Progressive Students of Milwaukee is an organization dedicated to advancing progressive political and social ideals.
pro.gres.sive adj.
Moving forward; advancing.
Proceeding in steps; continuing steadily by increments: progressive change.
Promoting or favoring progress toward better conditions or new policies, ideas, or methods: a progressive politician.
A person who actively favors or strives for progress toward better conditions, as in society or government.
Points of Unity
We are committed to creating progressive social, political, economic, and environmental change in our local and global communities.
We oppose all forms of oppression including racism, sexism, classism, militarism, imperialism, and heterosexism.
We seek to work with diverse communities and people to achieve our goals.
We believe that youth must take active roles in the progressive movement and are committed to supporting young leadership.
We believe that unity in the progressive movement is critical to our success, and we encourage equal participation of all members in our organizations through democratic processes.
Check out our Facebook group.
-Past News-
UW-Milwaukee Students Participate in Immigrant Rights March
Over 30,000 march for a just immigration rights bill
By Daniel Ginsberg-Jaeckle
The following article was featured in the May 5th edition of the UWM Post.
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee students participated in the “Day Without Latinos” immigrant rights march, which took place on Milwaukee’s south side at 11 a.m. on May 1.
The march of 30,000 people, organized by Voces de la Frontera, included the help of The Progressive Students of Milwaukee and the Latino Student Union at UWM, whom organized a bus from the student union, of which 50 students attended.
“I’m excited so many student organizations were involved and more students were involved in this year’s march,” said Veronica Sotelo, Vice President of the Latino Student Union at UWM.
May 1 has been the national date of immigrant rights marches for three years, in which hundreds of thousands nationwide have marched for just immigration policy.
Voces de la Frontera, Wisconsin’s largest immigrant rights movement, has been involved in both civil rights and social justice issues, and last year mobilized a May 1 march of 80,000, Wisconsin’s largest ever demonstration.
Dave Moore, the Communications Coordinator of Voces de la Frontera, in calling this year’s march a big success, mentioned youth as an important factor in this year’s demonstration.
“100 students wearing ‘First 100 Days’ tee shirts led the march to send a clear and upfront message to our next president that we are calling for a just and humane immigration reform bill within the first 100 days of office,” said Moore.
Moore noted that many Riverside High School students marched in cap and gown to symbolize the need for progressive education reform as well, as undocumented workers are forced to pay out of state tuition fees upon high school graduation, despite the fact that many have lived in the state for nearly their whole lives.
UW-Milwaukee students carried a banner, which read, “Stop the War on Immigrants and Iraqis” with a Spanish translation underneath. Marchers were chanting “Sí, se puede” (“Yes, we can”).
The Progressive Students of Milwaukee, formed in the spring semester of this year, are an organization composed of mainly UWM students who believe in creating progressive social, political, economic, and environmental change, according to their website (progressivestudents.org).
“Many students at UWM are immigrants, they have families and friends affected by the unjust immigration policy of this country, and it’s our duty as progressive students to defend these struggles and do what we can from this institution of higher learning, with all its great resources, to empower the immigrant community,” said James Lazar, a UWM student and co-founder of the Progressive Students of Milwaukee.
There are an estimated 12 million undocumented workers in the United States. According to the website of Voces de la Frontera, there has been a significant increase in the number of local families impacted by immigration raids.
The march lasted approximately three hours and went from S. 5th and Washington on Milwaukee’s south side to Veteran’s Park.
April Iraq Moratorium Draws Huge Turnout!
Part of the student contingent of the April Iraq Moratorium on Water St. and Wisconsin Ave.
Our largest rally since the first one in September, with 80 people of all ages on the four corners of downtown’s main intersection at rush hour. Very spirited, large student contingents from Fratney Street Elementary School and University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s Progressive Students organization, and a few high schoolers, too. Iraq Veterans Against the War, Peace Action Wisconsin, Veterans for Peace and Kids for Peace were all represented, with lots of creative signs. A dog urging “Bones, not bombs” also joined us.
