Milwaukee, WI

‘It must end’: Chancellor of UW-Milwaukee speaks out on protests

Published

2 weeks ago

May 9, 2024

‘It must end’: Chancellor of UW-Milwaukee speaks out on protests

MILWAUKEE — UW-Milwaukee’s chancellor says if the campus protest encampment does end soon, the school will take action to ensure that it does.

Demonstrators have been camped out for 10 days, demanding that UWM cut all ties with Israel over the war in Gaza.

in a letter shared with students and staff today, Chancellor Mark Mone called the camp a safety concern, and said the school is actively negotiating with the group, and is “asking protesters to end the encampment in no way equates to asking protesters to be silent.”

Read the full statement from the chancellor below:

“Dear UWM Students, Faculty and Staff,

We are bearing witness to history, not just at UWM, but across the nation and the world. For the past 10 days, UWM’s portion of this historic chapter has unfolded as an encampment on the lawn outside of Mitchell Hall. It tests us in ways not seen in generations and reminds us that such tests rarely come with one-size-fits-all answers. Knowing all this, I write to provide more clarity about UWM’s position, its obligations, and my personal hopes for how we move forward.

Conflict in the Middle East, as it has done for decades and centuries, inevitably sparks the deeply felt and seemingly diametrically opposed responses we see today. For many of our students and many more in the surrounding community, the encampment has become a focal point to voice these beliefs. Since the encampment’s inception, UWM leadership has sought the precarious balance required of a public university that serves a broadly diverse community. We’ve also made it clear that the encampment is unlawful, and that it must end.

UWM remains committed to preserving the safety of everyone within our campus community and to respecting free speech rights that are guided by Universities of Wisconsin policy and Wisconsin state law. I appreciate that the protests have remained peaceful and have not disrupted daily campus operations. And it is laudable that so many learning opportunities have been incorporated into life inside the encampment. This is a reflection of our campus community as a whole – and I salute the many instances of people coming together, discussing issues of the day, and welcoming the diverse people and opinions on our campus.

It’s in that spirit that UWM has used the widest possible amount of patience and restraint while the protesters exercise their free speech rights. Throughout conversations with community members and representatives of the protesters, UWM has been consistent in its desire for a peaceful resolution. We’ve maintained this approach even as protesters erected barriers, expanded their camp, and used rhetoric that’s offensive to many in our community. I recognize that many people believe UWM has offered too much leeway, while others will say we’ve not offered enough. I also recognize that people can strongly disagree with what others say while still supporting their right to say it.

It’s important to note some specifics about UWM’s approach, which has been engaged and hands-on, because it has differed from many others across the nation that have drawn media attention.

UWM Police have continually monitored the encampment but not intervened. UWM has not called in law enforcement mutual aid for enforcement purposes. We do not want to take such action. But in the event of a public safety concern or an emergency, UWM Police will exercise its authority to keep the campus community safe.
The UWM Foundation has shared its message addressing protesters’ concerns about its investments. In summary, it confirmed UWM’s consistently stated position of having no direct investments in weapons manufacturers or with Middle East governments, though it does hold mutual equity funds that include a variety of major industries.
We are actively negotiating with representatives of the protest group and have addressed the protesters’ demands as much as state laws and policy allow. We’ve also explained how UWM, as a public university, cannot take political stances or infringe on academic freedom.

The protesters have said they want the encampment to end, and I believe we all genuinely share this goal. However, they have remained steadfast about not leaving their encampment until all of their demands are met, including those that are legally impossible for UWM to meet. Therein lies the conundrum.

UWM is simply not equipped nor properly resourced to support and safeguard a long-term outdoor campground. This is part of why such encampments are unlawful under Chapter 18 of the Wisconsin Administrative Code, and why Gov. Tony Evers, Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson and Universities of Wisconsin President Jay Rothman have all said the encampments must end. The longer the encampment stays, the greater safety concerns grow, be it from a counter protest flashpoint or bad actors deliberately targeting the encampment. This is why we’ve gone to such great lengths to work with protesters to bring an end to the encampment. However, if the encampment doesn’t end soon, UWM will have to take action to ensure that it does.

Asking protesters to end the encampment in no way equates to asking protesters to be silent. On the contrary, our actions have shown how much UWM encourages and supports everyone’s right to make their voices heard. This will not change.

UWM’s only request to the protesters is that they abide by the law. It is my great hope that we can find common ground on this and remove the barriers that keep us from seeking answers together.”

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Milwaukee, WI

Critical missing Milwaukee woman; police seek public's help

Published

1 hour ago

May 19, 2024

Press Room

Critical missing Milwaukee woman; police seek public's help

article

MILWAUKEE – The Milwaukee Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in locating a critically missing 27-year-old Milwaukee woman.

Police said Bria Jones was last seen at 5:45 p.m. Sunday, May 19, near 78th and Silver Spring.

Jones is described as 5 feet 4 inches tall, weighing approximately 145 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a blue jean jacket, blue shirt, white pants and white shoes.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call MPD – District 4 at 414-935-7242.

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Milwaukee, WI

Milwaukee police chase, driver charged had warrant: complaint

Published

8 hours ago

May 19, 2024

Press Room

Milwaukee police chase, driver charged had warrant: complaint

article

MILWAUKEE – A Milwaukee man is accused of leading police on a more than four-mile chase on Thursday, May 9.

Prosecutors charged 33-year-old Nicholas Rice with two felonies in the case. Prosecutors said the Jeep he was driving was involved in a homicide.

According to a criminal complaint, police initially spotted the Jeep driving approximately 70 mph on Burleigh Street, where the speed limit is 30 mph, and an officer tried to pull it over. Instead, the driver took off.

