What Is Rolling Thunder?

The Gamaliel Foundation
is a nationwide network of Faith based organizations
of which
WISDOM
and its affiliates
are a members.

The Gamaliel Foundation  kicked off its Rolling Thunder Campaign right here in Milwaukee in December of 2003.  Rolling Thunder returns to Milwaukee on September 18, 2004 from 2:00 - 4:00 PM at the U.S. Cellular Arena.

Do You want to be part of
the Rolling Thunder
call for justice?

Contact the regional WISDOM office
or your nearest local affiliate
CUSH in Kenosha
ESTHER in Fox Valley
JOB in Beloit
JOSHUA in Green Bay
MICAH in Milwaukee
RIC in Racine
SOPHIA in Waukesha
 

The name "Rolling Thunder" is borrowed from our brothers and sisters in South Africa.
In the struggle to end apartheid, the African National Congress employed a strategy of
coordinated mass demonstrations.  In major cities, one after another, huge gatherings of
people demanded justice.  The Rolling Thunder campaign created a sense of momentum
and solidarity in the struggle that eventually ended apartheid.

Following this inspiration, the Gamaliel Foundation is embarking on its Rolling Thunder campaign for 2004.  Starting in July, a series of major Public Meetings will be conducted by Gamaliel organizations across the country.  The components of a Rolling Thunder meeting are:

•    That it is as large or larger than any gathering the organization has ever held;

•    That U.S. Senators and members of the House of Representatives are invited;

•    That the Civil Rights of Immigrants is included as an issue in the meeting;

•    That a non-partisan "Get Out the Vote" strategy is connected to the meeting;

•    That major allies (e.g. religious, labor, business groups) are invited to be involved;

•    That local issues are addressed, as well as statewide and national;

•    That it include the passing of the South American symbol of struggle.

WISDOM's Rolling Thunder Sample Bulletin Announcements

                     Be part of

WISDOM’s

Rolling Thunder

Public Meeting

“Demonstrating

God’s Wisdom

to the Powers

And Principalities” 

Ephesians 3:20

Join Us at the  US Cellular Arena

400 W. Kilbourn Avenue, Milwaukee,

on September 18, 2004

2:00 – 4:00 PM

Work for Justice

Get Out the Vote

Be part of WISDOM’s

Rolling Thunder Public

Meeting

Just as at the heart of God’s relationship with Israel, So it is true that in our relationship with God it is expected that:

We treat our own poor                              with justice and mercy,

We not mistreat the alien,  remembering that We were once foreigners in this land

Join Us at the

US Cellular Arena

400 W. Kilbourn Avenue, Milwaukee

on September 18, 2004

2:00 – 4:00 PM

Work for Justice

Get Out the Vote

Be part of WISDOM’s

Rolling Thunder Public Meeting

As people of faith,

we believe that God calls us

to look out for the well-being of: 

• The Poor

• The Children

• The Sick

• The Immigrant

Join Us at the US Cellular Arena

on September 18, 2004

400 W. Kilbourn Avenue, Milwaukee

2:00 – 4:00 PM

Work for Justice

Get Out the Vote

Be part of WISDOM’s

Rolling Thunder Public Meeting

Just as at the heart of God’s relationship with Israel,

So it is true that in our relationship with God it is expected that:

We treat our own poor with justice and mercy,

We not mistreat the alien,  remembering that

We were once foreigners in this land

Join Us at the

US Cellular Arena

on September 18, 2004

400 W. Kilbourn Avenue, Milwaukee

2:00 – 4:00 PM

Work for Justice

Get Out the Vote

Be part of WISDOM’s

Rolling Thunder Public Meeting

Rolling Thunder is about

People, Power and Priorities!

A National Campaign of organizations belonging to the Gamaliel Foundation – People organized to have their voices heard about the issues they care about.

WISDOM’s Rolling Thunder meeting

Is September 18, 2:00 – 4:00 PM

at the US Cellular Arena

 400 W. Kilbourn Avenue, Milwaukee

Join us as we present our local and national issues. 

Work for Justice

Get Out the Vote

Be part of WISDOM’s

Rolling Thunder Public Meeting

WISDOM is

a growing alliance of

faith-based community organizations

in Wisconsin.

WISDOM includes congregations who are members of MICAH in Milwaukee, CUSH in Kenosha, JOB in Rock County, RIC in Racine, JOSHUA in Green Bay,

ESTHER in Fox Valley, and SOPHIA in Waukesha County.

As people of Faith – we refuse to accept

·         Decay and blight in our cities!

·         Economic development that benefits only the rich!

·         That we can not afford better schools for all children!

Join Us at the US Cellular Arena

400 W. Kilbourn Avenue, Milwaukee

on September 18, 2004

Work for Justice

Get Out the Vote

                      
   Be part                       of                             WISDOM’s

Rolling Thunder

Public Meeting

WISDOM does not look on the injustice of the world and feel bad about it.

We believe that together we need to DO something about it. 

You too can do something about it.  You can begin by signing a voters pledge card to  Value your Vote – and Vote your Values!

Join Us at the US Cellular Arena

400 W. Kilbourn Avenue, Milwaukee

on September 18, 2004

2:00 – 4:00 PM

Work for Justice

Get Out the Vote

Rolling Thunder

What will it be

The WISDOM Rolling Thunder meeting will be a gathering of thousands of people that will call for a return to humane priorities in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and the United States of America.  The people of WISDOM’s 125 congregations will be present, along with other people of faith and good will.  We will be joined by other groups, unions, churches and associations who share our values and our call for justice.

WISDOM’s Rolling Thunder meeting will be an exciting event that will include the following:

·        A 1,000 voice choir, made up of people of all faiths and races from around the state.

·        A call to action and a mobilization of thousands of volunteers to work to Get Out The Vote on November 2.

·        Presentation of several key issues, and calls for public officials (or candidates for office) to clearly declare their intentions on those issues.

·        Inspiration, and a celebration of unity and diversity.

Specific issues that will be addressed at the WISDOM Rolling Thunder meeting, and which will be presented to local, state and national leaders, include:

·        The need for Treatment Instead of Prison for non-violent offenders;

·        The need for adequate and equitable funding for Public Education;

·        The need for reforms that will protect the Civil Rights of Immigrants.

When and Where:

The WISDOM Rolling Thunder meeting will be:

Saturday, September 18, 2004

2:00 – 4:00 PM

US Cellular Arena

Milwaukee Wisconsin

For more information, please call (414) 831-2070

Note to Bulletin Editor/Core Team Member:  Add Your Congregation’s registration Information here Ie:  How your core team will handle registrations – Who will coordinate your congregation registrations. Will you provide childcare – carpooling, if bus is provided by your local organization where that will happen how to sign up for the bus.  Other info your core team deems necessary.

  (name of congregation) will be participating, as a member of the WISDOM Organization, in an exciting get out the vote effort called “Rolling Thunder”.  This effort is an attempt to get 100% of our congregation registered and committed to voting in the Nov. 2004 election.         But this is more than an election year program.  This is an opportunity for members of our congregation to get to know one another, to build a stronger sense of community with one another and to take action on issues that are of concern to our people.  To help us succeed in reaching our goal, we will be distributing voter pledge cards at services on ______________ and we ask that you fill them out completely and turn them in before leaving.

We hope that by participating in this effort we will demonstrate our commitment to both good citizenship and the strong discipleship to which God calls us.