SCOTUS Decisions, Madison and MKE ICE Activity, and July 4th Fireworks Roundup

Elon Musk going to be coming in for our gubernatorial race. Like, who knows, this is attracting some big national attention. We've already seen, you know, Francesca Hong, one of the candidates on the Democratic side did a stream with big, big streamer Hasan Piker earlier this week. So people are definitely paying attention to what's going on in Wisconsin here. Yeah, absolutely. All right. Well, this has been a great breakdown of the federal news and how it impacts us here in Wisconsin. And we've got some more news to get into. But I am curious, too. We want to hear from you, listeners. What questions do you have about these stories or anything else that is coming down the line from the U.S. Supreme Court and how it will affect us here in Wisconsin? Give us a call. Send us a text. Leave a voicemail. Our citycast Madison hotline is 60831. We love hearing from you. And, you know, we'd love to include your thoughts on an upcoming mailbag segment or help guide our future coverage. Again, that number is 608-38-38-38-3367. We've got some more news to dig into right around the corner. We're going to be talking about ice activity here in Wisconsin. So stay close and we will be right back.

All right, we are back, and there is news of increased and public immigration enforcement that has been bubbling up across Wisconsin. I'm sure folks listening have been seeing this. Earlier this week, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security confirmed that 39 people had been arrested over the weekend in Wisconsin as part of a, quote, targeted operation by U.S. immigration and customs enforcement, aka ICE. Much of this activity happened in Milwaukee. But on Tuesday, Immigrants' Rights Group Voses de la Frontera confirmed ICE activity and detentions right here in the Madison area as well. And I really want to pause here and note why this story is a big deal. because this is something that we've been watching, but as Wisconsin Watch has reported, this most recent ICE activity marks a really big departure from how the agency has operated in Wisconsin in the past year, because ICE has been here. But what's new with this most recent activity in Madison and Milwaukee is the public and honestly violent nature of these detentions. Wisconsin Watch reports that most of the at least 1,700 immigration arrests in Wisconsin that have taken place over the past year have happened in prisons, jails, courts, and the DHS field office in downtown Milwaukee. So more private, more contained incidents. But now these public daylight arrests, like what we have seen in this past week, are becoming more common here. This has been rare, but this is now popping up. At a press conference in Milwaukee Tuesday, several people who were detained by ICE in Milwaukee spoke about their experiences, and they detailed acts of what I would simply label as extreme aggression from these agents. I'm not going to get into specifics here, but we're talking about smashed windows. vulgar language, use of physical force against detainees. And in some cases, these actions have been done in front of children. This is a really heavy story, and I do want to hold some space for that. Jade, how has this news been hitting you? I mean, it's scary. Like, I think, frankly, it just is scary. And, you know, we watched our neighbors in the Twin Cities. really faced this earlier in the year. And I think maybe people in Madison and in Wisconsin got sort of like hyper vigilant planning for what will happen if ICE comes to Madison and to Wisconsin. But then there was nothing. You know, there was sort of a lull in an activity. It was showing up, at least for me, less on my social media feeds. And so it just feels like it came out of the blue. And. It's unsettling, I guess. Yeah, it absolutely is. And I think...

You're hitting that nail right on the head there feeling like it really came out of the blue. But again, it's like, yeah, ICE has been here and they have been detaining people. But again, it's been more of these closed doors situations rather than out in broad daylight where people are tracking cars and people are tracking incidents. And now people are much more guarded and have their eyes peeled to the ground to see what's going on. And I want to turn this story. back to Madison because as I mentioned, voses confirmed ice activity around fish hatchery in Fitchburg and near a laundromat on Todd Drive that resulted in two detentions here in town. And... You know, this activity is already having rippling effects across the Madison community. A little personal anecdote here. I told you all earlier this year that I would be watching the World Cup this year like many people are. And like so much of the world, I have been rooting for Team Mexico. And on Tuesday night, Mexico faced off against Ecuador. And the downtown club Roxy right off of State Street was set to hold this like big watch party. that was put on in partnership with Liga Mad, which is an upcoming Madison Soccer League and a few other local organizations and business owners. But the organizers actually ended up canceling that event because of the recent ICE activity. They said in an Instagram post, quote, the safety and well-being of our community will always come first. While we were looking forward to sharing this evening with everyone, we believe postponing the event is the most responsible decision at this. time, unquote. So, like, I know it might feel like this is small potatoes to cancel, you know, a soccer match watch party, but, like, I think it really underscores the genuine fear and the concerns that this recent ice activity has brought up in our community, you know, right? It's like... Why, yeah, why would you not cancel this event that is going to be gathering what is likely going to be a large Mexican population right in one place? People are right to be worried on a day when there was ice activity in Madison. Like it is, it is real and it is scary. Yeah, and there's something about it happening during the World Cup that really, like, sucks. Like, it's like this is a time where there's so much pride in people's backgrounds, like, rooting for their home countries. And... It just sucks. It just sucks, Haley. Yeah. I mean, there's no other words to put to it, right? I think we're kind of, like you said, in this mode where people are a little bit gobsmacked by what's going on because things so far this year have been pretty quiet. And now, you know, what's happening in Milwaukee is very scary and seeing things spill on over into Madison and, you know, throughout the rest of the state, too. It's really, I think, reviving these fears that people felt earlier this year when things were super.