Flags, signs, banners, music from a boom box and a return of the chaing gang — Bush, Cheney and Rice in their prison suits — all added to the upbeat atmosphere. Fifty degree weather, the warmest in months, didn’t hurt either. Huge positive responses from passers-by who honked their horns, waves and yelled encouragement, with rarely a discouraging word. After a long, cold, dark winter of monthly vigils, this was rejuvenating.
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Shepherd Express: End the War Now!
The following article was featured in the March 20-26th edition of Shepherd Express, a local alternative weekly newspaper.
More than 600 people gathered Downtown in 34-degree weather last Saturday to protest the fifth anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Iraq. Not only did they send a strong message to war supporters, but they got to hear some amazing speeches.
Father Simon Harak, of Marquette University’s Center for Peacemaking, questioned the $480 billion being spent on the war, and called for bringing the troops home while improving living conditions in the United States. “Let’s bring the spirit of America back home,” he said. Rep. Gwen Moore talked about congressional efforts to end the war and said she’ll only authorize funds that go toward diplomacy and getting the troops out. She also said she signed on to the impeachment initiative because “it’s an act of patriotism.” Will Williams, of Vets for Peace, focused on young people who are being preyed on by military recruiters. “If we want peace,” Williams told the crowd, “we have to fight for peace.”
And George Martin, of Peace Action Wisconsin, got everyone fired up by declaring, “This is what America looks like.” If you couldn’t make it to that rally, the seventh Iraq Moratorium event will be held on Friday, March 21. The 5 p.m. vigil will be held at Water Street and Wisconsin Avenue, part of nationwide protests against the war.
Winter Soldier
Winter Soldier was a gathering of Iraq war veterans in Washington, D.C. from March 13th to 16th, 2008. Wisconsin members joined in witnessing the historic testimony absent from media reports. Troops painfully relived eyeqitness accounts of the massive and daily death and destruction, noting that when embedded reporters were not present, the code of conduct was completely different.
Soldiers testified to the dehumanization of the Iraqi people, stating multiple examples of leadership all the way from the top using racist slurs towards Muslims and condoning their genocide. Soldiers testified to the use of the Rules of Engagement (RoE). During the first weeks of invasion the RoE was followed closely, but as soldiers saw their comrades die they began to change the rules.
The RoE states that a person must show “hostile intent”. Soldiers stated that today in Iraq “hostile intent” is classified by any person being outside after dark, wearing a headband, talking on a cell phone outside or just using a shovel, to name a few.
Because of the limited water supply in Iraq since the invasion, farmers risk their lives to irrigate their crops after dark, and are often killed by US soldiers for breaking curfew. Veterans also relayed their personal experiences in the mishandling of prisoners, the lack of respect for the ancient culture of Iraq, the mishandling of the dead, random acts of violence as retaliation and breaking many more international laws by firing on civilian homes, villages, hospitals and mosques.
The historic Winter Soldier event was attended by veterans of past wars, politicians, military families, writers, professors and reporters. Throughout the gathering troops were honored for their courage to stop fighting and share their painful stories. Members encouraged others to stand up and join them in fighting to end the occupation.
Coalition of Student Organizations Call for End to the Iraq War
This past March 20th marked the fifth anniversary of the Iraq occupation. Preceding the date was a student rally formed by University of Wisconsin Milwaukee’s Campus Coalition Against the War on March 13th.
Thursday’s sunny day rally began at noon in Spaights Plaza, introducing the crowd with a series of speeches made by student members of each organization involved with the coalition, as well as various chants. The organizations included: Jews for Justice, Progressive Students of Milwaukee (PSM), Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), Black Student Union, Latino Student Union, Muslim Student Association, Latin America Solidarity Committee, Democracy Matters and Art Students Advocating Peace.
A crowd of about 150 people showed up, including students, community members and veterans. Also in the crowd were about seven or eight student counter protesters who held signs but were drown out by the masses.
Following the speeches the crowd flooded into the Union, starting on the first floor and ending up in the concourse, yelling chants and holding signs. Even George W. Bush, dressed in an orange jumpsuit and handcuffs, joined the march – a costume provided by Peace Action to PSM and SDS.
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