Mass March for Driver’s Licenses & Citizenship
Wisconsin Immigrant Essential Workers are currently on a historic 9-day march from Milwaukee that left on Sunday, June 20th to conclude in a final mass march and rally at the State Capitol in Madison on Monday, June 28.
We’re putting pressure on the Biden Administration and Democrats in Congress to include citizenship for 11 million in the infrastructure and jobs budget bill that will be voted on this summer.
This is a critical moment of national escalation in the struggle, and when Democratic Members of Congress need to hear from us in Wisconsin! We have a chance to win, but need your support! This is how you can help:
- Visit our tool-kit here
- Donate here
- Join us for the final mass march and rally at the Wisconsin State Capitol on June 28th in Madison. Click here to RSVP.
Follow along with the journey with daily updates below!
Day 1/9: Hundreds of Immigrant Essential Workers and supporters embarked from the Voces Milwaukee office and commenced a 9-day, 90+ mile march from Milwaukee to Madison to demand Biden & Congress keep promises made to immigrant essential workers & their families and deliver citizenship for all!
It was also a Father’s Day community celebration that honored the immigrant parents with food, music, dance, and a community vaccine clinic.
We give a special thanks to our Day 1 sponsors: The Hmong American Women’s Association, American Federation of Teachers, Milwaukee Teachers Education Association, Democratic Socialists of America- Milwaukee Chapter, Coalition to end Cuba Embargo, and Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin
Day 2/9: The delegation of immigrant essential workers had a strong start picking up at the Greenfield Golf Course at Greenfield Ave & 121st St. Spirits were high as they made their way to the Voces Waukesha office, and were greeting by labor allies from the Milwaukee Labor Council along the way!
After a long day, the group made the final leg of the day 2 journey with extra support from Waukesha families and children. There was a feast waiting for them at the Voces Waukesha office. The delegation ate, rested, and shared community time by going on Facebook live to share reflections from the day. See the Facebook livestream here.
We give a special thanks to our Day 2 sponsors: DSA, Carpenters Union, Casa de Esperanza, SOPHIA
Day 3/9: The delegation of immigrant essential workers began Tuesday will a press conference outside of the Voces Waukesha office. See the Facebook livestream here. Speakers included:
Christine Neumann-Ortiz, Executive Director of Voces de la Frontera ; Lola and Jose Flores, immigrant essential small business owners in Waukesha and marchers; Milwaukee Alderwoman Marina Dimitrijevic, District 14; Tom Coyne, President of the Waukesha County Labor Council; Ricardo Sanchez, International Union of Painters and Allied Trades District Council 7; Bernie Gonzalez, Stewards of Prophetic Hopeful Intentional Action (SOPHIA); Maria de Pillar, Casa de Esperanza; Jim Schulz, Wisconsin Committee on Occupational Safety and Health (WIScosh)
The delegation then continued on their trek destined for Madison marching through Waukesha’s historic downtown drawing attention and support from onlookers seated outdoors at cafe’s and boutique restaurants. The marchers made it to the trailhead of the Glacial Drumlin Trail, their route for the rest of the day. Thanks to member José Moreles, the group was able to enjoy a much appreciated mid-day popsicle break!
Day 4/9: Wednesday the delegation took off from Wales, Wisconsin marching along the scenic Glacial Drumlin Trail. We were met with allies like Kelly Lempa who marched 11 miles with the delegation in solidarity.
Kelly, the wife of an immigrant, and a Wisconsin Public School social worker, shared with Voces that the struggle for Citizenship For All is a personal one, not just for her family, but for the children she serves.
Thank you Kelly and to all the other allies and supporters who have joined already and who plan to join us Monday, June 28th, for Day 9 and the final march in Madison from Olbrich Park to the Wisconsin State Capitol Building! It’s going to take all of us doing our part to win this victory!
Sí se puede!
Day 5 & 6: Friday was a special day as we were joined by Wisconsin Govenor Tony Evers and members of the Wisconsin Farmers Union for a press conference in Jefferson, WI on day 6 of our 9 day march to Madison. See the Facebook livestream here.
Gov. Evers reiterated the significance of restoring driver licenses for immigrants- an issue he championed and included in the state budget. Gov. Evers called on Republicans to stop playing politics and do what’s best for all Wisconsinites, regardless of their immigration status.
Day 7 & 8: We were joined by friends and family from the Milwaukee area and members of the Wisconsin Farmers Union. We had a tour of the Hinchley Dairy Farm and were nourished -body and soul- with a good meal to continue the last leg of the Glacial Drumlin Trail.
See the Facebook livestream here.
Day 9: See the Facebook livestream here of the dramatic and historic culmination of a nine-day march from Milwaukee to Madison calling on President Biden to support citizenship for all for undocumented essential workers and their families.
Hundreds of Voces members from Green Bay, Appleton, Fond du Lac, Racine, Waukesha, Madison, Milwaukee, and other cities came together and were joined by Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, Rev. Greg Lewis, the Madison mayor’s office.
After marching 3 miles from Olbrich Park to arrive at the Wisconsin State Capitol the delegation of immigrant essential workers received an emotional recognition of their nine-day march.