In the News

By: Evan Casey

A recent uptick in hate crimes across the nation, including the most recent incidents in Pittsburgh and Kentucky, led some on the left in Wisconsin to respond with harsh words.

“These are dangerous times,” said Christine Neumann-Ortiz, executive director of Voces de la Frontera. “President Trump creates a new threat,” she said, adding that she believes President Trump’s rhetoric is only furthering the agenda of the far-right movement.

Neumann-Ortiz joined the mayor, and state and national representatives at a “No Hate in The Dairy State” press conference Thursday outside of the El Rey Plaza on Cesar Chavez Drive. The debate revolving around rhetoric leading to violent action has been active across the nation this past week, as many have pointed the finger at leaders who use discriminatory language when speaking about topics such as immigration or religion.

Many also took aim at Gov. Scott Walker at the press conference Thursday, as one of his more recent campaign ads said that Democratic nominee for Governor Tony Evers supports “illegals,” a term that many Hispanic and Latino individuals find offensive. “Governors like Scott Walker are completely uncritical (of President Trump) and are running on a shared platform of hate and scapegoating,” said Neumann-Ortiz.

Mayor Tom Barrett also called Gov. Walker’s ad “deplorable,” saying, “This is a tight election, and he’s getting desperate and trying to turn people against each other.”

Gov. Walker was contacted for this story but did not respond.

One of the main responses many speakers said was important was voting, as multiple speakers encouraged citizens to register to vote in the upcoming election—which is just five days away.

“We need to send a message as people of color on Tuesday, November 6, that we will not accept hate,” said Rep. JoCasata Zamarripa. She added that Wisconsin has had a long history of immigrants.

Congresswoman Gwen Moore also encouraged voting, saying, “The Republican Party is on the ballot.” She also said that Democrats are desperate because they want to “put a check on the president.”

A 2016 UW-Milwaukee study found that even though Latino voters represented only 9% of the Milwaukee city electorate, it is estimated that 56% of registered Latino voters turned out to vote in Milwaukee in the 2012 presidential election.

“There’s a lot on the line,” said Neumann-Ortiz. Voces de la Frontera is a non-profit organization focused on organizing community members to expand workers’ and immigrants’ rights. “It’s a motivation to continue to get the word out for Latino voters that right up to Election Day, we can still make a difference.”

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