Libertarian Party of Wisconsin Calls ICE Detention of Milwaukee Mosque Leader a Threat to Free Speech

 

 

Libertarian Party of Wisconsin

www.lpwi.org

presslpwi@gmail.com

Contact: Reese Wood, LPWI Chair

chair@lpwi.org

June 23, 2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Libertarian Party of Wisconsin Calls ICE Detention of Milwaukee Mosque Leader a Threat to Free Speech

Madison, WI – June 19, 2026 – The Libertarian Party of Wisconsin welcomes the federal court order releasing Salah Sarsour, president of the Islamic Society of Milwaukee, from ICE detention, and condemns the abuse of federal power his case represents.

U.S. District Judge James Patrick Hanlon found that Sarsour raised a substantial claim that he was targeted for speaking in favor of Palestinian rights. That should alarm every American, regardless of religion, ethnicity, immigration status, or political viewpoint.

“Free speech is not a privilege granted by politicians or federal agencies,” said Reese Wood, Chair of the Libertarian Party of Wisconsin. “It is a natural right protected by the First Amendment. When the federal government detains a lawful permanent resident after decades in this country and then hides behind foreign policy claims, every Wisconsinite should see the danger.”

The Libertarian Party of Wisconsin believes government must never punish peaceful speech, religious association, or political dissent. Immigration enforcement, like every other government power, must be constrained by due process, transparency, and strict constitutional limits.

This case is especially troubling because Sarsour was reportedly held for 80 days, faced serious health concerns while detained, and was released only after judicial intervention. No government agency should be trusted with unchecked power over a person’s liberty, medical care, or ability to speak freely.

Wisconsin deserves leaders who defend constitutional rights consistently, not only when the person targeted shares their politics or faith. The Libertarian Party of Wisconsin calls for a full accounting of ICE’s actions in this case and urges Wisconsin’s congressional delegation to rein in federal detention powers, protect due process, and defend the free speech rights of all people within our borders.

For more info on the Libertarian Party of Wisconsin, and read its principles and platform, please visit www.lpwi.org .

LIBERTARIAN PARTY OF WISCONSIN WARNS OF EMERGING “BIG BROTHER” INFRASTRUCTURE

 

June 3, 2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

LIBERTARIAN PARTY OF WISCONSIN WARNS OF EMERGING “BIG BROTHER” INFRASTRUCTURE

The Libertarian Party of Wisconsin is warning that the rapid expansion of AI data centers and automated surveillance systems across Wisconsin represents the construction of a new “Big Brother” infrastructure before our very eyes.

Across the state, citizens are increasingly pushing back. Verona ended its Flock surveillance camera contract, while the Dane County Board voted to remove funding for Flock systems over privacy and civil liberties concerns. Meanwhile, communities such as Port Washington and DeForest have resisted major data center developments over concerns involving secrecy, subsidies, resource consumption, and lack of public oversight.

“These are not separate issues,” said Reese Wood, Chair of the Libertarian Party of Wisconsin. “People are beginning to recognize that data centers and surveillance systems are part of the same emerging infrastructure. Surveillance systems gather the data. Data centers store, process, and analyze it.”

Despite often being described as license plate readers, Flock systems create searchable databases of vehicle movements and travel patterns. Wisconsin has already seen documented abuse of this technology. In Milwaukee, a police officer was criminally charged after allegedly using the Flock system nearly 200 times to track individuals for personal reasons.

“Supporters call it innovation,” Wood added. “Many Wisconsinites see something else: the physical foundation of a future where surveillance expands, privacy disappears, and increasingly powerful institutions collect and analyze more information about ordinary people than ever before.”

The Libertarian Party of Wisconsin supports technological innovation, but not at the expense of individual liberty. We call on elected officials throughout Wisconsin to prioritize transparency, strengthen privacy protections, and ensure that citizens, not governments, corporations, or algorithms, remain in control of their communities and their lives.

For more info on the Libertarian Party of Wisconsin, its principles and platform, as they relate to Flock surveillance systems and data centers, please visit www.lpwi.org .