I was going to try and be funny and write something pithy about looking for outside agitators at today's rally...that all changed when things got moving downtown. I have never seen a sea of humanity like the one I saw today. Everyone of them dedicated to doing the right thing for Wisconsin and the Nation as whole, both morally and ethically.
I saw teachers who made protest signs out of the pink slips they received last week, I saw parents, children, policemen, firefighters, teamsters and any other profession, union and non-union, you can think of on the Capitol Square today...and I did not even stay for the main rally (Honestly, after four hours, I was freezing).
Below the fold will be some selected photos of today's rally with commentary, I will post a link for you to see all of the photos...today was an amazing experience.
OK, i will still take some jabs at Scott Walker's outside agitator comments...
I thought I had written his name down, but I did not...just one of the many police officers supporting workers...and he is a Madison Police Officer...
I just liked this sign on the Capitol grounds.
The prison guards were the first group to march around the square today, the first of many.
I liked this sign...I teach criminals to respect your rights
This is John and Deb, they are from Mauston...and are not outside agitators.
This is Katie, she is a Teacher in Sauk Prairie...not an outside agitator
This is Kathy, she teaches in Waterford...not an outside agitator
This is David, from Poplar...he is an In-State Agitator...and quite proud of it.
This is Joel, Tyler and Gary, from the Sheyboygan Fire Department...not outside agitators.
Some people...are just damn creative...
City of Madison workers...
Steve and Heather, Steve works for the City of Madison Streets department.
This is Bruce from Middleton...not an outside agitator
Former Madison Mayor Paul Soglin...who is currently running for Mayor again...so not an outside agitator...
TEAMSTERS! My Dad was a Teamster, as many of you have read about in previous diaries.
I forgot to write down the names of these gentlemen, it is a father and son...then gentleman on the right is in the same local my Dad was in, Teamsters Local 695.
This is Tanya, high school friend and member of AFSCME local 60
Can you guess which offices belong to the Democratic Senators and Assemblymen?
Just a good photo
I chased this guy around the square four times trying to get a photo of his sign.
The famous Ian's Pizza
My Friend Dean...he recently lost his job as the company he worked for moved to a right to work state
Finally, an outside agitator...this is Eljeer, from New York...Actually, he was a really nice guy and I had a nice conversation with him.
I was trying to get a photo of their Dropkick Murphy's shirts...
It was just an endless stream of people...with no breaks in the crowd.
Protest sign from a teacher made up of his pink slip...
Madison Teachers Inc. The teachers union in Madison...you should have heard the cheers when they marched.
Me...and it is COLD!!!
For all of the photos I took today...please go to Awestruck - Protest for Workers Rights, February 26th, 2011
Updated by Kodiak54 at Sat Feb 26, 2011, 05:40:15 PM
Wow...I run to Farm and Fleet to get dog food and I end up on the Rec list...Thank you all...Your support for those of us in Wisconsin is amazing!
Updated by Kodiak54 at Sun Feb 27, 2011, 08:22:25 AM
Please do me a favor...go to YouTube and dislike this video...it is stirring up the tea party crowd. The protesters are being extremely respectful inside the Capitol, this video was made with the sole intent to cause trouble!
http://www.youtube.com/...
