Yesterday started with pouring rain which kept up for hours and made the planned Overpass Light Brigade action doubtful. However, the clouds ultimately poured out all their water and the rain stopped, replaced by an on again off again drizzle and we were "on" for sunset and into the night.
We ultimately had enough holders to display to both directions of traffic on I-43 on the north side of Milwaukee.
Northbound traffic saw this:
Southbound traffic saw this:
Plenty of friendly cars beeping out their approval and some truckers honking for democracy, too. Of course, there was the obligatory Walker backer rolling down the window and screaming an obscenity, but only one. And then there were visitors to the pedestrian bridge stopping to chat and give us their verbal support and appreciation.
Join me below for more.
Noise of rain who normally does these pictoral displays for you (and provided the pictures along with the "cut and paste" code for an aging tech-confuddled baby boomer) though it would be nice to hear a story from a "holder" (one who holds the signs).
Noise of rain and badscience do all the hard work: making and maintaining the actual lighted signs, scoping out pedestrian overpasses, selecting a good spot, emailing "holders" to collect a group that will be available, crafting the message based on the number of holders available, carting the signs to the overpass, organizing the holders that show up, spacing the holders (they use walkie talkies - one from the ground and the other on the bridge), scramble to get to a good spot to take the pictures and video. Makes me tired just typing all of that.
Members of the Cavalry (holders) just show up, get their letter, hold the letter on the bridge, and wave to the nice people driving on the freeway.
A little bit closer with the zoom:
The excellent spacing was via walkie talkie to make sure the message was nice and readable. It's hard to tell from the bridge, but noiseofrain on the ground and badscience on the bridge coordinated the spacing until it was perfect.
We've been spoiled a bit with our spring and summer like weather, so last nights very damp cold came as a nasty surprise. The last few actions have been done in spring/summmer like conditions which saw us shedding our normal heavy coats and winter gear for less bulky outerwear with no gloves or hats. We looked like people again rather than arctic survivalists.
During the winter we were prepared for it. Layers of clothing, long underwear, several pairs of socks, hats, warm gloves, hand warmers, scarves, etc. weren't just nice, they were necessary. It's a whole lot colder on top of an overpass than it is on the ground because you're exposed to all the elements with no houses or trees to block the wind or shelter you.
And the traffic below creates more turbulent air, particularly semis that pass beneath your feet. A group of 4 semis which were grouped together last night created so much turbulence, it nearly knocked my letter out of my hand. Holders on either side of me helped to get control of things and held my sign while I retrieved the hat that got blown off my head by the rush of turbulence.
The reward always trumps the hassles. Knowing that we're keeping the recall message front and center for all to see (as good as paid for ads IMHO), feeling the public appreciation of grassroots activism, and the collective support we give each other keeps us coming and our numbers growing. Hearing the car horns beeping out messages of solidarity is joyous with waves coming from all the holders. Last night we had it in stereo from both the northbound and southbound traffic - a double pleasure. Neighbors in the area saw us from their homes and stopped by to see us and express their appreciation for what we were doing.
Walker and his GOP buddies have big donors and plenty of money for paid media and slick, professional mailers. They have a huge RW echo chamber to legitimize and magnify their propaganda and lies. They rely on lazy media to create uninformed citizens that will believe the empty promises they deliver in smiling, friendly looking ads. They have big donors with massive ad buys to pummel their opponents with distortions and lies.
We've got us. People. Boots on the ground. Creativity. Humor. A sense of fairness and justice. We also have an understanding of the power of the forces we're up against.
So I went out last night and held a K and was proud to do it. Poison kitchen
came with homemade cookies (yum!). I think I saw Marko the Werelyx, too, holding a letter. Any other Kossacks there, please let me know in the comments or by Kosmail so I can add you (I had a day long headache yesterday so I wasn't as social as I usually am).
We'll be out there next time, too, with a smile and a wave. Give us a few beeps on the horn if you see us out there.
This is what Democracy feels like!