I know it's a little belated, but I just got back from Madison and wanted to post about what I saw. Lots of pictures, some anecdotes, including our random encounter with Mayor Dave, and more. I hope you enjoy it half as much as I enjoyed being there.
First, I wanted to include a video. Over the last couple weekends, this video best represents the vibe. Check it out!
And away we go...
Ah, we meet again...
Indeed.
There was a really fancy blend of coffee...
Breakfast...
Food!
First aid...
*
One of the things that was cool was seeing how quickly the creativity came out in the new signs. After Faux News used the much-talked-about footage of California protests from 1992 I believe which showed palm trees in the background during a "report" on the "mobs" in Madison, the palm trees were in full effect:
After Republican Senator Glenn Grothman referred to the protesters as "slobs" during an interview on MSNBC with Lawrence O'Donnell, the signs with a reference were all over the place.
In fact, we came across "Smithy's Slobsmith Capitol Keys"
They were making and giving out "capitol keys" that read: "Our House 3.5.11"
A mom and daughter...
The whole world is watching
Into the Capitol...
The line..and messages of solidarity in the windows.
Messages on the door left when the doors were closed to the public
Snakes wouldn't have been the *first thing I would have thought they would want to prevent people from bringing in?
Lots of security.
Students who had traveled from Racine
Nurses...
Medical students...this medical student gave a great speech, all about the opportunities he had been given and how it was right to stand up for those opportunities for others--public education, Badgercare, etc..the place erupted at his last line: "But I'm glad Scott Walker chose to push this agenda here--because obviously he hasn't figured out, if you stick your head in a Badger hole, you better be ready for a fight!"
Multiple generations...
The good thing was that this flyer had all the tabs torn off...
The better was that all of them did...take action! There were 8 in total, and no info tabs left.
Is Wu-tang for the children? Hmmm.
Honest Abe
And back out again...
Still a pretty decent crowd at each of the rallies...
The President of the Wisconsin Firefighters. He gave a passionate speech, the best part of which was when he led the crowd in a loud call and response. "When someone is in trouble, I show up, and we do. When the teachers are in trouble, I do...WE DO! When the electricians are in trouble, I do...WE DO! When the nurses are in trouble, I do...WE DO!" It was pretty awesome because sometimes it can be difficult to explain to one occupation why they should help out when another occupation is in trouble, how it benefits all, how an injury to one is an injury to all. But he nailed it. We were pumped.
*Ok, a quick note on kids: It's great to see kids at rallies. But, at other rallies I have been to or seen footage of, sometimes kids have signs that are way over their heads (and I don't mean physically), and regardless of intent I can't help but to have the word "indoctrination" popped into my head. But on the other hand, there are some kids with signs that even though they are little minis, I think they might just understand...
I'm pretty sure she knows what "I love my teachers" means.
"Shots hurt, but this bill hurts more. Ouch! Yow!" (They were marching behind the medical students, you can see a doctor in the background.)
If you've ever played "Angry Birds," you'll appreciate this one. "Angry Birds Kids" and "Angry Birds Voters" with Walker guarding the eggs in a Capitol shaped castle and the birds with signs actually seen at the Cap...
Bad Walker, bad!
Mixed feelings about this one. But hey, I guess it takes a big person to admit it.
More outside agitators.
Hm. I'm gonna go with...putz!
The Letter Carriers were out in force on Sunday...
Last weekend, I didn't hear "general strike" much if at all. This weekend, it was in the air.
***
Oh yeah, I almost forgot. Saturday night we went to a bar called the Union Tavern House, and sat down to have a drink. A couple older teachers came and sat next to us, and we struck up a conversation. At one point, one of them, Alice, said "Hey, you know, that's the mayor over there, Mayor Dave." We asked if she thought it'd be ok to go chat and she said of course. Apparently she served on a committee of some sort for him, so she introduced us. We said to him, "Mayor, we just wanted to make you aware that we're outside agitators, from Chicago and New York." He laughed and said, "Welcome to Madison." We got to ask him a bunch of questions. I told him that I had an idea and had read a thing or two, but asked him person to person, what it was really like/how he felt when he heard the fake phone call and Walker talking about planting violent protesters. Mayor Dave instantly said he was appalled and that it was unbelievable. He said, "In fact, I sent a letter the same day asking 'Who was involved in these discussions, what were the discussions, and why were they rejected for political and not moral reasons?' ... Of course, I have yet to hear back."
I have the feeling he would have sat and answered questions from us all night, but we didn't want to be rude so we thanked him for his time and went back to our Wisconsin beers. All in all, pretty cool.
***
The final home stretch...in closing:
I mean, let's certainly hope so...
Thank you so much Wisconsin. Please keep up the fight, don't quit. It would be heartbreaking.
I also did a diary about last week which you can check out here, if you're interested. Thanks for checking this one out! Solidarity...
Requisite Update: I slammed my hand on the alarm clock that started buzzing at 6:30am and puttered around, getting ready for work. I thought I'd see if there were any new comments, and as I'm rubbing the sleep out of my eyes and debating where I'll get my coffee, I see that the diary is on the Rec List. At the very little bottom, hanging on, but on the Rec List nonetheless. Thank you so much! This is all about the movement.