May 31, 2022 | News, Press Releases
Madison, WI – Wisconsin Family Action, Inc is offering a reward up to $1,500 payable to the person or persons who furnishes information leading to the arrest and conviction of individual(s) responsible for the arson which occurred on May 8, 2022, in the early morning hours at the Wisconsin Family Action office in Madison. See poster for more information.
On Tuesday morning, May 11, a group called Jane’s Revenge took credit for the fire bombing and warned that more attacks to pro-life organizations throughout the country will occur unless their demand of “disbanding all anti-choice establishments, fake clinics and violent anti-choice groups within the next 30 days.”
The FBI is working with local Madison law enforcement to investigate this matter, and after 3 weeks and despite the admission of Jane’s Revenge, there been no arrests made or any indication of progress identifying a person(s) of interest.
Senator Ron Johnson sent a letter to US Attorney General Merrick Garland, FBI Director Christopher Wray and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas railing against the agencies lack of action on what Senator Johnson called “domestic terrorism” and has requested answers to his questions about these agencies plans to stop Jane’s Revenge from delivering on their threats.
Additionally, Wisconsin Congressmen Fitzgerald, Tiffany, Grothman, Steil and Gallagher have co-authored a letter to US Attorney General Garland asking for the US Department of Justice to provide assistance with the investigation of this attack.
“It’s perplexing that Jane’s Revenge has not only taken credit for the fire bombing of our headquarters, but they have also threatened our personal safety and promised to continue this extreme violence to other pro-life organizations across the nation, and three weeks later not even a single person of interest has been named,” said Julaine Appling, President of Wisconsin Family Action.
Appling added, “Both Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes and Governor Tony Evers fell extremely short of showing any interest in bringing those responsible to justice and instead exhibited empathy with pro-abortion activists and their emotional reaction to overturning Roe. Therefore, we believe it necessary to offer this reward to help move this investigation along.”
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Wisconsin Family Action is a statewide organization engaged in strengthening, preserving, and promoting marriage, family, life, and religious freedom in Wisconsin.
Copy available online here.
May 12, 2022 | News, Press Releases
Wisconsin Family Action issues statement on anarchist group claiming responsibility for attack
MADISON, WI –This past Tuesday, an anarchist group by the name of Jane’s Revenge, claimed responsibility for the Molotov cocktail/arson attack on the Wisconsin Family Action office on Mothers’ Day, Sunday, May 8, 2022. WFA president Julaine Appling has issued the following statement:
“Now that the Madison Police Department has been made aware of who is claiming responsibility for the attack, I expect that they, along with Governor Evers and Attorney General Josh Kaul, will move to prosecute the perpetrators to the very fullest extent of the law. Tolerance cannot be a one-way street, and if we are to preserve a free society, we must always hold accountable those who promise violence against others and their deeply held beliefs. I echo the concerns of many other Wisconsinites who believe as we do, that we should all be able to live out our beliefs without intimidation and violence.
“Let me very clear: WFA will not stop lawfully fighting for the unborn no matter what threats may come.
“We are also releasing a sample of voicemails received at our office voicemail or received on the personal phones of our staff. These voicemails are just a taste of the deluge of threatening and hateful messages we have received at Wisconsin Family Action since the Mothers’ Day arson and vandalism at our office.
“The pro-abortion group claiming responsibility for the firebombing and threatening of our office has publicly called for more violence against pro-life organizations. At Wisconsin Family Action, we believe lawless violence is never the appropriate way to respond to others with whom you don’t agree.
“We are 100% committed to advancing our shared values, to pushing back in a real way, as the law allows, against this violence and to doing so for all Wisconsin citizens and families. What we’ve experienced has not deterred us; it’s emboldened us. The attempts to bully and intimidate us serve as a renewal of our efforts to be bold as we continue to strengthen, preserve, and promote marriage, family, LIFE, and religious freedom.”
Listen to the voicemails HERE.
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Wisconsin Family Action is a statewide organization engaged in strengthening, preserving, and promoting marriage, family, life, and religious freedom in Wisconsin.
Copy available online here.
May 8, 2022 | News, Press Releases
MADISON, WI – May 8, 2022 – Early this morning a leftist anarchist group attacked Wisconsin Family Action’s office in Madison, throwing two Molotov cocktails into the office, after breaking windows, and then proceeded to light a fire. The arsonists posted graffiti on the outside of the building near the group’s offices. The message was, “If abortions aren’t safe, then you aren’t either.” Anarchy 1312 took responsibility for the attack, leaving its logo on an outside wall.
