Black men from throughout Milwaukee vowed to stand with embattled Alderman Mike McGee, Jr. in his effort to retain his Common Council seat in a recall election set for February.

The men, from all backgrounds and occupations in the community, joined together at Coffee Makes You Black Coffee House Saturday to declare their support for McGee, who is being challenged by a citizens group led by ViAnna Jordan.

Jordan and the group say they are fed up with McGee and questions about his character and his ability to be a sound role model.

Jordan and Una Duvall, who reportedly works in the Department of City Development, have taken out papers to run against the alderman.

Community activist and Attorney Roy Evans said Black men in the community came to show their support for McGee because they believe he is an effective alderman.

"People at city hall really admire McGee for what he does in government and what an alderman is supposed to do as a politician," said Evans, who has worked with the alderman to rewrite many city ordinances to improve the quality of life in the community and the city.

"He works for his community and people who understand government know that," Evans said.

"As a people, we must not allow capitulators from within to let outsiders come in our community to dictate how it should be run," Evans continued. "If there is a problem, then the people of McGee’s district--as well as elders from our community--must have a forum to deal with whatever the issues are pertaining to any of our elected officials.

"As Black men we must stand up, as a community, to protect those things that are important to us, otherwise outside interests will always dictate our destiny and what we do."

Another McGee supporter, Tommy Kirk, stated: "They always want to take our heroes and make them the boogey man. Any Blackman that advocates on behalf of our people is made out to be the boogey man."

On that Saturday, McGee was again championing an important community issue. He and a number of supporters protested in front of the home of Milwaukee Police Officer Jesus Ortiz, who was allegedly involved in the beating of two of the alderman’s constituents, Alfonzo and Khadijah Young during an altercation at a George Webb Restaurant.

It was reported that the couple was mistakenly identified as participating in the incident.

Officer Ortiz reportedly arrested, handcuffed and then struck Khadijah in the eye while she was handcuffed after inquiring why they were arresting her husband.

During the protest several individuals--believed to be residents living in the neighborhood Ortiz lives--were seen going door-to-door handing out flyers, a copy of which I-Witness obtained. The flyer read: "Today’s protest is brought to you by Alderman Michael McGee! Recall McGee! Support the McGee Recall! Get him out of office! Donate to the Recall McGee Campaign at your nearest Tri-City Bank today! McGee spreads hate in your neighborhood! Help us stop him!"

Unfazed by the door-to-door effort by anti-McGee forces during his protest of Ortiz, the alderman said he and other protesters wanted to send a clear message to the Milwaukee Police Department and Ortiz "that they cannot continue to lay their hands on our folks any more.

"They have not learned a thing from the Frank Jude beating and we are here to remind them. What was done to the Youngs is not policing, and procedures and policies must be changed in the department."

As to the recall effort being marshaled against him, the alderman said," It’s the people’s seat and it’s in the hands of the Creator and the people."

Evans said the anti-McGee flyers are an example of what he noted earlier--others trying to dictate to the Black community.

"Those forces do not want nor respect our intellectual capacity and want to deny us the ability to control our own destiny.

Said Kirk: "They (the anti-McGee group) talk about character. Well, we are looking at performance and McGee meets those requirements. Human beings are not perfect and if you look at anyone close up you will find some flaws."

Evans concurred, adding: "If we want to talk about character and flaws well, why aren’t they recalling other politicians because they are out there and have plenty of flaws.

"I am appalled how Black people like ViAnna Jordon, Leon Todd and others have allowed themselves to be used in this matter by the likes of Citizens for Responsible Government, developers and contractors who do not want to hire Black people nor abided by the laws set forth in minority contracts and hiring."

Added Evans: "Just to show you that this recall is of a conspiratorial nature, the City Election Commission--who publicly stated they believed there was massive fraud in the obtaining of the recall signatures--allowed the recall to move forward and set a primary date for an election on the advice of the City Attorney Langley and Linda Burkes.

"With the Election Commission sighting fraud and other illegal means used in obtaining the recall signatures, the directives and decision given to the Election Commission by the city attorneys is like a daycare center hiring a pedophile."

Evans said the recall race is very important. "We must all sacrifice ourselves like my hero, Denmark Vasey a revolutionary in South Carolina who challenged his rights to freedom where White Southerners were dehumanizing and denying Black people the rights to be human beings. His victory was cut short-lived due to two of his own people turning him in.

"That’s what this recall appears to be (about). But as Black men, we cannot allow it to happen. We cannot be afraid. This recall election is a critical part of our political existence. Not only is our ability to control our own destiny at stake, but our existence as a vital part of the city is being challenged.

"It is a test that we must meet head-on. So, we are asking this community to support Alderman Mike McGee in retaining the seat of the sixth Aldermanic District. This is even bigger than he."