The rally at the Wisconsin State Capitol, led by postal workers, highlighted growing concerns over the sharp rise in assaults and robberies targeting U.S. Postal Service employees.
Last year, incidents of robberies against postal workers surged to over 600, marking a dramatic seven-fold increase compared to 2019.
The National Association of Letter Carriers, which represents most USPS letter carriers, organized the event to urge lawmakers for stronger protections.
A proposed federal bill aims to address this issue by enacting harsher penalties for those who assault postal employees, while also enhancing security measures and increasing funding for investigations and prosecutions related to these crimes.
Dawn Ahnen, the president of the Wisconsin State Association of Letter Carriers and a letter carrier herself, emphasized that postal workers need better protections to ensure their safety while on duty.
Ahnen took time during her break to speak with WORT News Producer Faye Parks, offering insights into the day-to-day challenges faced by letter carriers and the urgency of the situation.