This is a follow up to my earlier diary describing the walk-out by Madison, Wisconsin school teachers. There were more massive protests today in opposition to Governor Scott Walker's pending bill to destroy nearly all the public-employee unions in Wisconsin.
There is information all over the web about the particulars and I urge everyone to see what's happening here in Wisconsin, but this diary is just my recap of an exciting day supporting public employees.
I do not live in Madison, but in a small town not far from there. My day started by my writing an excuse for my son, who wanted to participate in a walk-out at his school in support of the teachers. (I wish the teachers in his school had as much guts as their students or as the teachers in Madison.) I wrote it out, but I also called in his potential absence and one for my daughter, who decided to walk out, too.
I wandered into the school about 9:45 a.m., when the protest was set to begin. About 150 students met in the large commons area with signs and chants of "Kill the Bill!" I left after one of the staff gave me the evil eye and I waited outside. A few minutes later, 50 or so students walked out, continued their chanting, then headed off for home or to the big rally in Madison.
I dropped off my daughter and her friends, then my son and I grabbed our protest signs and headed for Madison. We joined the huge, slow picket line around the capitol grounds, then the smaller inside picket line closer to the building, finally landing a primo spot not far from the podium that had been set up for the guest speakers. After a couple rousing rock songs, the program began. We sang along to a beautiful rendition of the Star Spangled Banner, heard a very inclusive prayer from a local pastor, then listened as one by one, ordinary workers - all union members - told their stories.
A nurse (a veteran of the Air Force and a Reagan Republican) expressed her desire to Kill the Bill.
Another nurse, then a teacher, then a half dozen or so other regular, hard-working people all encouraged the throng of thousands to chant "Kill the Bill" and "Negotiate, not Legislate!"
But then...the best moment of the day. The leader of the firefighters union - one of the few unions exempted from cuts by the Governor in hopes of splitting the movement - reminded us that when there's an emergency, firefighters respond. When the house is burning down, they don't run out - they go in. He offered to have his union members lead us in to the capitol - and they did! With bagpipes and drums!!!
Thousands of us filed in, singing along to more blaring music, then chanting "Kill the Bill."
We climbed to the third level of the rotunda to get a good view. I can't describe the joy and determination of everyone inside.
It was a great beginning to what will be a long, hard struggle, but it was a day I'll never forget.
Photos here.
Updated by Giles Goat Boy at Wed Feb 16, 2011, 07:16:24 PM
Just learned Madison Teachers Incorporated is instructing its members to go to the capitol on Thursday and Friday, too. Lots of good local press - parents are overwhelmingly supportive.
Russ Feingold is on Maddow tonight. There was an NBC crew at the rally. I'm sure she'll show video...and it is AWESOME!!!
Updated by Giles Goat Boy at Wed Feb 16, 2011, 10:21:55 PM
MAJOR UPDATE: WEAC, the Wisconsin Education Association Council has called for teachers STATE-WIDE to call in sick tomorrow and Friday. Walker's big tactical mistake: going after all public employees at once. In many counties, the only decent jobs are government jobs. Teachers, prison guards, highway workers...they all know this is going to destroy their local economies and they are fighting back! At least one other district besides Madison has closed schools for Thursday and I expect more will follow.