Went to the rally by the State of Illinois Bldg - 100 W. Randolph in downtown Chicago. There was a large crowd that grew bigger as the rally got going. Mainstream news put the number under a thousand but at the height of the rally when US Senator Dick Durban spoke there could have been 2000 people in attendance. He gave a great speech and so did various labor leaders for across that state all pledging solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Wisconsin. I put together a video of the rally and posting Durban's speech and some of my favorite signs. No tea partiers in sight.
“What’s at stake in Wisconsin is a basic concept of American liberty and freedom,” Durbin said, drawing applause and roars from the crowd. And Durbin made sure the Democratic senators — all of whom, like Taylor, fled Wisconsin to deprive the Republican-majority Senate of the quorum it needs to vote on Walker’s proposed budget — knew they are “always welcome in Illinois.”
Chicagoans show support for Wis. protesters
"Ya'll ready to save the American dream. Then why don't you scream so loud that they can hear you all the way in Madison, Wisconsin," said William McNary, Citizen Action Illinois.
"Governor Walker's agenda in Wisconsin goes way beyond the budget. He's trying to destroy a basic American right," said U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., at Saturday's rally.
"The Koch brothers are determined to have a world without unions where people are left defenseless and working people have no voice," said Roberta Lynch, AFSCME Local 31.
A vote can only happen if at least one of the Democratic senators returns to create a quorum for a vote, and during a visit to Operation Push, Democratic Wisconsin State Sen. Lena Taylor says it will not be her.
"We believe in protecting the rights of people. His agenda is wrong for Wisconsin and we're standing with the people," Taylor said.
http://abclocal.go.com/...
Wisconsin Dem vows to fight GOP plan as union supporters rally here
Union workers and supporters ignored wintry weather Saturday as they rallied downtown to protest efforts by Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker to strip most public employees in that state of their collective bargaining rights.
“There’s a ripple effect that worries me,” said Beck, a union member for nearly 35 years. “Collective bargaining has brought us this far. I put my kids through college and make a decent living because I’m in a union.”
“I think it’s important to stand by union members regardless of what state they’re in,” said Mike Murray, an English teacher at Stagg High School in Palos Hills, who attended the protest with his wife, Tanja, and their two young daughters. “They’re going to be fighting the same fight that we are. This is kind of a watershed moment for everybody nationwide.”
http://www.suntimes.com/...
some photos are from
Health Care for America Now - Illinois
http://www.facebook.com/...
more pics at
http://www.flickr.com/...
Solidarity With Wisconsin Chicago Rally Feb 26, 2011 (Raw Video 1)
http://www.youtube.com/...
Solidarity With Wisconsin Chicago Rally Feb 26, 2011 (Raw Video 2)
http://www.youtube.com/...
Solidarity With Wisconsin Chicago Rally Feb 26, 2011 (Raw Video 3)
http://www.youtube.com/...
Solidarity With Wisconsin Chicago Rally Feb 26, 2011 (Raw Video 4)
http://www.youtube.com/...
cross posted
http://www.substancenews.net
Updated by Hyde Park Johnny at Sun Feb 27, 2011, 12:51:00 AM
Solidarity Forever - Chicago Rally Feb. 26, 2011
