Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker is hosting the National Governor's Association in Milwaukee this week. Time for fireworks and posh soirees on the lakefront. The Overpass Light Brigade was there to greet the Governors tonight, and the police were there to be sure we couldn't get near to the event. We wanted to get right up near the windows of Discovery World, but settled for a lovely grassy knoll, in full view when everyone left the party. Behind us was the Milwaukee Art Museum and behind that, the city. In front of us was Discovery World, in front of that the looming darkness of Lake Michigan.
Our message? Simple: let's focus on Jobs and the economy rather than coordinated attempts to strip women of their reproductive and health care rights.
There were a bunch of plain clothes security guys standing near the edge of our fence line, and police were everywhere. We had our own contingent that seemed to be assigned to us. Everyone is so grim and suspicious. I went up, said hello to the plain clothes guys. No one one would look at me. I said hello again, and one guy grunted, "hello." I pointed out that it was a lovely night, and asked if they were from Milwaukee. No one answered. I said that I wanted to welcome them to Milwaukee if they had never visited before, thinking that perhaps they were traveling security. "I'm from Milwaukee," said one reluctantly. "Are you from Milwaukee?" he asked me. It felt like a stealthy punch, but might have been a sign of friendliness. "Yes!" I said with overt enthusiasm. "I am and I love it here! What a city - just look around!" He said, oddly, "I'm from here and I choose to be here!" and I responded, while gesturing to the JOBS, NOT VAGINAS sign, "Ahh, choice is a good thing!"
He quit talking to me.
Fireworks went off. People started to leave, and then it got fun. We turned towards the building so they could all see the signs as they drove by or walked to the parking lot. More police came, and I greeted a lot of them cordially and sincerely. Lots and lots of people came up and took pictures. The governor's tour buses and black limos came by. We could see a lot of cell phones through the smoked glass.
It was a beautiful night in Milwaukee!