“A Major Political Event is Coming To Your City - What Should You Do?”

Dear Ministry Colleagues,

Over the past few months we have had extensive discussions with leaders in Peacemaking, Depolarizing, Civil Rights, and Emergency Management fields. We write to you today to introduce our Loving Your Neighbor in Election Season Project, but most importantly, to offer key context for a sensitive resource included in that project, “A Major Political Event is Coming To Your City - What Should You Do?”

We know the love that residents of Greater Milwaukee have for their home city, and the delights the summer season holds. Sports, music, waterfront, festivals, food and time with family all have their place. Some of our houses of worship open their doors to worship in the park and celebrate in the beauty of creation. Some of our staff live and work in Milwaukee and are part of the fabric of the community. Others join people from around the state in visiting regularly for business and pleasure. 

The recommendations on the two pages of “A Major Political Event…” come on strong. Our guidance is not because we fear the community itself. It is because we know that more than fifty thousand visitors will be coming to town this July, each with their own agendas. More than 4,500 law enforcement officers from out of town will be detailed to provide security during the Republican National Convention. They will not be familiar faces or names, nor will they be locally accountable in the ways we might ordinarily hope for. 

Our bargain with the Wisconsin Council of Churches’ network is that we will be honest and direct with you about difficult truths. We do not offer the recommendations on the following pages lightly. Respected professionals have had significant conversations with us about how to keep people safe during the convention window. We know that there are preparations being made for even graver events than the ones we consider in this guidance. We are grateful for those doing that work. 

We are asking you to consider some difficult and uncomfortable possibilities that we hope very much will not come to pass. We want you to be ready in case you, your loved ones, or your faith community are caught in challenging circumstances. It may sound extreme, but if everything gets complicated, it will happen very quickly. We do not want you caught unawares. If you are from out of town, choose another time to enjoy the city in all its glory! If you are from Milwaukee, please consider carefully what we have to say and what from these recommendations you might implement.

We offer this guidance out of love for Milwaukee, its residents, houses of worship and everyday holy places. If you are in another location where significant political events are taking place, these may be helpful to you as well. We will be holding an online prayer vigil July 15-18th to pray for impacted communities. More information will be provided to pastors soon. Additional resources for the whole of election season can be found on our website at wichurches.org/elections. Watch for prayers, best practices from around the state, webinars and more in the months to come.

Your friends at the Wisconsin Council of Churches