Julaine Appling, president of Wisconsin Family Action, issued the following statement:
“While this attack was directly provoked by the leaked draft opinion from the US Supreme Court in the Dobbs case earlier this week, this has far broader implications. Apparently, the tolerance that the left demands is truly a one-way street. Violence has become their answer to everything. This is what happens when leadership is missing or when leadership implies that violence is ok. In 2020, Governor Tony Evers basically looked the other way when violence erupted in Kenosha and Madison. That kind of non-response fosters what happened to us this morning, leaving Wisconsin citizens who disagree with his policies extremely vulnerable to similar violence.
“ In fact, Governor Evers’s response to today’s incident said nothing about demanding a full investigation and criminal prosecution. He just told his supporters he’d keep supporting abortion.
“But this attack fails to frighten us, and instead steels the resolve of law-abiding, common-sense, every-day folks to stand up and push back. We know today it is Wisconsin Family Action getting Molotov cocktails tossed through broken windows and fires ignited, but tomorrow it could be anyone in our state or another state who is attacked because we disagree with a policy or action, give voice to the voiceless, or stand up for what’s right.
“Americans see through the hypocrisy of the left. The violence needs to stop and stop now. It’s not the answer to any question or any problem. Just because the liberals don’t get their way, doesn’t give them license to threaten bodily harm or to burn and destroy.”
“Wisconsin has had enough of this kind of terror condoned by current state and national leaders. But we are still standing. We still support freedom. We love our republic and care for our neighbors. We will repair our offices, remain on the job, and build an even stronger grassroots effort. We will not back down. We will not stop doing what we are doing. Too much is at stake.”
Online copy available HERE.
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May 3, 2022 | News, Press Releases
WISCONSIN FAMILY ACTION URGES CAUTIOUS OPTIMISM
Leaked draft of US Supreme Court opinion in abortion case calls for “wait-and-see” approach
MADISON, WI – Last night, Politico broke a news story that the U.S. Supreme Court had voted to overturn Roe v. Wade. The story linked to a draft opinion ostensibly written by Justice Alito and leaked by an unnamed source. The headline reads, “Supreme Court has voted to overturn abortion rights,” but this draft is not the final opinion nor a final vote by the justices.
Following is a statement from Wisconsin Family Action president, Julaine Appling:
“It is totally unprecedented for a draft opinion to be leaked. This in itself is shocking. Frankly, every effort should be made to find who did this and he/she should be immediately fired. However, if this was done, as many suspect, by a pro-abortion employee of the Court, it certainly shows the desperation of those wanting to keep Roe intact.
“Here’s how the US Supreme Court typically operates. The Court held oral arguments on Dobbs on Tuesday, December 1. We are quite certain that on Friday of that week, the justices met to take a preliminary vote on the case. This timing is in synch with the Court’s normal practices. Depending on that vote, the longest-serving justice in the majority would have assigned a justice to write the draft opinion. That justice was likely Justice Clarence Thomas, as it appears Chief Justice Roberts might be in the minority.
“If the Politico story is accurate, Justice Alito was assigned to draft the opinion. The Alito-leaked draft is dated February 10, 2022. Since that date, the other justices would have made comments with possible suggestions to refine the draft opinion. In addition, justices can change their vote on a case pretty much at any time before an opinion is released to the public.
“Because it is a leaked, first-draft opinion, we caution against premature celebration of what would, no doubt, be a huge victory for the pro-life cause. If the opinion holds as it is currently written, we will have reason and time to celebrate. But prudence demands that for now we take a “wait-and-see” approach to this unprecedented development. We can certainly be cautiously optimistic as we consider what could unfold in the days ahead. As a reminder, should the court actually overturn Roe, abortion is not automatically illegal across the country. The issue returns to the states. In Wisconsin we have a pre-Roe criminal statute in place that should be enforceable. Tragically, but not surprisingly, Attorney General Josh Kaul (D) has already said he will not enforce that law if Roe is overturned.
“I think Mississippi’s Attorney General’s approach is warranted at this time. In a released statement regarding last night’s developments, AG Lynn Fitch said, ‘We will let the Supreme Court speak for itself and wait for the Court’s official opinion.’ We want to see the actual opinion released by the Court before we rejoice. That could come at any time between now and the end of June. In the meantime, we will carefully read the 96- page draft opinion—and pray.
