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More than 100,000 Rally in Wisconsin
This is a crosspost from the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO.
On a snowy Wisconsin Saturday over 100,000 union members, working families, community members, faith leaders, activist groups and concerned citizens gathered in Madison to tell Gov. Walker to stop the attacks on the middle class and kill the bill.
Despite the weather today’s rally was the biggest in the thirteen days of protests. The people of Wisconsin will continue to fight for their rights. It is time for our elected officials to show leadership, come to the table and move Wisconsin forward.
Wisconsin’s teachers, nurses, snow plow drivers, and other public employees have agreed to Walker’s pension and health care concessions, which he said would solve the budget challenge. The Governor’s continued attacks on our state’s working families harm us all. It is now up to the Governor to be reasonable and listen to his constituents.
The whole nation has taken notice of what we are doing in Wisconsin. Today solidarity rallies were held in all fifty states, as America stands with Wisconsin.
What’s happened in our state has made the whole labor movement stronger. None of this would have been possible without the support, dedication and solidarity of both union members and non-union members who understand more than they have in a long time just how much we’re all in this together.
For photos of past rallies and select solidarity actins visit the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO flickr page. Be sure to “like” us on Face Book and follow us on twitter so you can be up-to-date as we continue the fight for worker rights.
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14 Comments
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Our hearts to Wisconsin working people! I’m sure I can speak for all those who attended the Support Wisconsin! rally today at the Utah capitol building in Salt Lake City. Hundreds were out in force today to show their support for those who might be affected in Wisconsin by the very serious attempts of Governor Walker and his cronies to do away with collective bargaining by public employees there. The weather was cold and snowy, but spirits were high and passionate by those in attendance. I was proud to be a part of it all, and proud that I am and always have been a part of those who feel strongly for the rights the Working Men and Women in this country should, but don’t always, have. Utah’s President of the AFLCIO, Jim Judd, was in attendance and one of the fine speakers that addressed those in attendance. It was a fine day for the Unions of this country!
Rock on Wisconsin.
We’ve got your backs.
Look at poll from internet
http://www.newsmax.com/surveys/results/id/9?PROMO_CODE=BB8B-1
Newsmax is owned by FOX. That is the most anti-union station in America. If you are a Union member, stop watching right-wing trash. Union members must stand together now more than ever. Nothing would make the wing-nuts happier than turn Unions against Unions. The poll you showed was taken from nothing but right-wing Union haters. Thanks…
It would be nice but the Unions (AFL-CIO ) left us . I am a 41 year dues paying,Union Member where our Union used to be 100% Democrat maybe 1 in a 1000 still democrat because the Democrat Party & ASL-CIO has backed Job outsourcing , Job movel to other Countries & Illegle aliens until both get back to reality with the Southern Brothers ,they are in line for extincion
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Way to go Wisconsin!!!!!!!!!!!!! I’m behind you 100%!!!!!!!!!!!! I wish my health andmy husband’s health were better I’d either be there or In Sprinfiled, Illinois protesting against our Gongress and the Tea Party!!!!
Dorothy Hart and Wilbur Hart
Marion, Illinois
Gov Walker is not listening to the concerned citizens. Gov Walker has awakened and energized a sleeping giant
This is just the beginning. Finally – finally, Labor is fighting back, because working Americe just can not take anymore of these attacks. There are not longer any individual solutions available – like moving in with other family, or just stop paying your mortgage, or working two or three jobs, or more training for jobs that are not there. We know that criminals on Wall St created this endless housing, job and deficit crisis, not working people. We know that they have stolen so much wealth that it is enough to put almost every Democratic and Republican Party politician on their payroll, to the point where they write the laws, and corrupt the regulators so as to continue to steal billions without fear of any government action to stop them. We know that the media is controlled by these same elements, by and large. We know that these same rich gangsters are funding and creating all of the antiLabor, anti-immigrant and racist ‘taxpayer’, ‘citizens’ and ‘tea party’ groups, to divide and destroy us. The also know that the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are about conquest and oil and contractors and massive fraud, not freedom. Yes, we have learned an awful lot over the last 10 years – knowledge and wisdom for which we have paid dearly.
Now it is the time for the American WORKING CLASS (we do not need to pretend that we are middle class) to step onto the main stage. The floodgates have been opened. We must make the most out of this, the inevitable working class explosion. We must see 100,000 in Madison as still just the beginning. Our goal must be to shut the entire state of Wisconsin down with over ONE MILLION WORKERS MARCHING ON MADISON FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.
Of course, we can not build or consolidate any real strength without our own political pary of Labor. Two months ago, there were many waiting for what seemed like foever for Labor to stand up, and now it is exploding across the Midwest, just like the Middle East. The 14 Senators staying away are the only real friends we have out of thousands of Democratic and Republican party politicians. They should be invited to join our new party, which is the only way we can stop these attacks and turn the tables on our enemies.
