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May Day Strong Demonstrations Draw Good Crowds in Hayward and Spooner

Updated May 5, 2025

Residents turned out in force on May 1 for area
demonstrations held in collaboration with the 50501
movement’s May Day Strong initiative, including two
in Hayward and one in Spooner. The “protect and protest”
demonstrations expressed support for democracy, rule
of law, and First Amendment rights, as well as opposition
to the cruel, chaotic, corrupt policies of the Trump/Musk
administration. Demonstrators also showed support
for workers’ rights, noting that May 1 was International
Workers Day, a traditional worldwide holiday honoring labor.

One Hayward demonstration included a march in solidarity
with Sawyer County Circuit Court Judge Monica Isham.
She spoke out strongly for her and other judges’ safety,
as  well as judiciary independence, following the April 25
arrest of Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan.

Both Hayward demonstrations were held at Democracy Corner at the intersection of U.S. 63 and State Hwy. 27. The first, from noon to 2 p.m., was organized by the Sawyer County and LCO Democratic Party and drew about 80 people. That demonstration was followed by the march for Judge Isham, which began at Democracy Corner and continued to the courthouse. There, over 20 students from LCO schools joined the group of 80. The full group of about 100 then walked back to Democracy Corner where the demonstration continued awhile longer.

The second Hayward demonstration, from 4 to 6 p.m., was organized by the Hayward Area Hands On 4 Hands Off group and drew about 40 participants according to one attendee. One participant in the Spooner demonstration said over 120 people joined that gathering.

For more information

Sawyer County judge condemned, praised for alleged response to Judge Dugan’s arrest in Milwaukee—Wisconsin Examiner

Judge Hannah Dugan's arrest raises questions about jurisdiction, preserving judicial integrity—UPI News

'Enough is enough': How one Wisconsin judge is fighting back in support of arrested colleague--Alternet

50501 movement website—50 protests. 50 states. 1 movement.

May Day Strong website

What to know about May Day—International Workers Day—AP News

May Day demonstrations span coast to coast in ‘50501’ anti-Trump protests--CNN

 

 

Unless stated otherwise, photos and video by Mary Vitcenda, Sawyer County and LCO Democrats

Paul DeMain, a Native American activist for clean water and social justice causes, held a sign in support of Judge Isham.

Tom Vitcenda of Sawyer County and LCO Democrats with sign thanking Judge Isham

Demonstrator with sign opposing Trump Administration attacks on public schools

Demonstrator lays out DOGE’s damage

Sue Hudson of Winter expresses her sentiments.

Video: Scanning the line in Hayward

Marching for Judge Monica

Demonstrator expresses support for workers on International Workers Day

Veteran and LCO tribal member Rusty Barber joined the May 1 demonstration in Hayward in support of Judge Monica Isham and democracy.

Al Flora of Sawyer County and LCO Democrats with a sign that speaks for itself

Again, no need to explain

A demonstrator holds a sign referencing attacks on vaccines by Trump Cabinet member RFK Jr and the ensuing outbreak of measles—the largest in the U.S. since the disease was declared eliminated in 2000.

No need to explain

Gathering on Democracy Corner in Hayward

A 14-year-old supporter of Judge Isham. Photo by Frank Zufall/Wisconsin Examiner

Hayward, Ashland Each Host Day of Action on April 19

April 21, 2025

For the second time in April, Sawyer County residents joined in demonstrations protesting the cruel, chaotic, corrupt policies of Donald Trump. Local organizers sponsored demonstrations on Saturday, April 19, under the umbrella of the 50501 grassroots movement. In its own words, 50501 is “a national movement made up of everyday Americans who stand for democracy
and are standing up against the authoritarian actions of the
Trump Administration.” The name 50501 means
“50 States, 50 Protests, 1 Movement.”

Hayward’s demonstration, which drew about 70 people
between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., was organized by the Hayward
Area #Hands On 4 #Hands Off group. Organizers invite you to
join the group via Facebook at
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1193282395790663/
About 500 people attended the Ashland demonstration
and community gathering according to Wisconsin State
Rep. Angela Stroud (D-Ashland), who addressed the crowd.

The Hayward event, which was held at the intersection of State
Highways 27 and 63, was featured in Duluth-Superior TV station
KBJR’s “Northern News Now” segment. The station showed
some still photos of the demonstration shared by Barb Czarnecki of Hunter Township. Those photos are displayed elsewhere on this page.

