As someone said, "Scott Walker just tried to put out a fire with gasoline."
Brother Steve Nelson from Local 200 is in Madison and just sent us the picture above. He tells us that the Rev. Jesse Jackson spoke in front of the locked Statehouse doors. Brother Rob Moss from Local 695 is on his way. "This is a sad day in Wisconsin history," he said.
We understand riot gear is being unloaded outside of the Capitol, and street medics are volunteering at rallies in case people need emergency medical treatment. Last night, a number of people just slept on the marble in the statehouse without pillows or blankets. Public had restricted access to the bathroom for some time.
Emergency protests were called throughout the state beginning at 9 a.m. CST: In Juneau, Eau Claire, Fond du Lac, Green Bay, La Crosse, Milwaukee, Neenah, Oshkosh, Platteville, Racine, Richland Center, Ripon and River Falls.
Meanwhile, as thousands of protesters arrive in Indianapolis, our sister Rebecca Hanscom is now in the Statehouse. Or as she calls it: "My house."
She reports there's a large contingent from Local 142 in Gary and a sea of Teamster "Stop the War on Workers" signs. Rebecca took a bus down from Northern Indiana earlier today. Here's how she described it:
234 buses from around state. AFT, SEIU, USW, AFSCME, retirees, laborers on my bus. Plus workers who have no union but want one. Excitment building. Guy on bus just made up motown-ish organizing song. Snowing.She's seeing some great signs:
- Indiana, Inc. Whatever happened to the Public Good?
- Can You hear Us Now?
