I got back last night from a weekend in Madison and wanted to share some thoughts and photos with the DK community. I hope you enjoy!
I feel like I should put in a little disclaimer: Obviously, there's been a lot of photos, news stories, diaries, and items online and off regarding Madison. I'd like to say that for all of the above that you can check out, there truly is nothing like being there. I thought I had an idea of what things would be like, but you seriously cannot fathom the incredible level of love, solidarity, unity, focus, purpose. It is really absolutely amazing. If I didn't have to work, I'd still be there, and I plan on joining more friends from NY there next weekend. If you have some vacation time or an ability to fly out, drive out, bus out, however you have to get there, you should really try to do it.
(This isn't a plug, so I don't want it to come off that way, but just informational--if you are in the Midwest, you can take the Megabus (dot com) each way for $25, which is what we did. And so worth it. Anyway...)
I've been to my share of protests/rallies/etc. but Madison is truly unlike anything I have ever seen, in the sheer magnitude of the meaning and the people there. I was also slightly concerned about whether Wisconsinites would be really thrilled (at least over an extended period of time) about people from out-of-state coming to town, a la gripes about the Dean volunteers in Iowa way back when. But the level of hospitality is overwhelming. In fact, in my basic interactions with anyone who I told that I came from out of town, literally at the end and the goodbyes of each conversation I received a "thank you for coming." Now that I think about it, I don't think a single Wisconsinite I interacted with didn't say thank you. Wisconsinites are really amazing people.
In a word, the entire experience was simply....awesome. Please, if you get a chance, do yourself a favor and take a trip to beautiful Madison, lovely Wisconsin.
Ok! Moving forward...but first, I'd like to share my favorite moment of the weekend and simultaneously try to set the mood, if you're down with that.
I was lucky enough to get to be right behind the stage for Saturday's big rally. Prior to things getting underway, there was a lot of protest music blaring out of the speakers, which was really fun. (Also, imagine seeing the half a dozen schoolteachers next to me who had driven hours from northern WI getting down to "Jump Around." Really great.)
At one point, the next song that came on was "Uprising" by Muse. Coincidentally, someone behind me and right behind the stage had a sign that had the lyrics to the chorus on it:
It obviously wasn't the entire crowd, but it was loud. A ton of voices, bobbing their heads and bopping up and down (to stay warm) all singing the chorus at the top of our collective lungs, was so, so awesome. Unfortunately, I can't embed the video of the song, but do yourself a favor and open it in a new window to get a little dose of experiencing what it was like while you check out the pics. IT. WILL. BE. AWESOME. Do it!
Muse - Uprising
"They will not force us, they will stop degrading us. They will not control us, WE. WILL. BE. VICTORIIIIOOOOUUUSSSS! ... Rise up and take the power back, it's time the fat cats had a heart attack...you know that their time is coming to an end, we have to unify and watch our flag ascend!"
Now that you're ready, onto the pics!
There she is!
The papers we were greeted with...
The place we parked was supposed to be $10, but when we told the attendant that we were going to the protest, he said, "No charge." The first sign of good things to come. We ran into this group of "marshals" on the way in, volunteers who would help make sure things ran smoothly.
No kidding...
Thugs on the way in...
Police of all types were at the Capitol and were some of the most noticeable protesters...
"Scott Walker may not have any of our coffee."
Many people from out of town had signs that were "cars" showing where they were from
Entering the building was amazing. Completely full of people all cheering each other on. We were already pumped up from the huge crowd outside chanting "What's disgusting? Union busting!"
Appropriate...
The noise was deafening.
There were tons of kids and families there, and a family "section" had even been setup. This little dude had a couple of messages for Scott Walker and Paul Ryan...although, to play devil's advocate, that tiny fist is pretty menacing.
People were not very stoked on Scott Walker's use of the term "fireside chat"
This is a picture of my friend John and me. John is from Wisconsin and packed a carload of students from the School of Industrial and Labor Relations at Cornell University into his car and drove 850 miles to be there. Below is an inspiring video of a speech he gave on the floor of the Capitol. The end is the best--it's how we end all of our meetings at the Cornell Organization for Labor Action, and seeing it on video live from ground zero was super cool:
Amen.
People of faith were also heavy in attendance. I love this one...
"Notice to Teabaggers: If you work for a private company, you have the right to organize a union. For private-sector workers, these rights are enforced by a federal agency, the National Labor Relations Board (Milwaukee office: 414-297-3861). You may not have a union, and you may not like unions, but you have the right to have a union. Why deprive state, county, city, and school-district employees of this same right? I don't get it."
A nominee for my favorite sign: Disregard facts, acquire silly costumes.
Then we moved outside. This was still early, but the progression wrapped all the way around from everything I could see.
Messages of support from Members...
Yes, I believe Fighting Bob would.
Another common theme. Wouldn't that be AWESOME?
Another common sight. Donated food for the protesters was in abundance.
Lookout! Another thug! The place was crawling with 'em.
ONE MORE DAY!
... !!! ...
Walker Boulevard, formerly known as "Skid Row" ... Firefighter, Nurse, Teacher, Prison Guard
This bear just kept yelling, "I'm supposed to be hibernating!"
The sign says, "This cheese does not stand alone." Which, of course, threw off everything I learned as a child.
There were all kinds of animals there. This one had a sweet 'stache.
<3
Fox News WILL lie about this!
Another favorite.
They made sure to play all the Badger hits...
This kid Sam was rad! He walked up there like nothing doing. He was introduced as a 13 year old public school student who had written a song for his teacher that he wanted to sing for us. He stepped up to the mike, and said, "Hello Wisconsin! (hello!)..I can't hear you, I said HELLO WISCONSIN! (HELLO!) Ok, I'm going to sing you each line of the chorus, and you'll sing it back. And then we'll sing it together." And he did, and we did! On Wisconsin, it's our time, it's time to take a stand. We can't let Walker walk all over our land.
West Winger
As you may or may not know, the Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers are the only publicly-owned team in the 4 major sports.
Peter from Peter, Paul, and Mary. Not only did he play but he also told a lot of great civil rights struggle stories. "Whose side are you on?"
Stand with Wisconsin!
Thanks, Madison. See you next weekend!
"And if we don't take action now, we'll settle for nothing later. If we settle for nothing now, then we'll settle for nothing later!"--Rage Against the Machine