“If the Court does overturn Roe, Wisconsin’s pro-life movement must be ready to serve women facing unplanned pregnancies and their babies. We must be ready for this election season to stand together for babies and their mothers. We must be ready for any other court challenges or other moves from the pro-abortion industry and their allies. We must truly be prepared for life after Roe.
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Wisconsin Family Action is a statewide organization engaged in strengthening, preserving, and promoting marriage, family, life, and religious freedom in Wisconsin.
Mar 16, 2022 | Election Central, Press Releases
Madison – Wisconsin Family Action Political Action Committee (WFA PAC) announced today that it has endorsed the following candidates in the respective races for the spring nonpartisan general election on Tuesday, April 5, 2022
Brown County Board of Supervisors
Mike LaBouvé – District 19
Denmark School District
Craig Janssen
De Pere City Council
Kelly Ruh – District 2
Green Bay City Council
Melinda Eck – District 11
Jennifer Grant – District 1
Hobart, Village Board of Trustees
Vanya Koepke
West De Pere School Board
Jason Dorn
WFA PAC endorses local candidates who have either proven track records of strengthening, preserving, and promoting marriage, family, life, and religious freedom or who give strong evidence of doing that if they are elected. These candidates have been fully vetted, and we are confident they will stand strong on conservative principles as they govern in their respective positions. WFA PAC encourages voters in their districts to support them in the weeks leading up to the April 5 election and to certainly vote for them.
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Authorized and paid for by Wisconsin Family Action PAC, Leslie Harrison, Treasurer. Not authorized by any candidate or by any candidate’s agent or committee.
Copy available online here.
Mar 16, 2022 | Election Central, Press Releases
Madison – Wisconsin Family Action Political Action Committee (WFA PAC) announced today that it has endorsed Kevin Nicholson for governor.
Julaine Appling, WFA PAC Director, issued the following statement:
“Wisconsin Family Action PAC endorses candidates based on three criteria: their positions on our core issues and our assessment of the strength of their commitment to those positions, their character and personal integrity as leaders demonstrated by their past and current track records, and their ability to conduct a viable campaign for the office for which they are running. We see our endorsement as a kind of ‘seal of approval’ that says to voters ‘this candidate has been carefully and fully vetted.’
“Sometimes that means we put our seal of approval on more than one candidate for a single office, leaving it to the voters to make nuanced choices between two (and occasionally more) fully vetted candidates. This is one of those times.
“Kevin Nicholson, while he admittedly has no legislative or governing track record, has verbalized commitment to the positions WFA PAC holds on issues such as marriage and family, the sanctity of human life, and religious freedom in our state. But over the past four years, he’s done more than talk about his beliefs and commitment; he’s been actively involved in an organization that has promoted his core values and beliefs—the sanctity of human life, parents’ rights, education freedom, limited government, capitalism and the free market, reduced tax burden, religious freedom and more. We expect that Kevin will govern and lead consistent with what he says and what he has been doing.
“The endgame comes in November when the primary winner takes on Tony Evers head-to-head. The candidates we have endorsed for governor, Rebecca Kleefisch and Kevin Nicholson, are equipped to do that. We need the best we have to ensure Tony Evers and his liberal, destructive ideas are finished in The Badger State. Fortunately, we have that in the gubernatorial candidates WFA PAC has put its seal of approval on.”
Additional endorsements for other offices for this fall’s elections will be issued over the next several months.
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Authorized and paid for by Wisconsin Family Action PAC, Leslie Harrison, Treasurer. Not authorized by any candidate or by any candidate’s agent or committee.
Copy available online here.
Feb 28, 2022 | Press Releases
WISCONSIN FAMILY ACTION JOINS WITH OTHER PROLIFE GROUPS
DEMANDING GOVERNOR EXPLAIN GRANTS TO PLANNED PARENTHOOD
MADISON, WI – Today, Wisconsin Family Action (WFA), represented by Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty (WILL), joined Pro-Life Wisconsin and Wisconsin Right to Life in issuing a letter to Governor Evers demanding that he explain the legal basis for the two grants he has given to Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin.
The funds for the grants, totaling $2.4 million for Planned Parenthood alone, have come from a couple of COVID-19 federal relief programs. The state legislature has passed several bills that would have directed at least some of the funds, but the governor has vetoed all of them.
Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin received $1.4 million from the “COVID-19 Pandemic Response Nonprofit Grant Program” and then received an additional $1 million last month from the “Equitable Recovery Grant Program.” Both programs were concocted by the governor, without legislative approval or permission.