intense in the Twin Cities. Things are very much still intense in the Twin Cities. We're just not hearing about it as much. You know, like there is definitely still ice activity happening out there. There has always been ice activity happening here. And now it's just in front of the public. And I'm really kind of curious to see. If and how Madisonians react, you know, like Madison was very quick to protest, you know, following the killings of Renee Good and Alex Preti in the Twin Cities. Like, will Madison stand up? Will there be organizations? Will there be rallies at the Capitol? How will Madisonians deal with this? Is kind of what I'm wondering here. I did want to make one last point here, which is just kind of a general reminder of how law enforcement had said they would respond to and work with or not work with federal immigration officers. So this information is coming from reporting that the Cap Times published back in January. They went through and asked all of our local law agencies, What will you do if and when ice comes to town? So starting with UWPD, UWPD said their department won't participate in ICE actions. They said, quote, UWPD officers will not detain or arrest an individual based solely on suspected violation of immigration law and will not routinely inquire about an individual's immigration status. So UWPD said no dice here. I know the university has also set up some resources. online for, you know, immigrant employees, students, faculty, and whatnot. So definitely be sure to check out those resources online if folks have questions. When it comes to the Madison Police Department, their policy says, quote, an individual's immigration status is immaterial with respect to MPD's mission statement, vision statement. core values, and operational systems. Immigration status is only relevant when an officer reasonably believes that an individual has committed serious crimes directly related to public safety. So there are times when MPD says they will cooperate with ICE, but those circumstances have to rise to a pretty serious occasion, and that includes someone being suspected of terrorism or espionage or someone who has been arrested for a violent fact. As a reminder, too, ICE often rolls up in these unmarked cars with dark tinted windows. And so do a lot of cops, right? So do a lot of unmarked police vehicles. But earlier this year, back in February, Madison Police Department announced that they would add placards to the windshields of many of their unmarked vehicles that say, these cars belong to MPD, basically trying to assuage some of those fears that people have because if you see yourself being followed by an unmarked car or you see unmarked cars and parking lots, that could be ice. But MPD is essentially saying, we want to.

to get ahead of that confusion. These are the place cards. They are clearly visible in their windshield. If you are not sure what kind of car you are looking at, look for those placards in the windshield for sure. And then lastly, the Dane County Sheriff's Office has said that they will not, quote, proactively assist federal immigration agents unless there are exigent circumstances or a significant threat to the Dane County community. So kind of similar to MPD, they don't want to deal with immigration statuses. They don't want to deal with ICE. They don't want to deal with Homeland Security. If it is a massive issue, if it is a matter of, you know, public safety, though, they will step in. So I want to give folks, you know, just at least some resources here for updates on ice activity in Madison and, you know, the Wisconsin area. I definitely recommend people following the Voses de la Frontera social media accounts. Yeah, I went to a training with Vosas earlier this year. And one of the things that I took away from that is that. It does more harm than good if you think that you see ice to start posting on your own social media because it can really start, you know, a lot of fear and rumors. And so they recommend if you see something that you think is ice, like you see a unmarked car, you see, you know, what you think are ice agents at, you know, a restaurant. Call their... emergency hotline. That number is 1-800-427-0213. Again, say this in your phone, 1-800-4-2-7-0213. That's a really great call out, Jade. We definitely don't want to be adding more fear or adding more confusion to these circumstances. So again, call and verify first. So we're going to be keeping our eyes on this story as things develop. In the meantime, know your rights. Stay informed. Save that number to your phone. We've got some lighter news just around the bend to discuss. Our newsletter editor, Rob Thomas, will be joining us to talk about some Fourth of July festivities. So stick around and we will be right back.

