On Saturday, March 12th, an estimated 185,000 concerned citizens gathered to stand up against Scott Walker’s extreme attacks on worker rights and Wisconsin’s middle class. Despite the seriousness of the situation the energy on the ground was unprecedented as young and old, union and non-union, public sector and private sector, came together to stand up for Wisconsin’s working class.
In the biggest rally in Madison since the protests started, hundreds of thousands of working families, small business owners, farmers, students, religious groups, women’s rights groups, environmentalists, private sector workers and public sector workers gathered to say that worker rights are human rights and they must be protected.
Thousands of Wisconsin Farmers brought their tractors down to Capitol Square “pulling together for working families” and held a Tractorcade around the Capitol. Tractors displayed signs such as “Don’t Farm Out Our Jobs,” “Wisconsin Farmers Support Public Employees,” and “Plowing Forward for Democracy.”
Along with having devastating affects on communities around the state Scott Walker’s proposed Budget would adversely affect rural areas.
For great video footage of the Tractorcade click here.
Chris Shiflett, of The Foo Fighters and Andrea Potts entertained the crowd with union songs, before a host of speakers addressed the rally.
‘The Fabulous 14’ Senate Democrats returned home to a hero’s welcome as the crowd thanked them for listening and standing up to the people.
Tony Shalhoub, star of Monk and Green Bay native, took to the stage with his sister, Amy, a Green Bay speech teacher and WEAC member.
“You all here today are the heart and hope of America” said Shalhoub. “This is the birth of a movement…a movement that is destined to restore the rights of workers and safeguard quality education for our children.”
For video of part of Shalhoub’s emotional speech click here.
Speakers also included Reverend Jerry Folk; Reverend Jesse Jackson; Phil Neuenfeldt, Wisconsin AFL-CIO President; Tom Buffenburgar, IAMAW President; Marty Biel, Executive Director AFSCME Council 24; Guy Costello , Teacher at South Milwaukee School District; Heather Terrill-Stotts, Principal, Arena Elementary School; Christine Neumann Ortiz, Voces de la Frontera Executive Director; Anna Zachow, SEIU Healthcare home worker; Mahlon Mitchell, Firefighter President; Jeff Myers, AFT; Sheila Cochran, Coalition of Black Trade Unionists and Mary Bell, President of WEAC.
What? Chris Shiflett was there? So I was warm and comfortable having lunch and stupidly missing Chris Shiflett? I feel so foolish right now!
Posted by: Rachael | 03/13/2011 at 09:29 PM
You forgot Susan Sarandon...
Posted by: P.W. | 03/13/2011 at 09:34 PM
I was there. It was amazing, awesome. But there were not thousands of tractors. And the official Madison Police Dept crowd estimate was 85,000-100,000.
I don't think it helps to inflate crowd figures - just gives fodder to right wing antagonists.
Posted by: Cindy in WI | 03/13/2011 at 09:56 PM
I was there and I am telling you we heard there were over 100,000 and I must say it looked that way!
Posted by: cc | 03/13/2011 at 10:59 PM
Here in Canada we are watching with excitement and solidarity. We support the Wisconsin protesters and consider them an amazing inspiration. You are fighting for democracry and your rights. You are standing up to those who want to take everything away from you and you are showing that you're a hell of a lot smarter than they give you credit for. These are your rights. You're showing us once again what America truly is. And we are proud of you.
Posted by: Dr. Frances Bitney | 03/14/2011 at 09:27 AM
Jesse Jackson was there too!
I agree, the estimate seems a little inflated. Not that it wasn't an impressive showing. It's just the largest estimate I've seen, and it's quite a bit higher than the others.
Posted by: Maggie | 03/14/2011 at 01:29 PM