Wisconsin workers and students stand up to attacks on public employees
Madison, WI – Feb. 17, 12:30 p.m.: The State Capitol Building here is the second largest in the country and it is packed full today. Tens of thousands are protesting inside and out. The energy is intense and not a corner of the Capitol is quiet. 2000 students from UW-Madison marched to the capitol at 11:00 a.m. and 500 high school students just rushed up State Street to join the protest. Firefighter, police, sheet metal, iron workers, airplane pilot unions and more are all present.
At 12:00 p.m. people flooded the Capitol to block all stairways, elevators and entrances to stop the legislative session. The session began, but Democrats in the State Senate have walked out. There is no quorum to pass the bill that strips public workers of their right to bargain. There are reports that State Troopers were called to bring them back.
Last night, hundreds of students stayed in the Capitol, sleeping on the marble floors.
At UW-Milwaukee, hundreds are protesting and marching throughout campus.