WILL attorneys assert that Governor Evers has no authority to create grant programs, has disregarded appropriate department rulemaking to govern the distribution of the funds, and has violated state law that prohibits federal funds being given as a grant to pregnancy programs that promote, refer for, or perform abortions.
WFA president Julaine Appling commented, “The people of Wisconsin deserve a full explanation of the legal authority Governor Evers is using to justify his largesse to Wisconsin’s largest abortion provider. This is the peoples’ tax dollars. Some might consider what the governor has done as a kind of ‘quid pro quo’ since Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin spent $700,000 to help get the governor elected in 2018. This isn’t the first time the governor has acted with questionable authority. Two years ago, he unilaterally extended an emergency declaration that exceeded the 60-day statutory limit. The Wisconsin Supreme Court ultimately stopped that power grab. In this instance, the Governor is giving our hard-earned tax dollars to an organization whose number one funding source is the killing of unborn babies. Through our elected officials in recent years, ‘we the people’ have made it clear we don’t want public funds to support abortion in any way; and state laws have been put in place to stop that in many instances. Unless Governor Evers has a solid legal basis for these grant programs and the distribution of these millions to Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin, he is apparently just fine with taking the law into his own hands. The voters may have something to say about that this fall.”
The letter sent to Governor Evers is available HERE.
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Wisconsin Family Action is a statewide organization engaged in strengthening, preserving, and promoting marriage, family, life, and religious freedom in Wisconsin.
Copy available online here.
Feb 3, 2022 | News, Press Releases
Madison – Wisconsin Family Action Political Action Committee (WFA PAC) announced today that it has endorsed David Varnam for Lieutenant Governor.
Julaine Appling, WFA PAC Director, issued the following statement:
“David Varnam is our kind of candidate. He has a strong Christian faith, a rich policy background, in particular on the foundational issues of marriage and family, life, and religious freedom, and is an elected local official. That’s a great combination for someone looking to be our next lieutenant governor.
“As Mayor of Lancaster, WI, David has some executive experience that would serve him well as a part of a conservative executive branch. He’s been governing close to the people, listening to and responding to their concerns and working for their well-being. That’s what we expect of a lieutenant governor.
Our vetting process is quite thorough, and David passed every test we gave him when it came to his positions on our core issues and those we know Wisconsin citizens really care about.
“It’s refreshing to see young candidates like David—a candidate who realizes that Wisconsin’s best natural resource is our families and who is committed to championing policies that actually strengthen families and help them remain or become independent of government, which in turn strengthens our state. David sees that at the local level and can and will easily translate that into the much bigger platform the office of lieutenant governor affords.
“David’s campaign literature clearly says he’s pro-life. He’s proud of that position, not apologetic; and he’s not just saying it to get votes. It’s who he is; his policy work attests to that. While a lieutenant governor can’t make law or sign a bill into law, he or she can definitely be a help in getting pro-life legislation enacted; we would expect nothing less of David.
“WFA PAC wishes David Varnam all the best as he takes his pro-family, pro-freedom, pro-business, pro-life message across the state in anticipation of the primary election in August.”
Additional endorsements for this fall’s elections will be issued over the next several months.
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Authorized and paid for by Wisconsin Family Action PAC and Wisconsin Family Action Federal PAC, Leslie Harrison, Treasurer. Not authorized by any candidate or by any candidate’s agent or committee.
Copy available online here.
Jan 26, 2022 | News, Press Releases
Madison – Wisconsin Family Action Political Action Committee (WFA PAC) announced today that it has endorsed Rebecca Kleefisch for governor.
Julaine Appling, WFA PAC Director, commented, “WFA PAC is proud to endorse Rebecca Kleefisch for governor of Wisconsin. Rebecca has a solid conservative track record. She understands and is committed to strengthening, preserving, and promoting Wisconsin’s best natural resource—her families. Supporting economic growth through job creation and a commitment to reducing the tax burden are proof-positive that Rebecca understands that when Wisconsin’s families are strong and independent, Wisconsin is strong.
“Time and again, Rebecca has proven she is pro-life—that she is dedicated to the biological reality that life begins at conception and deserves protection from that moment. As lieutenant governor, while she was not in a lawmaking or law-enacting office, Rebecca championed pro-life legislation, using her unique position as a platform to advance protections for both the unborn and their mothers. We have no doubt that as governor, she would continue to advance the pro-life cause in our state.
