Madison, WI – Protests Swell To 25,000 People At Wisconsin State Capitol

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    Protestors to Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker's bill to eliminate collective bargaining rights for many state workers pack the rotunda at the State Capitol in Madison, Wis., Thursday, Feb. 17, 2011. (AP Photo/Andy Manis)Madison, WI – Authorities say an estimated 25,000 people are protesting anti-union legislation at the Wisconsin state Capitol, and nine demonstrators have been arrested.

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    On the third day of protests, the Statehouse was completely jammed with protesters opposed to a bill that would strip public employees of their collective bargaining rights. The crowd filled the building’s hallways, sat cross-legged across the floor and chanted slogans.

    For the moment, a group of Democratic senators have blocked the bill by refusing to attend a midday vote and leaving the Capitol. The sergeant at arms was looking for them.

    One member of the group told The Associated Press that they had all left Wisconsin in an effort to force Republicans to negotiate.

    Republicans hold a 19-14 majority, but they need at least one Democrat to be present before voting.


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    13 Comments
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    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    13 years ago

    Same thing happened several years ago in Texas where the Dems fled to New Mexico to avoid a quorum. They sent the Texas Rangers after them and Tom DeLay actually called the FAA to help track down their plane. He’s going to jail (for other felonies) but that should be a good lesson.

    JewishEndOfDays
    JewishEndOfDays
    13 years ago

    Looks like these protesters believe in democracy (not!).

    But I suppose, given the current Middle East examples, democracy=governing by riot.

    Mark Levin
    Mark Levin
    13 years ago

    Kid yourselves not! This has Obama’s fingerprints as well as the.fingerprints of the Socialist Liberal Democrat Workers Party all over it! Just look at his personal websites barackobama.com and organizingforamerica.com. They should be brought up on criminal charges!

    levelhead
    levelhead
    13 years ago

    When trying to compare gov’t benefits to those of the private sector, remember that when the economies are doing well, gov’t workers do not get bonuses or better salaries. People choose to work in gov’t knowing that they’ll never get wealthy, but they’ll have a steady job and good benefits. When times were economically better people in the private sector were making (& spending) lots of money, while gov’t employees got very modest raises. In NYC every city raise was accompanied by givebacks as well and most people did not want to go into gov’t service because they felt they could do better in the private sector. Now that times are tough, people want to blame gov’t workers who overall never made much to begin with for an economical mess that they most certainly did not create.

    PMOinFL
    PMOinFL
    13 years ago

    Somehow I just knew the crazies like #4 and #2 would be shouting from their pulpit of ignorance on this one. So perhaps I can provide you with a lesson in civics and freedom. Let me first say that I am 100% in favor of the union-busters. Unions are destroying America. Period.

    #2 claims that this is somehow “anti-democracy”. The ability of the people to protest the government is the foundation of any democracy. The rule that allows for the Democrats to run off and stop the vote is law in that state. The people’s representatives enacted that law for a reason. It is frankly not much different than a filibuster. In most of our nation’s politically divided legislatures, such rules are in place to prevent extremist legislation to be imposed by the party in power at that moment.

    #4 makes me feel sad for the ignorant like him. By the way I have never heard of that political party. I just looked and it was made up by Hannity and Beck (not sure who said it first). Another lie? No surprise there. What exactly are the criminal charges? The people have a CONSTITUTIONAL right to protest and the legislators have a LEGAL right to take such action. Get your facts straight buddy!

    cowfy
    cowfy
    13 years ago

    wow 5-7 from the liberal nut case this time.my grandaughters rabbits name was pimo by the way.calm down please.why are the police looking for these creeps if the law is on there side.could it be a court order.i really dont know but please no lies you libs.