Alrighty, we are back and the 4th of July is coming up this weekend, which means barbecues, picnics, and lots of fireworks. Maybe, does it? I don't know. Right here with us now is our newsletter editor, Rob Thomas, our events man out on the street. He is now on the mic to tell us what is happening this weekend. Rob, welcome to the podcast. Hi, Haley, that's a lot of buildup. I don't know if I can live up on that. I feel like you're my hype man today. I want to be everyone's hype man here every day. Yeah. I think you're just excited about Fourth of July coming up this Saturday, right? I mean, I am, you know? Tell us what's going on. Are we going to get fireworks? Well, are you guys big fireworks people? Do you like to lay out the grass and watch the pyrotechnics? Oh, I do. And I also, folks might have... gathered. I live in Manona. So I get a good fireworks display every year from the city of Manona. I do typically go to the Manona one as well. In the past, I think I did do, it was either Shake the Lake or Rhythm and Booms. I don't remember what year this was happening, but I did one of those where you could see them over the lake. And that was cool. And then immediately after they're like, we're done with this forever. So that's when I started going to Manona. But I love going to see fireworks. It was very much like a family activity for me as a child growing up. Our tradition with my daughters and they're young was to go to this big parking lot on. University Avenue and watch the fireworks that Shorewood Hills would shoot off from Black Hawk Country Club. And it was really fun because like the whole neighborhood would come out and park their cars and people would sit on the roofs or like you'd open up the hatchback and sit in the back and people would bring popcorn and candy. And like to me like fireworks are like great for five to 10 minutes. But like the real value is like everybody getting together on the ground and watching them. Right. So we were going to have a big. fireworks event on Lake Mendota called Bucky and Booms and would have taken over both UW Memorial Union Terrace and the Edgewater Hotel, kind of following the footsteps of Rhythm and Booms and shake the lake from several years ago. But like almost immediately after it was announced, the organizer said, actually, you know what, no fireworks. And now it's called stars, stripes, and shorelines. Sure. Sure. Why not? I would love to have been in the meeting when they came up with that one. So the organizers never actually said why they were putting the kibosh on the fireworks, but in the Wisconsin State Journal, Spielbauer fireworks based in Green Bay, which was going to handle the fireworks display, said the cancellation came down to a lack of organization with parties. not moving in the quote, same direction at the same time to coordinate the event. The event will now feature a day of live music. And I know they're doing yoga on the terrace to start the day, which sounds pretty cool. The Madison City Ski Team is going to be doing a performance out on the lake. So it still sounds like a lot of fun. And maybe next year they'll get the fireworks together and maybe hopefully change the name. I don't know.

I mean, immediately when I heard that they were changing the name from Bucky and Booms, I thought that maybe UW was like filing a copyright or something against them. I was like, oh, someone did not clear the usage of the name Bucky. But, you know, then it was like, oh, just kidding, no fireworks. I was like, oh, big bummer. Bucky was fine. It was the booms that they were having trouble with. It's the booms. So where can you go see fireworks? Well. Forward FC is planning a fireworks show after its July 4th game at Bree Stevens Field against Peoria City. The game starts at 6.30 and the fireworks show will start around 9.30 p.m. and last, they say 12 minutes. And that's part of a whole 4th of July celebration as part of the game. The night before Festival Foods is going to host its annual fireworks show. on July 3rd at the Duck Pond. So this is pretty cool. One ticket will get you into see the Madison Nightmares Play at 305, and then the Mallard's play at 605, and then the fireworks at 9.30. And if that's not enough, nightmares or fireworks come back the next night because there's going to be fireworks after the 6.30 p.m. Nightmares game on July 4th. They're really trying to get me to go out. I have no plans to go to the nightmares this week, but they have a great theme on Thursday tonight. And then the fireworks on the third and the fourth. It's like they're just asking me to buy a ticket. Don't they know you're working drag bingo that night and Manona? I mean. I think it'll be okay. My drag is, my drag bingoes in the morning. Okay, good. Okay, good. Yeah, they should call you next time, I think. Yeah. And so otherwise, communities kind of a round mass that are playing fireworks for the night as well. As you mentioned, the Minona Community Festival will have their fireworks show on July 4th, starting at 920 at Winnequa Park. Come early, as we say, to see Jada at drag bingo, but there's like a full day of really cool stuff going on. Can I give my, I just need to. pin this in for folks who are coming to Manona for the fireworks. You got to come early, like partially to see, you know, me volunteer at drag bingo. But also, if you're trying to come later in the evening, like right before fireworks, you are not going to find parking. You're going to be in your car while fireworks are happening. Like, traffic gets bad. Just already be here, you know, be at the festival, go on some rides, drink some lemonade, and then catch the fireworks. And then... Don't be an asshole when you're driving away. The amount of people last year who were like honking and getting in fights. And I got in a fight with someone who I was walking away from the fireworks and there was a car that was driving and there was like tons of people, kids, you know, on the street getting back to their cars or their homes. And she was on her phone. her windows were down, and I said, stop texting. And she goes, I'm not texting. I'm looking up Google Maps. I'm like, still. Same thing. Same thing. Eyes on the road when there's children in the road. When there's people in the road. Eyes on the road. Tell them, Jade. I'm going to get in a fight with you if you're not good on your drive out, is what I'm saying. Yeah. So go to Monoan Community Festival, but behave yourself because Jade is going to be there. It's just watching you and watching what you're doing with your phones. So.