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The Jeep sped led officers on a chase that spanned more than four miles at speeds over 80 mph on residential streets, the complaint states. During the chase, the Jeep ran seven red lights and eight stop signs, drove on the wrong side of traffic and nearly hit numerous occupied vehicles.

The pursuit came to an end near 76th and Appleton when the Jeep ran over stop sticks. The driver, then identified as Rice, was taken into custody. The complaint states he had a warrant out through the Department of Corrections and was wanted for second-degree reckless homicide and hit-and-run; court records do not indicate he had any open cases at the time of the chase.

Rice made his initial appearance on May 15, and court records show his cash bond was set at $15,000.

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Milwaukee, WI

Now 91, Willie Nelson shows he’s as strong as ever at BMO Pavilion concert in Milwaukee

Published

15 hours ago

May 19, 2024

Press Room

Now 91, Willie Nelson shows he’s as strong as ever at BMO Pavilion concert in Milwaukee

Evidently, Willie Nelson really can’t wait to get on the road again.

Less than a year after bringing his Outlaw Music Festival to Alpine Valley — and less than a month after turning 91 — the country legend was back on a Milwaukee stage Saturday night at the BMO Pavilion. It was Milwaukee’s first big outdoor concert of the year.

It was clear he wasn’t playing out of habit or ego. Of the many Willie Nelson concerts I’ve seen in town over the past decade, Saturday’s was among his most engaging.

Sure, the set was short at just 62 minutes, as has been the case for a while now, and the setlist was heavy on familiar standards. Age perhaps has prompted him to sit for the entire show, and Nelson let the newest member of his Family band, Waylon Payne, take lead vocals for three songs: Merle Haggard’s “Workin’ Man Blues,” and Kris Kristofferson’s “Help Me Make It Through the Night” and “Me and Bobby McGee.”

But even then, Nelson never coasted, singing most of the words to “Me and Bobby McGee.” He was especially animated for “Workin’ Man Blues,” peppering the performance with grooving guitar licks on his trusty and battered acoustic guitar Trigger and ending the jam with a kick of his right leg and a proud thumbs up from Payne.

It was through Trigger that Nelson’s passion shined most Saturday night.

There’s long been a roughness to his strumming that can be off-putting for the unprepared, but that’s part of the charm of a Willie Nelson show. And there remain plenty of diamonds in that rough.

He contradicted the sentiment of “Still Is Still Moving to Me” with swift and nimble Spanish guitar-style runs, and channeled Chuck Berry with ’50s rock swagger on Hank Williams’ “Move It on Over.” With tender, contemplative melodies he teed up his longest running tour mate Mickey Raphael, who offered a response via soulful harmonica solo for “Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground.” (The band was rounded out by Paul English on drums, and Kevin Smith on bass Saturday.)

And with understated but undeniably smirking bravado, Nelson’s guitar dazzle for “I Never Cared for You” was the equivalent of dancing on a vanquished foe’s grave.

While his guitar runs would often soar, Nelson as a vocalist remains engagingly down to earth, the direct, conversational tone of his voice seasoned ever so slightly with a sprinkle of soul or a splash of sass.

That approach served Saturday’s punchlines much better than a heavy wink and nudge, drawing hollers with his cool evisceration of “Mr. Purified Country” by asking “is your head so far up that you can’t pull it out” on “Write Your Own Songs,” and drawing laughs singing about looking good in his jeans on Mac Davis’ “It’s Hard to Be Humble.”

Nelson’s gentle vocal delivery also enhanced his fleeting moments of rambunctiousness, like the growl of his voice in the repeated utterance of “Mamma” for a boisterous singalong of Ed and Patsy Bruce’s “Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys.”

And it’s a safe bet that Nelson’s rendition of “Always on My Mind” Saturday will be burned into many Milwaukee fans’ memories: the humble confessions of his neglect, the lonesome guitar lines conveying the depth of his regrets.

That song, and the 20 others Nelson touched on Saturday, were received with an immense level of gratitude fitting for a goodbye. But Nelson also made it clear, through intact talent and his own appreciation, that he’s not ready to bow out just yet. So long as he’s still able to tour, there’s no doubt Nelson would be happy to see Milwaukee again after he turns 92.

5 takeaways from Willie Nelson’s Milwaukee concert, including opener Ryan Larkins

It was a perfect night for the season’s first major outdoor concert in Milwaukee, with clear skies and a cool breeze coming off the lake.
When the show ended, in between blowing kisses, Nelson tossed a cowboy hat into the crowd like a frisbee and threw out a few red bandanas, including one he pulled off his head.
Two other fans also special recognition from Nelson during “Always on My Mind.” He noticed the women standing right in front of him near the song’s end, giving them a wave as he sang before he made them the subjects of his song, pointing to them and smiling as he sang. When the song ended, the women gave each other a huge hug.
The moment Willie Nelson launched into “Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die,” the smell of marijuana wafted through my section of the pavilion. Nelson no doubt would be proud.
Opener Ryan Larkins confessed to being nervous on the BMO Pavilion stage Saturday playing for one of the largest crowds of his career opening for his favorite artist. But it was the only evidence of nerves across a 25-minute set marked by Larkins’ humility and smooth baritone (close your eyes when he talked and you could almost imagine Austin Butler was channeling Elvis). Larkins honored his predecessors in multiple ways, like with a bluster-free cover of “I Love This Bar” in honor of the late Toby Keith, and with original “King of Country Music” that name-drops loads of legends and honors country music craftsmanship. It’s Larkins’ first song to hit country radio, but don’t let that aw-shucks charm fool you — he’s already scored a hit as a songwriter, Cody Johnson’s “The Painter,” which he saved for last, not so much to boast of his bona fides but to honor the song’s inspiration, his wife of 15 years.