oppose the mine. That action was the result of months of hard work by many organizations and Indian communities.
Many activists had placed strong hopes on a bill sponsored by Rep. Spencer Black that would have effectively blocked efforts to construct the mine. The state assembly, caught between corporate lobbying and constituent anger, decided to end the spring session early before it would have to vote on the bill. It’ll be January before the bill comes up again.
In April, AJRC members and friends paid another visit to the Sokaogon Chippewa Community in Mole Lake, next to the site of the proposed mine. In late April we participated in a protest at the Dept. of Natural Resources in Milwaukee. We also were honored to have Bill Koenen, an environmental activist with the Sokaogon Chippewa, as a featured speaker at our April 27th Fundraising Dinner.
And in mid-May, the Houston chapter of the National People’s Campaign carried out a spirited picketline protest outside the U.S. headquarters of Exxon in Houston, demanding Exxon cancel plans for the mine. The protest was requested by AJRC, an affiliate of the National People’s Campaign.
SUN., FEB. 18 -- Over 60 people attended a public forum at Central United Methodist Church entitled "Behind the Bosnia Tragedy: The Hidden Role of the U.S. Government." Featured speaker was Sara Flounders of the International Action Center of New York. There was a strong participation by Milwaukee’s Serb community. The meeting was initiated by AJRC and co-sponsored by Pledge of Resistance and Milw. Peace Action.
SAT., FEB. 24 -- About 100 people, mostly Black youth, attended an Update on the Case of Mumia Abu-Jamal featuring RAMONA AFRICA, the sole adult survivor of the 1985 police bombing of the MOVE household in Philadelphia. Plus two new videos on Mumia’s case. Held at the Wisconsin Black Historical Society/Museum and sponsored by the Milwaukee Coalition to Free Mumia (Sisters By Choice, Brew City Anti-Authoritarian Collective, Anti-Racist Action & AJRC.)
TUES., FEB. 27 -- Update on the Case of Mumia Abu-Jamal with a showing of two new videos on the case. At America’s Black Holocaust Museum and sponsored by AJRC.
... co-sponsored an April 10 lecture by national Peace Action organizer Angelia Smith entitled "Fund the People, not the Pentagon". Held at the Peace Action Center and organized by Peace Action Milwaukee.
... supported a Tax Day Rally & Demonstration April 15th at the IRS office to demand "Money for People, not the Pentagon!" Sponsored by Milw. War Tax Resistance.
... provided sound, signs and a speaker for a rally held April 19th by a number of Latino organizations to protest the awarding of a "Friend of the Hispanic Community" award to Gov. Tommy Thompson.
... with Sisters By Choice, provided sound and a speaker for an April 20th Protest against Police Brutality in Freeport, Ill. Sponsored by Freedom of Residence.
... attended the April 27th Workers Memorial Day Rally at the Wisc. Workers Memorial, in Zeidler Union Park.
... co-sponsored the Madison International Workers Day Celebrations sponsored by many unions & community groups.