[Milwaukee, WI] – On Tuesday, June 20, Governor Tony Evers officially signed into law AB245/SB301, more commonly recognized as the new Shared Revenue Agreement. This deal is being touted as a successful bipartisan accomplishment between Wisconsin Democrats and Republicans that will keep Milwaukee “financially stable.” For the Milwaukee Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression and Freedom Road Socialist Organization – Wisconsin, this deal sells out Milwaukee and marks an attack on progressive movements.
This deal hides opportunistic and reactionary policies behind the veil of financial stability. Put plainly, this “compromise” is a massive victory for the most reactionary segments of the ruling class in this state and their political running dogs in both the Republican and Democratic Parties. It’s the worst assault on the people’s movements in Wisconsin since the victories achieved coming out of the George Floyd Uprising of 2020, and constitutes an overall attack on the democratic rights of the masses of people in Milwaukee and across the state.
For Milwaukee, it means a reintroduction of police officers in schools, the forcing of still more police on our streets, and further reducing the already limited ability for the people to have any say over policing in their communities. These bills are a direct response to policy wins over the police secured by the Milwaukee Alliance and other community organizing efforts, including the banning of chokeholds, elimination of no-knock warrants, and a policy forcing the timely public release of video footage of police crimes.
While the passing into law of these fundamentally reactionary bills is certainly a setback, it will not defeat the will of the people. Grassroots fights led by the Milwaukee Alliance and members of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization for greater democratic rights will continue undeterred. We take aim not only at securing these people-centered reforms, but also at the overall system that allows these types of anti-democratic rollbacks to occur in the first place. We are resolved to continue struggling for a better world for all working and oppressed people.