50501 has announced a “May Day 2025” National Day of Action on
May 1. The group asks you to host or join an event via
https://maydaystrong.org Organizing an event earns you a spot
on Mobilize, which—as of today—is showing regional May 1
demonstrations planned in Duluth, Saint Croix Falls, River Falls,
St. Paul, Madison, La Crosse, and Green Bay.

As on April 5, the April 19 demonstrations featured some
inspiring, creative signs. Following are photos from the day,
including photos of some signs.

Demonstrator in Hayward on April 19
Photo: Mary Vitcenda

Demonstrators in Ashland on April 19
Photo: Angela Stroud Facebook page

Above, demonstrators in Hayward
Photos: Barb Czarnecki

More photos from Hayward.

Credits: Barb Czarnecki & Mary Vitcenda

MayDay2025 logo

Sawyer County Residents Join Nationwide Hands Off Demonstrations Against Trump

April 11, 2025

Editor’s Note: Some profanity follows.  Sometimes it’s necessary.

Hands Off Social Security

Hands Off Medicaid

Hands Off Veterans Services

Hands Off Democracy

Hands Off My Parents

Hands Off My Life

Too Much Shit for one sign

Those were just a few of the placards carried by northwestern Wisconsin residents who participated in Hands Off demonstrations held April 5 across the United States. An estimated 3 million people joined in the demonstrations at 1,200 to 1,400 locations in all 50 states to voice their resistance to the cruel, chaotic, corrupt policies of President Donald Trump. In one sense, they staged a protest. But in another, they were voicing the need to protect American laws and values, such as freedom of the press and rule of law.

Locally, an estimated 250 protested in Spooner, and 800 in Ashland. Sawyer County residents were on hand in Spooner and Ashland, with Joan Cervenka of Hayward joining a demonstration in Schaumburg, Ill., where she was visiting friends. “The Schaumburg protest wasn’t even listed on the Hands Off website, but I found a location and asked two friends to join me,” Joan said. “I guess people all over the country need to spout off about their concerns for our country.”

The largest demonstration in Wisconsin was in Madison,
where an estimated 6,000 to 8,000 gathered at the State Capitol.
In neighboring Minnesota, the State Patrol said 25,000 attended
a Hands Off demonstration at the State Capitol in St. Paul.

Spooner protestors lined streets at the intersection
of State Highways 70 and 63, weathering some
bracing cold winds. There were a few middle
fingers, but an overwhelming majority
of drivers in passing vehicles honked, waved,
and gave thumbs up to the demonstrators.
“It was energizing and inspiring,” said Mary Vitcenda
of Exeland. “We have to keep it up because Trump is
destroying nearly everything good about this country.”  

The Spooner demonstration was organized by
Washburn County Democrats. Nationwide, protests
were led by a coalition of organizations, including
civil rights, women’s rights, veterans’ organizations, labor unions, and the Indivisible and 50501 advocacy groups. (50 protests, 50 states, 1 movement)   

A second round of Hands Off demonstrations is scheduled for Saturday, April 19. Details are coming soon.

 

Joan Cervenka, right, with friends at Hands Off demonstration in Schaumburg, Ill.

Sign in Schaumburg, Ill.

Another sign in Schaumburg

Hands Off Social Security! (Signs in Spooner)

Standin’ on the corner in Spooner

Hands Off demonstrators in Ashland

Video: Movin’ on down the line in Spooner

Lady in Spooner with a sign that says it all

“I’ve seen smarter cabinets at IKEA!” (Sign in Spooner)

Hello Congress. Anybody home? (Sign in Ashland)

No need to explain this one (Sign in Spooner)

Resist Trump and Musk, Support Crawford at Spooner Gatherings

March 19, 2025

Five Sawyer County residents recently joined what’s becoming a weekly gathering of resistance against Donald Trump and Elon Musk, as well as support for Susan
Crawford until the April 1 election.

Here’s how Kay Winton of Hayward described her participation in the March 13
gathering: “Today, like all of the last four Thursdays, a wonderful group of souls
met on the Spooner corner of 70 and 63. The plan is to meet every Thursday
from 3 to 5 with Crawford signs (until the election) and protest signs against
Trump and Musk. Today there were 35 souls, including Paul DeMain, Irene Asp
(Waldo would be proud of her), Eric Schubring and Ward and Kay Winton from
Sawyer County. Four weeks ago the group was very small, but it grows every week.”

