5 things to know the week of June 8 in Milwaukee: The COVID-19 edition | Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service
Ana Martinez-Ortiz
June 8, 2020
The Fire and Police Commission seeks the public’s input on Chief Alfonso Morales, shown addressing residents during a listening session with the community earlier this year, as it prepares to conduct a performance review later this month. (File photo by Sam Woods)
It’s Monday in Milwaukee, and here are some things we think you should know about as the nation grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic and protests in the aftermath of the death of George Floyd. If you would like your event to be considered for this column, please email info@milwaukeenns.org and put “5 things” in the subject line by noon Thursday.
1. Rocketship Transformation Prep is kneeling for George Floyd: Monday, June 8
Rocketship Transformation Prep, 5501 N. 68th St., is hosting a Black Lives Matter event at 5 p.m. on Monday, June 8. During the event, attendees will be asked to kneel in silence for nine minutes from 5:15 p.m. to 5:24 p.m. This act will be done as a show of solidarity for the school’s black students, families, colleagues and community and as a way to honor the life of George Floyd. Social distancing measures will be in place and participants are asked to wear a mask.
2. Walnut Way presents “Money Moves” webinar: Monday, June 8
Walnut Way is hosting a webinar titled “Money Moves: Budgeting Skills for Financial Stability” from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Monday, June 8. The webinar will cover how to create and use a budget, how to set meaningful financial goals, how to control your spending and more. To register, click here.
3. Milwaukee Health Department launches “Ask MHD”
Milwaukee Health Department has launched a new initiative, “Ask MHD,” which allows residents to ask questions to health leaders by emailing askmhdcovid19@milwaukee.gov.
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4. Fire and Police Commission to review MPD Chief Alfonso Morales
The Fire and Police Commission will conduct a performance review for Alfonso Morales, the chief of the Milwaukee Police Department, later this month. Milwaukee residents are encouraged to reach out to the Fire and Police Commission with any issues, questions or concerns regarding Morales, the conduct of officers, the overall policing strategy and what could be improved. Click here to find contact information for the Fire and Police Commission Board.
5. “March on Milwaukee: 200 nights of freedom” talk: Thursday, June 11
The Milwaukee County Historical Society is livestreaming a talk titled “March on Milwaukee: 200 nights of freedom” from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 11. Robert Smith of Marquette University and Adam Carr of the Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service will lead the  conversation. The talk will take a look at the framework surrounding the civil rights movement and the hosts will discuss the open housing marches and the work of Milwaukee’s NAACP Youth Council. Check out our special report, which looks at the people behind the marches and its legacy.
Bonus: Let’s face it. We all need a reason to smile these days. In case you missed it (and even if you didn’t), take a look at Milwaukee’s resilient Class of 2020 and be inspired.