Wisconsinites celebrated Labor Day at car shows, picnics, parades, solidarity walks and festivals across the state to honor the working men and women of Wisconsin.
This year’s Labor Day saw an increased level of solidarity as workers continue to come together with community members, students and people of faith like never before to fight the unprecedented political attacks waged by politicians who are determined to put corporate interest above the local needs of communities and middle class Wisconsinites.
Julie Clark, a high school Spanish teacher in the Milwaukee Public School system was at Milwaukee’s annual Laborfest celebration:
“This is a great family friendly event to celebrate working people. We come every year but it is even more important this year that we stand strong and stand together. Teachers are here and will continue to put their students first and do what’s best for the education of our state’s children.”
The streets of Wausau were packed with thousands of parade watchers as the Marathon County Labor Council hosted the annual Wausau parade. Wisconsin State AFL-CIO Phil Neuenfeldt and President of the Wisconsin Professional Fire Fighters Association, Mahlon Mitchell, were in Wausau to march alongside their brothers and sisters in the Northwoods. Local children dressed up in Halloween costumes for the annual costume contest.
In downtown Milwaukee an estimated 10,000 marched along Wisconsin Avenue to the Summerfest grounds at Maier Festival Park. Like many Labor Day celebrations across the state brats, hotdogs and union made beer were plentiful. Wisconsin State AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Stephanie Bloomingdale was in attendance with her two sons.
In Eau Claire union and community members held a solidarity walk before the annual Labor Day picnic at Phoenix Park. The solidarity march began from 5 different locations and came together at the park. Canned goods and non-perishables were collected for the area’s hungry in order to give back to the community.
Politics were on display this year as many parade marchers held Blue Fist "Stand with Wisconsin," “Support Middle Class Workers,” “I am a teacher,” “Recall Walker,” “I Love my Public Schools,” and “Jobs Now” signs and t-shirts. These messages reflect the poor choices Gov. Walker and Republican politicians have made to scapegoat middle class workers for an economic crisis they did not create.
Moving forward one thing is clear: Wisconsinites want politicians to put politics aside and focus on creating and sustaining family-supporting jobs for our middle class.
To learn about the history of Labor Day, visit: http://www.dol.gov/opa/aboutdol/laborday.htm
The Fond du Lac County Labor Council; the Fox Valley Area Labor Council; the Greater West Central Area Labor Council; the Greater Green Bay Area Labor Council; the Kenosha AFL-CIO Central Labor Council; the Marathon County Central Labor Council; the Marinette Central Labor Council; the Milwaukee Area Labor Council; the Racine AFL-CIO Council; the Rock County Central Labor Council; the South
Central Federation of Labor; the Western Wisconsin AFL-CIO; the Winnebago County Labor Council; and the Wood County Central Labor Council each hosted local Labor Day events.
For pictures of statewide Labor Day events visit the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO Labor Day 2011 collection by clicking here.