Ward carried a “Musk Rat” sign and brought the Wintons’ “granddog” to the March 13 gathering, along with a “Dog Against DOGE” sign.

Kay invited others to join the gatherings, adding that “it will be just like years ago
when Peace North protested George Bush on Democracy Corner in Hayward
every Friday.” Here’s the info again:

Time: 3-5 p.m.

Date: Every Thursday

Place: Corner of State Highways 70 and 63, Spooner, Wis.

Volunteers who staffed the Dems table at the Round Dance included, from left, Leslie Ramczyk, Vera Homeskye, Tom Vitcenda, and Louise Ladenthin. Standing is visitor Paul DeMain. Other volunteers were Joan Cervenka, Gayle Johnson, and Mary Vitcenda.

Ward Winton and his “granddog” express their opinions of Elon Musk and his DOGE crew. (Poster in carrier says “Dog Against DOGE.”)

Dems Host Table at Reclaiming Our Children Round Dance

March 19, 2025

More than 600 people attended the Reclaiming Our Children Round Dance on March 7, and Sawyer County and LCO Democrats were part of it. Party members and friends staffed a table at the dance, held at the Sevenwinds Casino convention hall.

Volunteers staffing the table talked to visitors and distributed literature and other materials centered on the April 1 spring election. Volunteers highlighted three points:

·         Vote for Susan Crawford, who’s seeking a seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court,

·         Vote for Jill Underly, who’s seeking re-election as Wisconsin Superintendent of Public Instruction, and

·         Vote no on a proposed state constitutional amendment.

The party also held a raffle for $50 gift certificates to the LCO Country Store. Raffle winners were:

·         Butch Buck of Luck, Wis., whose brother Tyler accepted the prize for him,

·         Charles Belille of Hayward, and

·         Brandie Boswell of Winter.

Thanks to all who stopped by the party table!

Volunteer Joan Cervenka presents a $50 LCO Country Store gift certificate to Tyler Buck, brother of winner Butch Buck of Luck, Wis., who left earlier.

Vera Homeskye, front, and Leslie Ramczyk, behind her, joined in the Round Dance.

Crawford, Underly Headline LCO Elder Center Candidate Forum

Posted March 19, 2025

Statewide candidates Susan Crawford and Jill Underly headlined a recent forum sponsored by the LCO Elder Center in Stone Lake. Crawford is seeking a seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court, while Underly is running for re-election as state Superintendent of Public Instruction in the April 1 spring election. They both appeared by video conference at the event, held on March 7.

About 35 people attended the event, which also featured in-person remarks by local town board candidates running in the April election. Local candidates who spoke included Kyle Cummings, Barb Czarnecki, and Tim Davison; they are seeking seats on the Hunter Town Board of Supervisors. Also speaking was Don Adams, who’s seeking re-election to the Bass Lake Town Board. Incumbent Justin Hall and Jim Marucha are vying for the chairmanship of the Bass Lake Town Board.

Mary Wolf, director of LCO Aging and Disability Services, emceed the event, which was held in conjunction with the Elder Center’s daily meal for seniors. “The April election is an important one,” Wolf said. “We’re happy to help educate voters here at the Elder Center.”

More information on the spring election

Attendees listened to candidates at the LCO Elder Center Candidate Forum.

Mary Wolf, director of LCO Aging and Disability Services, emceed the event.

Community members chat after the candidate forum. From left, Paul DeMain, Vera Homeskye, and Leslie Ramczyk.

Sawyer County LCO Dems Give to Local Food Programs

Feb. 16, 2025

The Sawyer County and LCO Democratic Party has given $500 to five area sites
offering vital food-related services to seniors and others in need--$100 each.

Donations went to home-delivered meal and congregate dining services provided
by senior resource centers in Hayward, Stone Lake, and Exeland, as well as the
LCO Elder Center near Hayward. Those food-related services include Meals on
Wheels delivered from the Exeland site to the Winter area.

Party members and supporters presenting checks to these four senior centers
included Joan Cervenka (Hayward), Paul DeMain (LCO), Gayle Johnson
(Stone Lake), and Tom Vitcenda (Exeland).  

A donation also was presented by Louise Ladenthin to the food pantry at the
WALDO Community Center in Winter.

In addition, posters urging people to vote on Feb. 18 and April 1were distributed
to the senior centers and the WALDO community center.

