August 31, 1967

"On August 31, the crowds outside of St. Boniface church, 2609 North 11th Street, struggled to make their way inside the church that was filled to overflowing. Dramatic newspaper photos of the Freedom House on fire and stories about the arrests of the night before brought an outpouring of support. People of all ages from throughout the neighborhood and the entire city gathered ready for the next step.

"They followed Father Groppi, the Commandoes, and other Youth Council members from the church, south on 11th Street toward North Avenue, heading downtown to city hall where they wanted to see the mayor. At about 9th and North Avenue, the police moved in and first arrested Father Groppi and Alderman Phillips and then filled the waiting patrol wagons with others marchers.

"The next day the Milwaukee Journal reported that 117 adults and 17 juveniles had been arrested during the demonstration. Most were charged with violating the mayor's proclamation and had paid $25 bail. Alderman Vel Phillips was released without bail. In addition to the charge of violating the mayor's proclamation. Father Groppi was charged with resisting arrest and battery and obstructing an officer. In the trial of this case, the question of whether a defendant was entitled to a change of venue in a misdemeanor trial became central. Father Groppi was denied a change of venue by the lower courts. Eventually he won the point in the U.S. Supreme Court. But this time, County Judge Christ Seraphim set Father Groppi's bail at $1000, calling Groppi a 'repeater,' and asserting his belief that "the public has a right to be protected from a repeater. You have to deal with crime as you would with a disease. You have to isolate it." National news media rushed to cover the Milwaukee demonstrations following these mass arrests. Thus the Milwaukee Open Housing Movement entered a third phase, that of a national movement."

From Margaret Rozga's "March on Milwaukee," Wisconsin Magazine of History, Volume 90, Number 4, Summer 2007, http://content.wisconsinhistory.org/cdm/compoundobject/collection/wmh/id/49374/show/49343/rec/6, p. 36

“Disturbed.” Milwaukee Star. September 9, 1967. Milwaukee Public Library Microfilm Collection, Microfilmed by the Wisconsin Historical Society.

Dallas September 1, 1967. Milwaukee Public Library Microfilm Collection, Microfilmed by the Wisconsin Historical Society.