Details for Wednesday

What:  Silent Rally to Support Free Speech 

When:  Wednesday, July 12, 2023 at 11:00 AM (Public School Board hearing for Melissa Tempel follows at Noon) 

Where: Blair Administration Building, 301 Hyde Park Avenue, Waukesha   

Park in the lot on Chicago Street and then gather on the public sidewalk near the front door.   

WHY? 

Melissa is a public employee who is entitled to First Amendment Protections. Contrary to a lot of the chatter out there, she is being disciplined because she exercised her right to speak on a Waukesha School District’s decision as many public employees do at public meetings.   

What to Expect: 

• We will hold a silent rally – to draw attention to the SDW administration’s attempt to silence the voices of teachers and community members based solely on their viewpoint. 

• Wear black clothing, a black armband and, if you so choose, a black N95, surgical or cloth mask (NOT ski mask) – as a symbolic recollection of the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Tinker v. Des Moines Iowa when the court upheld the right of students to wear black arm bands in protest in the school and noted that: 

“It can hardly be argued that either students or teachers shed their constitutional rights to freedom of speech or expression at the schoolhouse gate.” 

• Here is a link to the District’s public meeting notice and guidelines for behavior expectations at the hearing. 

• To ensure safe event, we have contacted the Waukesha Police Department, the local FBI office, and requested human rights observers.  

• If there are counter protesters, it is imperative that we de-escalate, walk away and DO NOT ENGAGE with any counter protestors. Leave it to the police department and on-site observers to report or address any confrontation. 

• There is a playground at Blair Administrative Building.