“We made these donations because we believe in helping each other,” said
Gayle Johnson, co-chair of the Sawyer County and LCO Democratic Party.
“We chose to give to these organizations because they provide vital services to
people in need.”   

Joan Cervenka, left, presented a check to Shirley Kauffman at the Senior Resource Center in Hayward.

Gayle Johnson, right, presents a check to Gabby Regner
at the Stone Lake Senior Center.

Tom Vitcenda presented a check to the Exeland Senior Center. He’s holding the “Vote” poster that was also given to all five food programs.

Louise Ladenthin, right, presented a check to Laurie Martin at the WALDO Community Center in Winter.

Trump and GOP’s tax bill would force cuts to Medicare, CBO says

Washington Post
May 21, 2025
Highlights

Read entire article (requires subscription) OR email sc.lco.dems@gmail.com for a PDF

President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans’ mammoth tax and immigration bill would add so much to the national debt that it could force nearly $500 billion in cuts to Medicare beginning in 2026, Congress’s nonpartisan bookkeeper reported late Tuesday [May 20].

Trump and the GOP’s budget reconciliation package — officially titled the One Big Beautiful Bill Act — would add $2.3 trillion to the deficit over 10 years, the Congressional Budget Office projected, forcing budget officials to mandate across-the-board spending cuts over that window that would hit the federal health insurance program for seniors and people with disabilities.

When legislation significantly adds to the national debt, which already exceeds $36.2 trillion, it triggers “sequestration,” or compulsory budgetary reductions. In that scenario, Medicare cuts would be capped at 4 percent annually, or $490 billion over 10 years, the CBO reported in response to a request from Rep. Brendan Boyle (Pennsylvania), the top Democrat on the Budget Committee. . ,

. . . “Having Medicare cuts suddenly enter the discussion has struck a lot of people by surprise,” said Timothy D. McBride, a health economist at Washington University in St. Louis. “Taking out 4 percent of the Medicare budget might not sound like much, but everything hurts at this point.”

Those reductions are not a foregone conclusion. Congress could instruct the White House budget office to disregard the reconciliation package’s debt impact, pass new legislation to reduce the deficit or change federal budget scorekeeping rules. . .

. . .Republicans are also proposing sweeping cuts to Medicaid that could leave nearly 9 million people without health-care coverage and more than 7 million without insurance over 10 years. Those cuts are likely to put added strain on Medicare funding, Roberts said, particularly for the 13 million Americans are who are enrolled in both programs and rely on Medicaid to cover Medicare premiums and co-pays.

“No matter what, the scale and breadth of the cuts in this bill will be felt in populations that policymakers have said they want to protect,” said Eric Roberts, a health economist at the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine. “The size of the Medicaid and Medicare programs and the number of people they touch across the lifespan — children, working-age adults, pregnant individuals, older adults and people with disabilities — means that you can’t just go in and cut out a piece without cascading effects.”

Low-income families would lose, wealthier ones would gain under GOP tax proposals—including Medicaid, SNAP cuts

USA Today
May 12, 2025

WASHINGTON ‒ Low-income families stand to lose hundreds if not thousands of dollars in income while wealthy ones will gain even more, according to a new analysis of Congressional Republican tax and budget proposals.

The analysis from the Urban Institute, a Washington, D.C.-based think tank, which estimated that low-income families would “suffer significant losses in net income,” assumed that lawmakers will extend temporary provisions of the Trump’s Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. It also assumes $880 billion in Medicaid cuts and $230 billion in cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as food stamps. . .

. . . New Jersey Democrat Rep. Frank Pallone, who sits on the Energy and Commerce Committee, blasted the proposal in a statement.

"This is not trimming fat from around the edges, it’s cutting to the bone. The overwhelming majority of the savings in this bill will come from taking health care away from millions of Americans. Nowhere in the bill are they cutting ‘waste, fraud, and abuse’ ‒ they’re cutting people’s health care and using that money to give tax breaks to billionaires," Pallone said in a statement.

Read entire article here.

Call your Congressional representatives now to urge opposition.

