No WDIC

The Wisconsin Defense Industry Council (WDIC) was formed in December of 2023, mere months after the most recent acceleration of Palestinian genocide following October 7th, 2023. Its mission is to increase Wisconsin’s capacity for war manufacturing via Department of Defense contract awards. The network aims to support this goal through virtual and in-person events. 

In its own press releases, the WDIC claims that Wisconsin is a national leader in manufacturing, generating $70 billion in economic output each year despite coming in at 30th for Department of Defense contract spending nationally. 

Military contracts often prioritize speed and profit leading to more temporary, low wage, non-union positions. We have heard from workers who fear the “race to the bottom” as companies chase defense dollars, cut corners on safety, lower wages, and outsource whenever possible. If we fail to act, Wisconsin’s manufacturing identity could be overtaken by militarism and corporate greed. 

Nowhere in their mission statement or goals does the WDIC mention fair wages, safe working conditions, or supporting Wisconsin families to thrive in their communities. They do not care about the health of people or the planet. Their only goal is to profit off of US- led wars. 

Wisconsin’s Manufacturing legacy belongs to the workers and communities who built it, not to corporations seeking profit through war. Shifting factories towards weapon’s manufacturing does not strengthen our communities, it undermines them. Every dollar and hour spent producing tools of war is a dollar stolen from healthcare, housing, education, transit, and other needs that can actually improve the lives of Wisconsinites. 

Our campaign involves several key components:

• Community education: Many of the people we’ve encountered have no idea that the WDIC even exists, and this is by design. We aim to shine a light on what the WDIC is doing by canvassing in person, social media posts, and organizing events with a media presence within the Milwaukee area to reach as many people as we can.
• Communications: We reach out directly to the members of the WDIC to voice our
• demands, and currently are circulating a petition for concerned citizens to show their support.
• Direct Action: Peaceful protests and civil disobedience at WDIC award events, the Milwaukee Air and Water Show, and more. We want them to feel our presence everywhere they go!

We demand the following:

• We demand that the WDIC is dismantled!
• The efforts of the Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce (WMC) and Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce (MMAC) are refocused on the types of manufacturing with a clear track record for providing higher wages, greater volume of jobs, and better quality of life for workers. 

As an individual:

• Sign our No WDIC petition online here.
• Join us! As a member you can help with rallies, table at events, research anti-war topics, create educational materials, make art, canvass in neighborhoods, organize phone zaps and email blasts… there are many ways to plug in, even if you can only spare a couple hours per week.

As an organization:

• Endorse our campaign! If you choose to endorse this campaign, we request that you:
  • Share our posts about No WDIC on social media
  • Share campaign-related events with your members and encourage attendance
  • Allow MAC to use your org’s logo on our campaign posts

Stay tuned for more information!

If your organization is interested in endorsing our No WDIC campaign, please reach out to us via email at milwaukeeantiwarcommittee@gmail [dot] com.