Last night in Madison was amazing. The noon rallies protesting Scott Walker's union-busting bill have drawn the largest crowds each day, but the protests are going on 24/7. I wish everyone across the country could be here to see this.
Our state capitol, the "People's House", has been completely taken over by the people. In a building where signs on sticks were enough to get you thrown out just a week ago, not only were signs on sticks in abundance, but also signs taped to the walls, plastered onto the marble pillars and hung from the railings. Some made political statements, while others directed people to rooms where union meetings, phone banks and strategy sessions were being held.
All evening the roar inside was astounding. People were beating drums and dancing in the Capitol rotunda, in the center of the building. Spontaneous speeches by high school students and workers were given by bullhorn. And when a parade of firefighters (who would be exempt from the bill) entered the building in solidarity, complete with drums and bagpipes, the cheers were absolutely deafening.
Local businesses have been coming out to offer free food, water and soda to the protesters. After attending a long, hot, standing-room-only membership meeting for my union held in one of the Capitol's hearing rooms, I was really grateful when a couple of strangers showed up with a cartful of food and water. Folks have also brought in garbage bags and are working together to clean up litter in the building. People are helping people and looking out for each other - it's beautiful.
Yesterday the Democratic members of the State Assembly went back to holding hearings so that members of the public could voice their concerns. These hearings have now been ongoing, with a couple of short interruptions, for over three days straight. I'm sure our State Senators would be participating as well, but they are all holed up in Illinois (where WI state troopers can't reach them) boycotting the vote on the bill.
Thousands of people were camped out in the Capitol last night, lying on blankets and sleeping bags along all the hallways of the building. And it wasn't just students and young workers, either - elderly folks too were sleeping in chairs and curled up on the floor. The drum circle in the Capitol rotunda respectfully shut down at midnight, decreasing the noise level enough so that people could rest.
I have never seen anything like what is happening in Wisconsin right now. Our state capitol, previously so cold and somber, has become a vibrant, raucous celebration of popular resistance.
This is what happens when you try to hijack the "People's House", Scott Walker. We the people move in and take it back.