Top targets for Sawyer County residents

Sen. Ron Johnson, Wisconsin
Washington, D.C. (202) 224-5323
Milwaukee (414) 276-7282
Madison (608) 240-9629
Oshkosh (920) 230-7250

Rep. Tom Tiffany, CD 7
Washington, D.C. (202) 225-3365
Wausau (715) 298-9344

Other top targets

Derrick Van Orden, CD 3
Washington, D.C. (202) 225-5506
Eau Claire (715) 831-9214

Rep. Bryan Steil, CD 1
Washington, D.C. (202) 225-3031
Milwaukee (414) 285-2120

DHS Highlights Impact of Federal Budget Cuts on Wisconsin Medicaid Members

Wisconsin Department of Health Services News Release
April 28, 2025

Congressional proposals likely to shift costs to Wisconsin, slash the Medicaid budget, and make services harder to access for working adults

With the U.S. House of Representatives proposing $880 billion in cuts to the federal budget, substantial impacts to Medicaid and other health programs are unavoidable. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) has started to analyze how these cuts might impact Medicaid members and providers in our state, including shifting costs to Wisconsin, slashing the Medicaid budget, making services harder to access for working adults, and increasing costs to Wisconsin taxpayers.

"Wisconsin's Medicaid program is an essential part of our state's health care and public health systems and economy," said Wisconsin Medicaid Director Bill Hanna. "Simply put, we can't have a healthy and strong Wisconsin without a healthy and strong Medicaid program. Massive cuts like those proposed by Congress would put our people, our health care system, and our economy at risk."

Medicaid in Wisconsin goes by many names, including BadgerCare Plus, Family Care, IRIS (Include, Respect, I Self-Direct), Katie Beckett, Family Care Partnership, PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly), and Children's Long-Term Support (CLTS) Waiver Program. Wisconsin's Medicaid program provides health insurance benefits and long-term care to residents across the state. Medicaid covers 20% of all Wisconsinites, including 40% of births, 38% of children, and 60% of people in nursing homes. BadgerCare Plus is the state's largest Medicaid program, with roughly 1 million members, and covers preventive care, urgent and emergency visits, vaccinations, prescriptions, and more.

DHS analyzed three policy proposals and how these cuts to Medicaid might impact the people and providers in our state.

Click here to see the rest of the news release.

Detailed Impact of Slashes in Federal Safety Net on Wisconsin 7th Congressional District Residents

Sources cited below
Posted May 24, 2025

7th CD Demographics
Census Reporter, CD 7, Wisconsin

The total population of WI CD 7 is about 747,209 people; about 149,441 or 20% are under age 18 (1 in 5); and about 171,858 or 23% are age 65 or older (about 1 in 4).
 
·      About 17,933 or 12% of the children (more than 1 in 10) live in households with incomes below the poverty line.
 
·      About 17,186 or 10% of the seniors (1 in 10) live in households with incomes below the poverty line.

Cuts to SNAP
Food Research & Action Center

Cuts to SNAP (food stamps) will affect 9.2% of the about 326,727 households (about 1 in 10), or about 30,059 households in our WI CD 7.

Cuts to Medicaid
Census Reporter, CD 7, Wisconsin
KFF-The independent source for health policy research, polling, and news
ACAP—Association for Community Affiliated Plans

Cuts to Medicaid will affect about 166,900 to 190,230 people, or about 22% (more than 1 in 5), in our WI CD 7.

In WI CD 7:
Total Medicaid Enrollees: 166,900 
Adults: 65,100 
Seniors: 27,300 
Children: 54,300 
Individuals with Disabilities: 20,000 
ACA Adults: 0

Cuts to Medicare
US HHS Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Report to Congress, January 2025, page 21

Cuts to Medicare will affect about 198,793 Medicare-Eligible people in our WI CD 7, or about 26% of the population (more than 1 in 4).

Cuts to Veterans Administration
Census Reporter, CD 7, Wisconsin

Cuts to Veterans Administration services will affect about 54,546 veterans in our WI CD 7, or about 7.3% of the population (more than 7 in 100).

Cuts to Social Security OASDI (Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) Benefits
Social Security, Office of Research, Evaluation, and Statistics, Congressional Statistics, December 2023

Cuts to Social Security (OASDI benefits) will affect about 204,885 people in our WI CD 7, and 164,978 of these people are age 65 or older.
 
As of December 2023, these 204,885 people were:
162,651 retired workers
20,279 disabled workers
9,226 widowers and parents
3,450 spouses
9,279 children

Cuts to Supplemental Security Income (SSI Benefits)
Social Security, Office of Research, Evaluation, and Statistics, Congressional Statistics, December 2023

Cuts to Supplemental Security Income (SSI benefits) will affect about another 10,126 people in our WI CD 7 who are low-income aged, blind, or disabled.