Dear, American Federation of Labor – Congress of Industrial Organizations please do not use your power and intimidation to force your issues. It makes those of us who are not union members fear and disrespect you. It makes you look like gangsters not like Americans who are working to build a better place to live. No matter how hard you try, the majority of us who are not unionized understand that times are tough and we’ve got to give more than demand more. You actually seem to encourage adults to act like children who throw a temper-tantrum because their parents can not afford that new toy.
We are nothing like the middle east. Your comparisons make you look anti-american and do you more harm than good.
Saturday I DID NOT SEE ONE PRO-WALKER SIGN. The atmosphere was that of a 60′s love fest right down to Peter Yarrow of Peter Paul and Mary singing a few songs and voicing his support. There was no “bullying”, as postee “progress” touted, by the AFL-CIO; but there certainly is from Walker!
What we really need to protest against is the Yellow Journalism that runs rampant in the media and roughshod over the voices of reason. It’s my opinion that entities like FOX News could not exist in a climate of reason and respect. In the “free enterprise” system they have manuvered so that lobbying is little more than purchasing government like Koch purchased Walker. It is NOT anti-American to demand a decent wage and decent working conditions. There is a limit to what you can give before you start loosing your home.
My pension and hospitalization are 100% funded by negotiated contributions instead of wages. I will also get full social security and expect not to be a burden on society in any way at retirement. A Wal-Mart type employee may have to get public assistance while still working just to exist now, let alone consider retirement at all.
By the way, public employees often do not qualify for full social security, and they are merely are asking for what they were promised. Now, like corporate raiders, the Wisconsin Governor sees the pensions as a source of monies to counter ballance his handouts to his corporate conspirators.
In response to 27.02.2011 at 13:21 addressed to Dear American Federation of Labor – Congress of Industrial Organizations: With all due respect, you just do not get it. I find your lack of knowledge concerning. It’s obvious you have not taken any time to learn with understanding the founding principles of this country and our freedoms. These peaceful demonstrations are not temper tantrums, but rather an exercise in what is granted to American citizens under the Constitution—the right to assemble and protest. By your comments it’s obvious you also know little about the history of labor unions and their evolution away from the gangster mentality and methodologies.
The First Amendment of the Constitution addresses specific freedoms, one of which is freedom of assembly.
Freedom of assembly is the individual right to come together and express, promote, pursue and defend common interest. The right to freedom of association is recognized as a human right, a political, freedom and a civil liberty. Freedom of assembly and freedom of association may be used to distinguish between the freedom to assemble in public places and the freedom of joining an association. Freedom of assembly is often used in the context of the right to protest, while freedom of association is used in the context of labor rights and the right to collective bargain.
Walker wants to take away these rights guaranteed to Americans under the Constitution. It is imperative we protest this and, if necessary, start a revolution.
Power to the people! That’s right! Americans must use their power and activate their courage to preserve our rights as written in the constitution which are the principles behind the creation of America. “We the people . . . [as stated in the preamble] . . .” must preserve liberties . . . recognizing their (the people’s) UNLIMITED power. One of the intents of the Constitution was to impose severe limitations upon government.
The reason times are tough is because of corruption in our government and the people’s lack of appropriate response–passivity. Much has already been lost. America is no longer that “better place to live.” Labor unions work to hold on to our basic human rights and, hopefully, restore this country back to the founding fathers intentions, not buy “new toys.”
Americans who are underpaid and overworked with no health benefits need to organize and protest their situation so they too can have a better quality of life. It’s not only childish jealousy that prompts one to tell those who seemingly have more to accept less, it’s passive, cowardice and stupid.
Apparently the New York City rally (supporting the Wisconsin workers) that overflowed City Hall Park (probably about 15,000 people or more) was not considered by the New York Times to be news fit to print.
It’s time to boycott this hidden right wing agenda.
When the President of the United States gives his word that he will stand with you on the picket line he must do just that !! STAND ON THE PICKET LINE !! In union terms that is your most sccred word, TO STAND WITH MY BROTHER or SISTER. To this point he has not kept his word. President Obama must do so or he will be a one term President, PERIOD!! All over America union members are waiting for him to keep his word. If the American union movement doesn’t hear this President speak out and stand on the picket line in WISCONSIN, HE CAN FORGET OUR HELP IN 2012; he will not see UNION MEMBERS on the voting lines and yes union members would rather give up an arm rather then vote for a scab…..The President is talking the talk!! can he walk the walk ??
When the President of the United States gives his word that he will stand with you on the picket line he must di just that !!! In union terms that is your most sacred word, TO STAND WITH MY BROTHER or SISTER. To this point he has not kept his word. President Obama must do so or he willbe a one term President, PERIOD!! All over America union members are waiting for him to keep his word. If the