Steve Herr attended the protests in Madison last spring. He recounts being in the rotunda, and taking the microphone to speak to the crowd:
Everyone got very silent when I told them I was a small business owner. People thought "Which side is this guy on?" But their fears were allayed when I continued:
"I stand with you because I know that we need to have a middle class that thrives. Scott Walker is trying to tear the middle class apart, but this makes no sense for the economy. If you thrive, we all thrive: our children, our schools, our communities, our state and our country. If the middle class thrives, my small business thrives!"
Steve's business, Glacier State Distribution Services, happens to own a few railcars. They were getting rusty, and in need of fresh paint. Worried that energy of "the movement" was getting diffused, Steve thought it would be cool to use a rail car as a traveling poster. Since they need painting anyway, why not paint them with beautiful blue agitprop messages of solidarity, making them a moving billboard?
"It takes a lot to laugh, it takes a train to cry..."
When Steve approached local AFL-CIO leaders, they loved the idea. They eagerly allowed use of their fist logo and even offered volunteer help. Steve gathered up some paint and stencils, the union guys got some skilled workers, and they've been working in the Kenosha rail yard for the last week on the project. The Solidarity Rail will be leaving the yard next Monday.
"This train is bound for glory, this train..."
It will travel between here and Detroit, Kansas City and even as far north as Saskatchewan as it picks up salt for winter roads. "I just wanted to show my solidarity," said Steve, "And do my part."
"This old train I ride on is one thousand railcars long..."
When you are stopped at a railroad grade and see The Solidarity Rail rumbling by, give a honk and high five. This is what makes America great: a good idea, a sense of purpose greater than oneself, a respect for the labor of others, and ..............trains!