Groups rally in St. Paul to support Wis. workers

[steve2470]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-mn-rallyforworkers,0,4586627.story

ST. PAUL, Minn. — About 1,000 protesters chanted and held pro-union signs outside the Minnesota Capitol on Saturday to rally against the Wisconsin governor's plan to strip most public workers of almost all their collective bargaining rights.

The gathering was among at least 50 rallies scheduled nationwide to support public workers and protest legislation that critics believe are aimed at weakening unions.

Covered in layers of coats, scarves, hats and gloves amid frigid temperature and snow, rally goers in St. Paul chanted "Workers' rights are human rights" and waved signs that read "United we bargain, divided we beg" or "Save the American dream."

"The right to collectively bargain is an American right," Eliot Seide, executive director of AFSCME Council 5, told the crowd as he introduced speakers. "You can't have American democracy if you don't have a strong trade union movement."

[Lifelong Protester]

1. thank you city of my birth!!

I know you guys are all right!