 |
Don Taylor has kept UALE members up to date on what is happening in Wisconsin. Below are some ofthe comments and links he has sent out.
Mar. 9:
The Republican Senate in Wisconsin has passed the anti-union provisions of the budget repair bill. They did so by voting on the anti-union provisions separately, thus avoiding the quorum requirement that goes along with a fiscal bill.
The vote was 18-1, with one Republican voting no. Of course, this was passed suddenly without much prior notice, and so none of the Senate Democrats were present.
We got word very late in the afternoon today that the Republicans would be doing this - alerts went out on Facebook and by email that the maneuver was in process. Hundreds - then thousands- converged on the capitol within an hour, but few, if any, were allowed into the building.
The Assembly convenes tomorrow morning to consider the new anti-union bill, freed of its fiscal portions. Now it's solely an anti-union bill with no pretense of budget repair. The Assembly will unquestionably pass it.
I have some further thoughts that I'll write up tonight and post to a blog - later tonight or tomorrow - and will send the text out here as well.
"You can't win, Darth. If you strike me down, I shall become more powerful than you could possibly imagine." - Obi-Wan Kenobi
Mar. 8:
I don’t understand the technology behind this, but here are some astounding 360 degree panorama photographs from Madison. View them in full screen high definition, if you are able.
www.tourdeforce360.com/madison_protest/
Mar. 5:
Another nice Wisconsin video. Only thing I question is the accuracy of the list of states that have already "backed down." But the fight continues! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rG9I-oA_Er0
Mar. 4:
Our 17-day continuous peaceful occupation of the Wisconsin state capitol ended after the governor illegally locked the building down and surrounded it with police. Among those who were denied entry to the building were former U.S. Congressman David Obey. Last night, a Democratic legislator was tackled to the ground by police when he attempted to enter the building.
The last protesters left the capitol together singing, and chanting “We’ll be back!”
The “sanitation” of the building was done in preparation for Gov. Walker’s budget speech on March 1. With the building closed to the public and under police garrison, dozens of Walker supporters were sneaked in via underground tunnels. So when the governor gave his speech, it was punctuated with massive ovations from the gallery, which had been stacked with supporters – while the people of Wisconsin were locked out. Some have said that the streets near the capitol were heavily populated with out-of-state cars with Ron Paul bumperstickers. No joke.
This was all done in flagrant violation of the state constitution and a court order to open the capitol. Even after a judge ordered the building opened, the Department of Administration kept the building on lockdown while telling the press they were in compliance with the order.
Meanwhile, the Republicans have ordered that the Democratic senators be apprehended “with or without force.”
Today, the capitol appears to be fully reopened, but protesters will need to leave when the building ends its regular business hours.
Another huge rally is scheduled for this weekend. Alas, I’ll be in Milwaukee doing steward training. However, I’m sure it will become an impromptu discussion of the crisis, its national repercussions, and the national/global neoliberal agenda that lurks behind its ugly curtain. And, of course, the spirit and the promise of the movement that has developed in response.
Here is an inspiring “Thank You” video from Democratic State Sen. Jon Erpenbach: www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6CQvex2was
Mar. 1: Another wonderful video from Wisconsin. http://vimeo.com/20482056
Feb. 27:
Here is another nicely-done video of the people's movement in Madison, including footage from yesterday's massive demonstration.
Great crowd shot right at the end. www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXNA4uQ3J7Q
Feb. 25:
Here is an excellent video produced by UW student that truly captures the spirit of what is happening here in Madison. Enjoy! www.rawstory.com/rawreplay/2011/02/student-captures-spirit-of-wisconsin-pro-union-rallies-in-music-video/
Feb. 24:
Bill Barry and I (UALE members widely separated by geography) appeared on the Baltimore-based Marc Steiner radio show on Wednesday evening to discuss events in Wisconsin and the broader concept of public sector collective bargaining....
If anyone would like to hear the broadcast, here it is:www.steinershow.org/radio/the-marc-steiner-show/february-23-2011-hour-2
Not much new to report from Madison. Another enormous demonstration today. Police presence at the capitol has increased, amidst rumors that the building will be cleared out. Also heard rumors this morning that health concerns among the “campers” may be used as a pretext for emptying the building.
Governor Walker has threatened to send out thousands of “at risk of layoff” notices to state employees next week. This morning, the state police reportedly went to the residences of several Democratic state senators in hopes of finding them at home. They only need to get one back to the capitol in order to vote.
The prank call to Governor Walker is getting a lot of media attention, as is the recent Gallup poll indicating over 60% public support for our cause.
Lastly, John Russo of YSU forwarded me this statement from New Zealand, which I have shared with people on the ground here:
To the striking public sector workers of Wisconsin
From the other side of the world, this group of unionists and historians sends you our warm support. The rights of labour are international, and your courage and sacrifice is an inspiration to other unionists and public sector workers worldwide. However long and difficult your current struggle may be, we will be cheering you on and valuing your historic challenge.
Kia kaha - In solidarity,
Mark Derby
for Labour History Project
Wellington, NZ
Feb. 18:
A hastily-written blog entry I wrote for Talking Union this afternoon: http://talkingunion.wordpress.com/2011/02/18/the-class-war-in-%E2%80%9Cprogressive%E2%80%9D-wisconsin/
I was at the capitol until 11 PM . . .large crowds are still there. When I left, I passed several groups of students who were heading to the capitol with pillows and blankets.
Ed Schultz broadcast live from outside the capitol tonight, hope folks got to see that.
More demonstrations tomorrow, with Rich Trumka speaking. Monday is an already-scheduled furlough day for the state workforce, so I'm thinking that could be another huge day.
