Warm spring winds whipped grit in my eyes as I walked across the expansive State Fair parking lot towards the entrance of the Expo Building; a voluminous space that was scheduled to house one of four Joint Finance Committee's public hearings throughout Wisconsin. There were a lot of policemen outside, more than seemed necessary for the small crowds milling towards the doors.
A sign let us know that we were walking into highly guarded territory, that our bags and coats would be searched, that we couldn't exit or re-enter the space (an odd assertion... were we going into a Roach Motel or a Venus Flytrap? Seriously? We can't leave or return?) that we would be allowed no cell phones, recording devices, video cameras, still cameras, laptops, photos, literature distribution, posters, banners, strollers, car seats, food and/or beverages.
Thus, the "public hearing" began. It was scheduled far away from downtown Milwaukee, and at a time when it would be very difficult for working people to attend. Having left my camera, video cam, mac laptop, Fitzwalkerstan flags, picnic basket full of refried cheese curds and dipping sauce and stroller full of anchor babies back to the car, I entered the big building.
It was a huge hall, all hard surfaces causing acoustical echo. There were about 300 people in attendance all sitting in front of a high dais holding 20 legislators from, I presumed, the Joint Finance Committee, arrayed under a massive sign that read "CONCESSIONS." Ah, yes, what a portentous reminder that Wisconsin is Open For Business! Wisconsin State Rep (R) Robin Vos was presiding over the 2 minute testimonials, with "recall queen" Alberta Darling at his side. I recognized the hapless Randy Hopper and thuggish slob Glenn Grothman, as well as folk heroes Lena Taylor and Chris Larson among the group.
Testimonials flowed. In the 2 hours that I was there, I heard only 2 business groups express accolades towards Walker's budget. Everyone else expressed concern or anger, some tactful and polite, others just plain outraged. "Your budget will rip the soul out of my daughter's school..." "You could not have made this hearing more difficult for working parents to attend..." "This budget is an immoral document in its impact on our schools..." "The barriers set up against discussion are breathtaking..." "You discriminate against at-risk kids by allowing caps on vouchers to be lifted..." "Don't cut transitional workers employment program which helped me go from the streets to a respectable job, from being a follower to being a leader..."
An old guy in a wheelchair with an amputated leg testified that he will lose his house if they cut Badgercare. A Downs adult who works and lives independently said that she will lose her two jobs if they reduce funding for Family Care. Farmers discussed how the loss of a state conservation easement program will devastate their ability to keep their farms. Opposition to the plans to separate and privatize UW from our great and comprehensive Wisconsin University system was expressed. AARP members spoke about the importance of keeping Senior Care, a threatened program that actually saves the state money. A woman from Planned Parenthood eloquently outlined the importance of their services to the under insured. Another woman bemoaned the effect of the cuts in transit on the working poor, and how the proposed move of the transit budget into the general budget will even worse for public trans... The testimonials went on and on. I left the event at 12:30, with the intention of coming back for a rally at 4:30. They were still going strong when I returned, though the repressive sign outlining forbidden acts was no longer present.
Feminist scholar Judith Butler has written about the political possibilities of "the performative" within the context of of performance theory. She claimed that public performance, and especially political performance, reiterates and codifies extant power structures. However, she goes on to claim that such structures can be expropriated through unauthorized actions. Such disruptions can create new futures.
Throughout the day, there was absolutely no possibility of any kind of fissure in the fabric of our performed and symbolic Public Hearing. There were only utterances that boiled down to anger from below directed upward to a distracted assemblage of politicians who have made it clear for two months that they are profoundly beyond words. The "send and receive" loop is willfully foreclosed; there is no one receiving the signal.
In the evening, however, there were a few significant breaks in the authorized theatrics of the hearing. After the most diverse rally that I have yet attended (which included a great street puppet of Scott Walker) the 800 strong crowd silently marched into the Expo building. We fanned out inside, arms raised in fists of resistance, and moved in an expanding silent wave. It is hard to explain the power of the moment, but it was stunning as we stood in silent testimonial, respecting the silence of the event, but placing our bodies in visible display.
One young man walked up to a podium stand and introduced himself as if he'd been called to testify. He then said, "We the people resent what you Republicans are doing, and Alberta Darling, we're gonna recall your ass!" While not the most salient of the testimonials, it was concise, and a real crowd pleaser. He was reprimanded, and the crowd broke into wild cheers. Senator Taylor reminded us to respect the protocols of the hearing, which we did. The testimonials went on, and on. I understood, by the end of the day, that the power of our performance was not in speech, but was in witness.
Update: Here is a video of the last portion of the day: