Popular Black official remains in jail

On June 22 District Attorney John T. Chisholm unveiled more state charges against Black City Alderman Michael McGee Jr., who has been locked up in the Milwaukee County jail since May 28 on various charges.

McGee has been charged in state court with seven felony counts and five misdemeanors related to elections, bribery, conspiracy and contempt. He has also been indicted in federal court on charges that allege he pressured businesses in his district for money to get licenses okayed through the City Council. McGee is facing at least 30 years on all counts if convicted.

The jailed Black alderman is due back in court July 13. On June 22 his bail on the state charges was reduced to $50,000 from $100,000, but authorities would not immediately release him because of pending federal charges. U.S. Attorney Steven M. Biskupic said the U.S. Marshals Service placed a hold on McGee that would turn him over to federal custody if he were to be released on bail in relation to the state charges. McGee would then be taken into federal court for his first appearance there, which could include a separate bail amount being set.

This situation amounts to an extraordinary full-court press by state and federal agencies in collusion with the corporate media against an elected official from the African-American community. Yet despite this attempt to demonize and silence McGee through incarceration and other means, numerous supporters are standing behind him.

On June 22, as the handcuffed alderman entered the courtroom, over 50 supporters, many wearing “Free Ald. McGee 4 Me” tee shirts, stood in salute with their fists raised.

On June 8 the Milwaukee NAACP had held a press conference with the goal of “seeking justice for Alderman Michael McGee Jr.” Jerry Hamilton, president of the local branch, said the bail in McGee’s case was unjust, as in recent years almost all other elected officials in Milwaukee and Wisconsin who were charged and indicted were released on their own recognizance or a small signature bond. Hamilton said the bail of $250,000 set when McGee was first arrested exceeded the total of all the bails of the other recently indicted politicians. McGee is the only one not to be released on his own recognizance or a signature bond.

Since McGee’s arrest, a wide range of supporters in the Black community has supported him by demonstrating at his court appearances, getting messages of support aired on local Black radio and other avenues. In contrast to the rabidly racist coverage in the predominantly white media, Black media outlets have covered extensively the support for McGee and the implications of his case for all poor and working people in Milwaukee and beyond.

Many in the Black community see the targeting of McGee as payback for his steadfast support of economic and social justice for poor and working people, particularly in regard to Black youth and fighting police brutality.

McGee supporters are now discussing various defense activities and will be packing the court again on July 13.