1. Resources for the Madison Community

    Madison stands with the families of Abundant Life community. This page is dedicated to connecting victims and the broader community to resources and accurate information about the tragic events that happened on December 16.

Group of Black people walking in a parade. Two people are holding a banner for the Madison, Wisconsin African Women's Association.
Civil Rights

Gathering Witness Statements

If you think that a witness statement might help strengthen your case, you may ask the witness to write down what he or she saw, read, or heard. Remember that witnesses must have first-hand knowledge of the information they are reporting.

  1. For example, it would NOT strengthen your case to have a witness who had only heard about what happened to you from other people.
  2. Witnesses must have been present when a discriminatory action happened or must have directly heard the discriminatory comments relating to your case.
  3. Have your witness sign and date the statement.
  4. Be sure to include their address and telephone number.
  5. If the witness seems nervous about providing a statement because they are worried about retaliation (for example, the witness fears being fired for speaking against their employer), remind the witness that the Equal Opportunities Ordinance protects them after they speak out against discrimination.
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