June 4, 2026

BELOW: An inspirational song written and performed by Ken Lonnquist, joined by John Greenler, at the May 16 SWWAP event in Mount Horeb.

Missed a copy of the Newsletter? You can now find past issues at; https://swwap.org/archive/

TWO VERY DIFFERENT EVENTS

ON JUNE 14TH!

The current President of the United States was born on June 14^th, 1946. He is throwing himself a party for his 80^th birthday. The Southwest Wisconsin Area Progressives (SWWAP) organization is also planning an event on June 14^th an entry in the Mt. Horeb Summer Frolic Parade featuring the always entertaining Forward Marching Band. The reasons behind the two occasions could not be more different!

Trump’s penchant for grandiose events will feature the "Ultimate Fighting Championship” billed as “Freedom250" on the South Lawn of the White House. The live event will feature a massive octagonal cage and a temporary arena. The event is billed as a celebration of the Country’s 250^th Anniversary; it is not the bipartisan America250 event approved by Congress.

It will be a tawdry birthday party for Trump, rather than an event honoring the nation’s founding ideals. It will be an extravagant birthday celebration for a convicted felon and aspiring strongman. The South Lawn of the White House will be transformed into a fight scene while the site of the once stately East Wing lies in rubble, awaiting Trump’s unauthorized $400 million publicly financed Ball Room.

The SWWAP parade entry, by contrast, will celebrate community, democracy, and civic engagement. Joined by SWWAP members, the Forward Marching Band will present a very different vision of America - one built on participation, inclusion, and respect for democratic values. It is an America where ordinary people come together to strengthen their communities, defend their freedoms, and work toward a better future for all.

If you wish to join the parade, contact swwap@mhtc.net. SWWAP will have uplifting signage for the attendees to carry which highlights the nurturing of democracy and importance of community. We’ll leave the birthday boy to revel in staged violence, while we’re parading our shared values at the annual Summer Frolic.

Let us know if you want to be part of this fun event by emailing SWWAP HERE.

AFTER THE PARADE ALL ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THE FOLLOWING SPIRITED EVENT ORGANIZED BY INDIVISIBLE SOUTHWEST WISCONSIN AT THE MINERAL POINT OPERA HOUSE. RISE AND SING OUT TOGETHER!

Don't Miss The Town Hall at Brix Cider 
 On June 16, 5:30

MT HOREB, if trade and tariffs are impacting your job, industry, or community, this is a space to speak up and be heard — and to help shape what comes next. Join us with Rep. Mark Pocan, Amb. Katherine Tai, Kriss Marion of the Wisconsin Farmers Union and Shawn Phetteplace of Mainstreet Alliance. 

BUILDING UNITY IN MT. HOREB

WHERE: Liberty Park

(1201 Cox Drive, Mt. Horeb, WI)

WHEN: June 21, 2026 @ 12:30 - 1-30 pm

On Juneteenth, Building Unity and partners will launch a 20-week tour around Wisconsin promoting a unified approach to educating and activating voters and strengthening and expanding our state’s movement building infrastructure. 

We are honored that SWWAP and Mount Horeb will serve as the Firstwhistle stop on this inspiring journey.

The Mount Horeb Unity Rally will feature local music, community speakers, and a special Buiding Unity bus-decorating project that allows participants to add their own messages of hope, unity, and civic engagement. The event is designed to bring neighbors together, celebrate our shared values, and demonstrate the strength that comes from working across differences.

Following the rally, attendees will gather to cheer on the Building Unity Tour as it continues its journey across Wisconsin. Those who wish to stay involved are invited to join a caravan to the tour's next stop in Dodgeville, helping carry the spirit of unity and democratic participation from one community to the next.

Did you miss the recent Mt. Horeb Library program Deciding What's True in a Polarized Society? Here is your chance to view the informative presentation.

In a time when news is everywhere, all the time, it's important to think about the news we see, and how we interpret it. This talk with UW-Professor Michael Wagner reviews research on fake news, fact-checking, selective exposure to like-minded media outlets and describes the implications for democracy.

⬇️ Click photo below to go to video ⬇️

Sadly, Senator Susan Collins of Maine has never had a “Declaration of Conscience” moment. 

SWWAP newsletters will feature a new series of videos highlighting America's first 250 years. The project is spearheaded by Heather Cox Richardson. The first video below features a short introduction to the series, the following video features the Constitutional Convention, narrated by Heather Cox Richardson

SWWAP DOES NOT ASK FOR SUBSCRIPTIONS OR MEMBERSHIP FEES, THERE IS NO PAY WALL. IF YOU ARE ABLE AND WISH TO SUPPORT THE SWWAP ORGANIZATION, YOU MAY DO SO BY DONATING BELOW. THANK YOU.

Contributions to SWWAP are appreciated but not tax deductible.

Thanks to all who have donated in the past, 
and those who support us now 💜