Biden campaign roundtable discusses policy proposals, ‘turning point’ in America

MADISON, Wis. (CBS 58) – In a virtual roundtable discussion on the presumptive democratic nominee’s plan for helping black Americans hosted by the Joe Biden campaign, black leaders from Milwaukee expressed determination to use the national attention and momentum to move forward with change at the local, state and federal level.

Among the participants were Crowley, State Rep. David Bowen (D – Milwaukee), Angela Lang of Black Leaders Organizing Communities and Maria Hamilton, the mother of Dontre Hamilton who was killed by a Milwaukee police officer in 2014.

The participants observed a nearly nine-minute moment of silence in honor of the death of George Floyd. After the moment of silence, Rep. Bowen reflected on its impact.

“It just reminds you how long, literally, were you feel like it’s over but there’s still more left, and how much his life really needs to be honored,” Bowen said.

The discussion centered around Biden’s “Lift Every Voice Plan for Black America” which spotlights several policy proposals around the topics of policing, education, incarceration and other issues.

As the country focuses on the protests over the death of George Floyd, the leaders participating in the roundtable discussion believe it’s a rare opportunity to accomplish several policy goals.

“I think we should look at this as a turning point, and it would be a missed opportunity if we didn’t utilize this moment,” Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley said. “Not only to make change in this community, but to build upon the policies that absolutely need changing in order to provide a better pathway.”

Black voter turnout in Wisconsin dropped about 19 percent from 2012 to 2016 and with the state being a critical battleground state in the 2020 contest, black Wisconsinites are seen as a vital voting bloc if Biden hopes to have a chance at winning the state.