Midcoast MKE (formally known as Midcoast Collective) is a Milwaukee-based record label that uses proceeds to donate to left-of-center activist and welfare groups. It states that it prioritizes donating to “anti-capitalist” groups as well as ethnic minority and LGBT-interest groups. ¹

Midcoast MKE’s website has a collection of Marxist and far-left literary works that it calls its “Public Library.” It states the texts are the basis of its advocacy and promotes them for people to understand how to participate in a Marxist revolution. ²

Background

Midcoast MKE is a left-of-center activist organization that operates as a record label for Milwaukee area musicians. It claims to combat predatory record deals in the music industry while stating it intends to be a “community owned” and “artist driven collective.” Midcoast MKE also states that it donates some of its revenue to local activist and welfare organizations. ³

Midcoast MKE requires its members and affiliates to share values with the organization. These values include being “anti-capitalist, anti-imperialist, anti-militarist, anti-racist, and anti-fascist.” Additionally, members should be equity advocates for ethnic minorities, the LGBTQ community, and other so-called “marginalized” individuals. Its bylaws also state that revenue generated from its member musicians are to be used to fundraise for local activist organizations that share values with Midcoast MKE and provide welfare services. ⁴

Public Library

Midcoast MKE has what is calls a “Public Library” on its website that is a Google Shared Drive that includes literary works promoting Marxism and denouncing capitalism under the belief it will liberate Black Americans from white supremacy. Texts within the library include writings from Black Panther leader Huey Newton, longtime Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi, Karl Marx’s co-author Frederick Engels, former North Korean dictator Kim Il Sung, and Soviet state founder Vladmir Lenin. ⁵

Partner Organizations

In 2021, Midcoast MKE reported raising over $5,000 for local activist organizations through its shows. ⁶ Its partner organizations are based in the Milwaukee area and are left-leaning activist organizations. On Midcoast MKE’s partner organization application, it states that it prioritizes giving to organizations that provide welfare and “aid projects that are BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ led/focused, abolitionist, and anti-capitalist.” ⁷

Midcoast MKE’s partner organizations include Milwaukee Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression, Reproductive Justice Action Milwaukee, Milwaukee Autonomous Tenants Union, Butterfly Collective, S.O.C.I.A.L., the Women’s Center, 21st Street Coop, Bullhorn Films, Revolution Ready, ABOLISHmke, and Breaking & Entering. ⁸

In May 2022, Midcoast MKE partnered with Milwaukee Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression to protest the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling to overturn Roe v. Wade and make abortion a state-level policy decision. ⁹

1. “Organization Interest Form.” Milwaukee: Midcoast Collective, n.d. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdhNQn5udF2cZPaA86cfxXCuP5CXgWFrArTZ4g9KXXzU-QnHw/viewform
2. “Resources.” MIDCOAST Collective. Accessed October 9, 2022. https://www.midcoastcollective.org/resources. https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/16oujYYzNdON4WLUIGtoc6ms1Tsz3Vb48?usp=sharing
3. “About.” MIDCOAST Collective. Accessed October 9, 2022. https://www.midcoastcollective.org/about.
4. “MIDCOAST FOUNDING PAPERS.” Milwaukee: Midcoast Collective, 2002. https://docs.google.com/document/d/100P6J0DnkrHwUqEnk70tT2s_Kvng5J4DaQcu3gjn1T8/edit?usp=sharing
5. “Resources.” MIDCOAST Collective. Accessed October 9, 2022. https://www.midcoastcollective.org/resources. https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/16oujYYzNdON4WLUIGtoc6ms1Tsz3Vb48?usp=sharing
6. “About.” MIDCOAST Collective. Accessed October 9, 2022. https://www.midcoastcollective.org/about.
7. “Organization Interest Form.” Milwaukee: Midcoast Collective, n.d. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdhNQn5udF2cZPaA86cfxXCuP5CXgWFrArTZ4g9KXXzU-QnHw/viewform
8. “Resources.” MIDCOAST Collective. Accessed October 9, 2022. https://www.midcoastcollective.org/resources.
9. “International Women’s Day Coalition: Responds to Planned Parenthood’s Call to Action.” WisPolitics, July 19, 2022. https://www.wispolitics.com/2022/international-womens-day-coalition-responds-to-planned-parenthoods-call-to-action