Labor & Employment Law

Wisconsin Rally in Full Swing??Protect Our State?

By Tula Connell

This in from Organizing for America’s Jessie Lidbury, live from Madison, Wis.:

?Protect our state!? came the cry from the Capitol streets. They were lined with workers, students and rights activists who hope that Gov. Walker and our state legislature will hear their voices above the noise of their own interests.

As they walked their talk, workers received waves and supportive honks from passing cars as Day 2 of protests commenced.

The emotion of seeing this unfold, of being truly present has been overwhelming. We are truly among the people?people who are not coming to see someone speak, but to be heard themselves.

Melissa is a social worker in Madison, a mother of two, and her husband is a teacher. With two jobs in the public sector, their livelihoods are at risk, but that’s not the only thing: ?I?m here also because I have two kids, and their education is important to me. If this bill passes, it hurts their teachers, their schools.?

Just before noon the swell of supporters grew to the thousands as workers, union members and allies all approached the Capitol steps. Coming up State Street, a troop of student nurses held their banner high and proudly marched.

Soon after, bagpipes sounded as the firefighters joined, while rally-goers gave them an awe-inspiring round of cheers.

Read more here.

Full post as published by AFL-CIO NOW BLOG on February 17, 2011 (boomark / email).