The Milwaukee Democratic Socialists of America and their allies are set to deliver more than 10,000 petitions to City Hall (200 E Wells St.) on Friday, May 9, calling for public ownership of public utilities. The 6 p.m. delivery and adjoining rally are the latest move in the Power To The People coalition’s fight for public takeover of power utilities currently owned by We Energies.
“We Energies’ high rates are bleeding the people of Milwaukee dry, and the company’s sluggish adoption of sustainable energy fails to meet the urgency of the moment,” Andy Barbour, a chapter leader with Milwaukee DSA, said. “We must remove the profit motive from our public utility now.”
DSA-endorsed Common Councilor Alex Brower won his election in April with a public takeover of We Energies as part of his platform, and Power To The People organizers look forward to more city leaders joining Brower in this movement as residents from across the city voice their need for a change that is already taking place in cities across the country: from Long Island to Los Angeles.
SIGN THE PETITION: Tell City Hall Milwaukee Can Do Better Than We Energies
Current data show that public ownership of city utilities lowers cost for residents, decreases annual outage times and provides communities with democratic control of the resources used to generate their energy, allowing them recourse in the fight against climate change.
Milwaukee DSA is Milwaukee’s largest socialist organization fighting for a democratic economy, a just society, and a sustainable environment. Join today at dsausa.org/join. The Greater Milwaukee Green Party, Milwaukee Party for Socialism and Liberation, Milwaukee Teachers’ Education Association, Milwaukee Solidarity, North Side Rising and Our Wisconsin Revolution are joining them in this action as the Power To The People coalition.