Milwaukee Red Cross changes visit policy after criticism

MILWAUKEE (AP) — The American Red Cross of Wisconsin is abandoning a new policy in Milwaukee that would have forced predominantly black and Latino residents from low-income areas to travel to receive the organization's volunteer assistance after a house fire.

The organization released a statement Wednesday saying it will continue sending volunteers out to help fire victims in the affected neighborhoods. The Red Cross had quickly faced backlash over the policy change, which critics said was discriminatory and favored wealthy residents.