In these divided times, one local organization has discovered that there's at least one thing that can unite the community: tacos. In March, a group of Silver City residents hosted a rally in support of a local taco truck that they said was being unfairly targeted by a Milwaukee alder. That event drew hundreds of people, including Mayor Tom Barrett, and proved so popular that the group, now known as MKE Taco Truck Advocates, is now planning a series of additional gatherings around the city this summer in celebration of the Latinx community.
"As we move forward, we will continue to advocate for the fair treatment of taco truck owners -- and all other Latinx business owners," the group's lead organizer Julio Guerrero wrote in a statement. "However, we also want to advance the culture and food of the Latinx community through taco truck related events around Milwaukee and share that with our neighbors and families in and around our great city."
The organization will host a monthly Taco Truck Parking Lot Summer Series June 7, July 12, Aug. 2 and Sept. 6 in front of Velobahn Coffee and Cycle, 3618 W. Pierce St. Those events will feature food (including vegan options from Orenda Cafe), drinks, music, local vendors and family activities.
MKE Taco Truck Advocates will also host three installments of its Tacos For The People Series this summer: June 23 at The Sugar Maple in Bay View (from 1-5 p.m.); July 26 at the Cream City Hostel in Riverwest at 6 p.m.; and Aug. 17 at The Sherman Perk (from 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.)
"We are featuring Latinx Milwaukee DJ's, Latinx arts and crafts vendors and creating of culture of supporting our community's small business owners and entrepreneurs," the organization writes. "We are also holding these taco truck parties around Milwaukee in order to build bridges with other neighborhoods around the city to promote unity and inclusion. We believe all of Milwaukee loves tacos, not just the south side."
For more information on the June 7 kickoff event, visit the group's Facebook page.