Found at the Wisconsin State HIstorical Society

     James protested against the local Eagles Cub, employment discrimination, housing segregation, voter registration, and other organizations. He joined and led a variety of non-violent protests in support of equality, freedom, and equal rights throughout his life, including the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People), MUSIC (Milwaukee United School Integration Committee), and other various protests. He left these at different points but continued to do civil rights work throughout his life. In 1968, he resigned from the NAACP. Later, in 1969, he joined the Welfare Mothers march, which protested against cuts in the state’s welfare budget. In 1972, he was arrested while protesting with blue-collar workers against the war in Vietnam. Groppi was jailed multiple times by the Milwaukee police for his activism.

     Father Groppi was very committed to equality, and he strongly believed in equality in all things, everywhere. His Catholic faith in a city full of Catholics helped him to convince many people to follow him, though some Catholics didn’t agree with his goals.

     “He [Groppi] would pack lunches with four or five sandwiches, fruit, and other snacks, much more than he could possibly eat. On his layovers, if there were people who stayed on the bus there at the end of the line, they were likely people who were homeless. He’d open his lunch and say, “Look at this! How does my wife think I can eat all of this? Can you help me out, eat some of this so I don’t have to take it home again?” - Margaret Rozga