justice at
zao MKE
As a Jesus Rooted, Justice Centered, Radically inclusive community, Zao MKE Church has a responsibility to publicly participate in street level organizing towards liberation - spiritually, personally, and materially. This includes the Movement for Black Lives, marches and events related to Pridefest and LGBTQ liberation, the protection of rights for immigrants and refugees, and more.
Zao community members and pastors are often in the streets living out their faith and call to liberation with public demonstrations demanding justice for all. We offer learning and teaching opportunities for those who wish to deepen their understanding of topics like Black Lives Matter, LGBTQ liberation, and police and prison abolition from the viewpoint of faith.
Zao members and leaders also use their many platforms (on social media and elsewhere) to amplify the work and voices of liberation. Behind the scenes, the Zao community contributes to the flourishing of movements for justice by providing spiritual counseling, prayer, organizing leadership, and both monetary and material aid through The Depot.
The Depot
During the summer uprisings of 2020, it became clear that the street movements in Milwaukee would benefit from a centralized system to get basic supplies out to folks in the streets, from water and Gatorade to first aid supplies and eye wash. In partnership with local community leadership including Supplies & Demand, Zao MKE Church launched The Depot, the largest supply drop and distribution center for protest support in the state of Wisconsin.
Even after the holy season of 2020 resistance gave way to less visible work of liberation, The Depot has continued to supply any local street action that works for liberation. The supplies have expanded to include items like generators, tents, tables, etc so that we can supply not only the unexpected protests in response to injustice, but also support community building events planned well in advance.