Northside Rising marches against end of energy assistance and for green jobs

Photos by Robert Bell

On Thursday, July 16, 2020, Northside Rising held a rally seeking divestment from WE Energies (also known as Wisconsin Electric), a waiver of their planned moratorium on energy assistance, and investment in green, net-zero carbon jobs that are not monopolized by the company. Investing more in a climate justice plan, as well as a solution to the depletion of job opportunity for Milwaukee’s Northside, would be a step in the right direction for the city’s Black residents.

The rally began at the Victory Garden Park in the Harambee neighborhood. Speakers included Pastor Jonathan Barkan, Supreme Moore Omukunde, Dana Kelly (top photo), and George Martin of Milwaukee 350 (below photo).

Amidst the COVID-19 crisis there are many issues that, while already present before, are being exacerbated because of the material conditions of the pandemic. One of those issues is the high cost of utilities in spite of high unemployment, at levels comparable to those seen during the Great Depression, particularly on Milwaukee’s Northside.