Milwaukee community organizers call for more federal coronavirus assistance and a continued moratorium on power disconnections

La Tesha Johnson said she is not used to public speaking and was nervous when she took the microphone on Wednesday at Victory Over Violence Park on King Drive.  

But Johnson — who, like a lot of people, has been out of work for months — wanted to tell her story.  

“I’ve always been one of those people that has kept a job, a good job,” Johnson said. “To me, being out of work is not easy ... my life has changed. The community has changed; the world has changed.” 

Before the pandemic, Johnson was going to start training with the U.S. Census Bureau, but it was delayed because of the coronavirus.  

Johnson said she was depending on that income, but her adult working children have been helping her through this time.  

“It’s not easy especially if you’re doing it alone, but thank God, I’ve got loved ones to help me,” Johnson said.

Johnson told her story at a rally organized by the nonprofit group North Side Rising, which is affiliated with Citizen Action of Wisconsin. The rally called for federal action to provide financial assistance to institutions and individuals still struggling.  

Organizers and public officials advocated for Jobs for Economic Recovery Act, co-sponsored by U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin. 

U.S. Rep. Bryan Steil — who supported the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act — said as Congress continues to evaluate additional coronavirus bills “we need to use a scalpel, not a sledgehammer, approach.” 

“The CARES Act provided $150 billion to states to help reopen schools, increase testing capabilities, and support workers,” the Janesville Republican said in a statement. “This allotment should be fully and wisely spent before allocating additional dollars. I’m open to solutions that have support from Republicans and Democrats and focus on protecting people’s health and reopening our economy. In any new bills, our top priority must be helping individuals and families struggling at this time.” 

U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore said citizens “will need more than one check to sustain themselves through this economic recession."

The Milwaukee Democrat said she supported passing the Heroes Act, which includes "a more robust second round of payments, extends unemployment benefits, provides for hazard pay for essential workers, better protects renters and homeowners from losing their housing, and authorizes additional investments for our public health response."

The act has been called a nonstarter by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, and has been stalled since May — pending in "McConnell’s graveyard even as our communities continue to suffer,” Moore said.

“I fear the impact of this crisis will be long-term, and additional direct support will be critical to lessening the harshest economic blows on working people.” 

Moratorium on disconnection

As community organizations try to bring about change, North Side Rising and public officials are also pleading with We Energies not to turn people’s power off. 

Currently, there is a moratorium on disconnecting power due to nonpayment, but that is set to expire later this month. 

Milwaukee County Supervisor Supreme Moore Omokunde said We Energies should be part of the discussion about how to help people struggling during the pandemic.  

“We don’t need another obstacle like not having our energy on,” Omokunde said. “I’m asking We Energies to partner with us, to partner with those in our communities to ensure that we can continue a moratorium on disconnections.” 

A group of about 30 people marched to We Energies offices in downtown Milwaukee to ask for an extension to the moratorium. 

In a statement, Brendan Conway, media relations manager for We Energies said:

"Disconnection always has been and always will be a last resort. We will work closely with any customer who is behind on their bill. Every customer is unique, so they should contact us to find out what approach is best for them. Customers should call us at 800-842-4565 as soon as possible to discuss options, including payment plans and the potential for financial assistance."