“In recent months, Rebecca has been an especially strong voice for the right of parents to be involved in the education of their children. She is listening to parents and encouraging them to hold school boards accountable for their policies and instruction and to run for their local school boards. She is also advocating for the expansion of school choice, understanding that income and zip code should not determine whether or not parents have educational options.
“We cannot imagine Rebecca Kleefisch ever issuing an Executive Order or signing a bill into law or even championing a bill that would in any way restrict our religious freedom. Rather, we are confident that as governor she will bring a correct understanding of the First Amendment of the US Constitution and of Article I, Section 18 of our State Constitution—and will appropriately protect our religious freedom and right of conscience—especially in times of crisis.
“Rebecca Kleefisch doesn’t just talk; she backs up what she says with action. She’s someone who will fight for what is right and best for our citizens, always looking to build a Wisconsin where families will have every reason to stay, and families in other states will have every reason to move here. We issue this endorsement with confidence because we have seen proof of Rebecca’s conservative beliefs, of her character and her conviction under intense pressure. She’s ready to lead.”
Additional endorsements for this fall’s elections will be issued over the next several months.
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Authorized and paid for by Wisconsin Family Action PAC and Wisconsin Family Action Federal PAC, Leslie Harrison, Treasurer. Not authorized by any candidate or by any candidate’s agent or committee.
Read online here.
Jan 5, 2022 | News, Press Releases
WISCONSIN FAMILY ACTION JOINS 30 OTHER
STATE FAMILY POLICY COUNCILS
OPPOSING BIDEN’S EMPLOYER VACCINE MANDATE
MADISON, WI – Wisconsin Family Action, along with leaders and representatives from 29 other states, is part of a coalition of state family policy council organizations from across the country opposing the illegal Biden employee vaccine mandate by filing a legal amicus (friend of the court) brief with the U.S. Supreme Court in the case of N.F.I.B. v. D.O.L, U.S., No. 21A244. The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear oral arguments in court on this fast-tracked case this Friday, January 7.
Julaine Appling, president of Wisconsin Family Action, issued the following statement:
“Wisconsin Family Action is honored to join 30 other state family policy organizations and leaders in filing a brief that highlights the threat to religious freedom, a critically important and foundational freedom, that is at risk with such a dangerous and rushed rule that sidesteps Congress and cuts out the American people. Today, more than ever, it is necessary that we stand up to and fight back when our religious freedom, as well as other freedoms, are attacked”.
The brief explains that “unelected and unaccountable administrative agencies” tend to be hostile to religious freedom by treating it as “an afterthought, an inconvenience that stands in the way of their desired policy.” Religious liberty is “a vital and enduring thread in the nation’s fabric.” Further, OSHA’s rulemaking not only circumvents the normal process for lawmaking through Congress, but also through state legislatures—and the states have a much better track record for safeguarding religious liberty.
For religious employers in particular, the brief states that OSHA’s rule amounts to “indirect coercion [that] contradicts fundamental religious autonomy principles.”
The case, brought by a union of states and business industry groups, challenges the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) nationwide vaccine-or-testing rule for U.S. businesses with 100 or more employees.
In addition to Wisconsin Family Action, 30 family policy organizations (representing entities from 29 other states and a national organization) signed on to the legal brief as amici curiae, including California Family Council, Family Institute of Connecticut, Delaware Family Policy Council, Florida Family Policy Council, Frontline Policy Council (Georgia), Idaho Family Policy Center, Indiana Family Institute, The Family Leader (Iowa), Kansas Family Voice, The Family Foundation (Kentucky), Louisiana Family Forum, Christian Civic League of Maine, Massachusetts Family Institute, Michigan Family Forum, Minnesota Family Council, Montana Family Foundation, Nebraska Family Alliance, Cornerstone Policy Research of New Hampshire, Family Policy Alliance of New Jersey, Family Policy Alliance of New Mexico, New Yorkers for Constitutional Freedoms, North Carolina Family Policy Council, North Dakota Family Alliance, Center for Christian Virtue (Ohio), Pennsylvania Family Council, Palmetto Family Council (South Carolina),Texas Values, The Family Foundation (Virginia), Family Policy Institute of Washington, and Family Policy Alliance.
The legal amicus brief filed at the U. S. Supreme Court can be found here.
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Wisconsin Family Action is a statewide organization engaged in strengthening, preserving, and promoting marriage, family, life, and religious freedom in Wisconsin.
Copy available online here.