Yeah, I mean, if you can't at all walk, bike, it's much, much better than trying to deal traffic. I think that that advice goes. Well, for like any of these events, like Maple Bluffs Best on the Fourth will include fireworks at dusk at Beach Park. Sherwood Hills would do their display, like I said before, at Black Hawk Country Club, and Wanaki will shoot off their fireworks as part of its Wanabombeam celebration at Rip Park. That's supposed to start about 9.45 p.m. And earlier in the day, there's going to be a special America 250 celebration on the Capitol Square at 10.30 a.m. On July 4th, the Capitol City Band will play in a salute to troops past and present, and there will also be a color guard presentation by local VFW posts. So what's going on? I'm so excited for all these fireworks. And we should also note that we're going to be off tomorrow for the 4th of July. But if you're craving more citycast, the latest episode of our national podcast, your city could be better, will be dropping in this feed tomorrow morning. Our CEO David Plotz is going to go head to head on U.S. trivia with one of the funniest journalists around Alexandra Petri. And things get competitive, I'm told. I'm excited. Sounds like the perfect long weekend listening for us all. Rob, thank you so much for rounding up these fireworks for us. No bucky and booms, but still booms to behold throughout Madison. All these neighborhoods are coming together to do a little bit of community celebrating. And that is a perfect segue into our neighborhood shout out, the place where our city cast Madison neighbors get to shout out things, people, places, everything that they love about this city. So, Jade, who are we shouting out first? Deb N is shouting out Groundlands Theater in Wannocky. They're producing Pride and Prejudice on July 17th through the 19th and then again July 24th through the 26th for just five bucks. Wow, can't beat that. We love a shout out to local theater and a deal. We've got another shout out here from Sean S. They are shouting out Wisconsin Weekly Harvest. They bring Whisco Farmer's goods to your door, all via an easy order online website. I love the sound of that. And lastly, Sarah W. says, I'd like to shout out my coworkers at the Old Brook Gardens gift shop. What an amazing group of smart, creative, silly humans.

You make everything brighter. That's awesome. And I'm also grateful to my smart, creative, and silly coworkers. Yeah, I feel that's so hard, Sarah W. It's nice to work with great people. That might be my favorite shoutout. And I love those kinds of shoutouts. If you're a neighbor, you can send in any kind of shout out. This is awesome. And like I said, if you want to become a neighbor, it is not too hard. Just head to membership.com.fm. slash Madison. You will get the great perk of being able to share your shoutout, both here on the podcast and in our citycast Madison newsletter. But you'll also get more perks like add free listening, member exclusive events. and emails and you'll also hear our neighbors only segment right here on this podcast which is coming up next we're going to be talking about why wisconsin is getting two million eggs this story is wild there is collusion there is conspiracy there are eggs You don't want to miss it. So if you're a neighbor, you're going to hear that soon. And if you want to become a neighbor and hear this part of the show and get these other perks, again, just head to membership.citycast.com.fm. slash Madison. Well, that brings us to the end of this week's Thursday news round up. Jade Issyri Ramos. Thank you so much for being here. It's always a blast. And Rob Thomas, have a wonderful booming weekend. Thank you, great to see you guys.

That's all for today here on CityCast Madison. I'm executive producer Haley Sperling, sitting in for your host, Bianca Martin. We're produced by Jade Issyri Ramos. Katie McMurran is our post-production producer with help this week from Laura Sutsui. Our theme music is by Carl Christensen. Additional music by Wendy Marchini and Sarah, the Il instrumentalist from Epidemic Sounds via Getty Images. Rob Thomas is our newsletter editor. You can get more news delivered right to your inbox by subscribing to the CityCast Madison. newsletter. Do it now. I promise you will not regret it. And Beck Henrickson is our audience development manager. Beck, welcome to the team. We are so stoked to have you here. Be sure to follow our social media channels because Beck is going to be bringing some heat soon enough. All righty. And then don't forget, you can also support this show and get great perks by becoming a city cast Madison neighbor. Just head to membership.citycast.fm slash Madison. And if you enjoyed today's show, why not show this episode with someone who wants to talk about local news? Well, watching the fireworks. Again, we will be off tomorrow for the July 4th holiday. So we will see you back here Monday morning with more news from around the city. But don't forget, you can also listen to your city could be better in the meantime, dropping right here on our feeds Friday morning. Until then, take good. care, thanks for listening, and have a happy and safe 4th of July weekend.