Nearly 70,000 protesters participate in rally at Wisconsin Capitol

[jefferson_dem]

Nearly 70,000 protesters participate in rally at Capitol
SANDY CULLEN |



For a second straight Saturday, tens of thousands of protesters have filled the streets around the state Capitol in what organizers hope will be the largest day yet in the continuing struggle to stop Gov. Scott Walker's plan to essentially end collective bargaining rights for most public employees.

Madison police spokesman Joel DeSpain said the number of protesters around the Capitol is on the scale of last Saturday's peak crowd of an estimated 68,000 and could swell even more for a 3 p.m. rally.

"We've had no problems," DeSpain said, adding that officers are again committed to keeping the Square "safe for democracy."

Law enforcement officers said they are only letting people into the Capitol as others exit.

In addition to the protest here, unions are calling on people across the country to rally at their statehouses to show support for Wisconsin workers and opposition to efforts to take away collective bargaining rights here and in other states.

In Madison, folk singer Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul & Mary fame was expected to perform at 2 p.m., and actor Bradley Whitford, a Wisconsin native, is scheduled to speak at the 3 p.m. rally, giving demonstrators here a boost of star power.

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http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/article_19c56fb6-41d7-11e0-820b-001cc4c03286.html

[steve2470]

1. k&r nt

[bluestateguy]

2. No, no We're supposed to lie and say it was 1.2 million people

That's the teabagger way.

[RKP5637]

3. On CNN (Don Lemon) just said it was now 100,000. No idea, just repeating

what I just heard now. Hope so.

[mzteris]

4. that pic is from early this morning.

it got bigger - WAY bigger.

And snow is coming down fast and furious.

I finally had to go because I couldn't feel my legs anymore. Did I mention it's about 14 degrees??

[RKP5637]

5. That shows an incredible commitment!!! We are soooo lucky to have you and others

willing to make this commitment to help so many people. Thank you!!!
:) :grouphug: :yourock: :yourock: :yourock:

[CTyankee]

9. Stay warm, mzteris, so you can be well to report another day!

[ChiciB1]

6. Please Keep Up The Fantastic Work... From A Union Family Way Down

here in Florida!! Sending you Some SUNSHINE LOVE!!

This is a "right to work" state and UNIONS are SPARSE, but my husband was lucky enough to have worked for one of the Corporations that is Unionized!

[senseandsensibility]

7. k and r

Very moving pictures.

[CTyankee]

8. The whole world is watching!

[elocs]

10. I was there this morning, but left at about 3. I did hear Peter Yarrow.

I have no idea how they determine crowd size because I had no idea other than there were lots of people there peacefully protesting. Kids, young people, college aged, middle aged, boomers, and retirees. Regular, working class people of all sizes and shapes.

Ironically, the guy who was in front of me in line waiting for the shuttle from the East Towne Mall and who stood next to me on the bus(I was the last one on and was standing by the front steps, hanging on for life) sat next to me hours later on our return. What were the odds of that?

[earth mom]

11. Another thread said 100K...

:woohoo: