January 29, 2026

Greetings!

We stand with the people of Minneapolis. To show support for their effort to curtail ICE, we will again have a presence in Mount Horeb on Friday, February 6. We will again display warning signs of fascism, which are more relevant each day. Be sure to check our next newsletter which will announce a special Melt Ice Reimagine Resistance and other important actions.

Also, be aware that Tuesday, February 17, is Primary Election Day for local races and Dane County Circuit Court.

Pledge to vote in EVERY election

MOUNT HOREB POP UP RALLY

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 3 PM

AT LIBERTY PARK

Our powerful sign brigade will once again line Springdale Street in Mount Horeb on Friday, February 6, 3:00 - 4:30 pm. We will meet at Liberty Park, 1201 Cox Drive. This action is driven by the recent murder of Alex Jeffrey Pretti, gunned down by ICE thugs in Minneapolis. It is driven by the countless acts of violence against "we the people" perpetrated by the Trump regime. It is driven by the lack of due process and acts of brutal barbarism. It is driven by the use of secret police, and by the inhumanity and immorality which have been brought to bear.

We encourage folks to bring signs that memorialize Renee and Alex. We ask that you display your signs before or after the rows of featured signs. Please dress for the weather and bring to this peaceful assembly your resolve to resist fascism in all of its forms.

On Saturday, February 7th the Iowa County Democratic Party will be holding a charity potluck fundraiser at the Ridgeway Community Center to benefit two local charities which include the Ridgeway Public Library and the Bona Dea Project and the Ridgeway Volunteer Library. The potluck will serve chili (both meat and vegetarian), pulled pork sliders, cornbread, chocolate brownies and a hot drink. Suggested donation is $10, or pay as you are able. The potluck will run from 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m., and the address is 208 Jarvis St. in Ridgeway. Come join us and lend a hand to benefit these worthwhile charities!"

Chance To Meet A Candidate For 
District 51 Assembly Race

Many who been to SWWAP events have heard Ben Gruber speak. Ben announced his candidacy for District 51 Assembly race. He too has chosen to kick off his campaign in Ridgeway on February 7, 208 Jarvis St. in Ridgeway. So, why not enjoy a great lunch courtesy of our friends in Iowa County, and meet a candidate for Wisconsin legislature.

Ben writes, We’d love to have you join us at our community campaign launch event FEBRUARY 7th in Ridgeway, at the Ridgeway Community Center. We have some friends and volunteers who will be providing a “pay what you can” lunch, with proceeds going to local Ridgeway community charities. We will start at noon, and end at 2:00pm. If you can get there early you can catch the first Ridgeway Winter Market of the season at the Community center from 10 am to Noon!

Above: Ben Gruber addresses SWWAP rally attendees in Mt. Horeb

WORTH REPEATING

If you are sick to your stomach and wondering what you can do to help our neighbors in Minnesota - we have some possibilities for you to consider.

You may be interested and able to share pertinent information with friends and family who are wondering how they can help our neighbors in MN. It's hard to believe this is the point we are at in our country. It's just unimaginable. There are several links below to take you to a website where you can get more information about ways you can help!

Corrine Hendrickson has been in personal contact with small business owners and child care educators in Minnesota asking how we, in Wisconsin, can best support them. Their response was that because of the USDA's decision to cut funding--the food pantry statewide network could use donations. 

Link:https://mn.gov/mcla/community-resources/recien-llegados.jsp?id=1099-605770

Second, the Immigrant Defense Fund is working hard on behalf of those in Minnesota whose rights are being denied. https://immigrantdefensenetwork.org/

Here is an article that outlines numerous ways for you to support immigrant communities in the Twin Cities.

Below are also a few Linktrees outlining options.

• MN50501 Mutual Aid Resources
• Minneapolis Mutual Aid

Thank you for anything you do to help our neighbors in Minnesota!!

Our Hearts go out to those in Minnesota who endure ICE's thuggery. We stand in solidarity, against the unlawful oppression. Two observers of the terror campaign have been murdered. Many, many more have been terrorized. The unlawful and unconstitutional action MUST STOP! SWWAP will soon be announcing local actions and programming which speak to this issue.

THREE THINGS TO DO IMMEDIATELY

1. Call your federal representatives and demand defunding and reining in of ICE.
2. Contact your State Representatives and Governor Evers demanding that ICE is not allowed to operate with impunity in Wisconsin.
3. Show up! On the streets and at the ballot box. Be like the the tens of thousands in Minnesota who have taken a stand against Trump's regime of depravity. We are the guardrails protecting American values for ourselves and future generations who follow.

From large cities to small villages, people are showing their outrage. Above is a photo a recent Dodgeville vigil for Alex Pretti, murdered in Minneapolis by ICE. - Photo by Elizabeth Grabe

A Knock Upon The Door

BLONDE BLACKMAIL

HEAR FROM THE CANDIDATES

Governor Evers will not be running in this year's important Governor's election. There is a vibrant group of Democrats vying for chance to run the office. A wonderful forum was held recently by Main Street Alliance. The outcome of the race will have a direct effect on how Wisconsin deals with the federal overreach.

FIRST 2026 ELECTION FEBRUARY 17!

A good place to read local candidate Q & A is the Mount Horeb Mail. Currently you can get issues of the paper at Mt. Horeb Kwik Trip or Walgreens. The paper is available online or by subscription, https://mounthorebmail.com/.

Many who receive this newsletter will have the opportunity to vote in the Spring Primary Election on Tuesday, February 17, 2026.

Check to see what will be on your ballot at https://myvote.wi.gov/en-us/Whats-On-My-Ballot. Contact your municipal clerk for early in-person voting hours. Absentee ballots can be obtained at myvote.wi.gov or by request to your specific municipal clerk.

Contributions to SWWAP are appreciated but not tax deductible.