Chicagoans Show Solidarity For Workers in Wisconsin
By aaroncynic in News on Feb 28, 2011 2:05PM
On Saturday, several hundred demonstrators rallied at the Thompson Center to show solidarity with those who have been demonstrating in Wisconsin over Gov. Scott Walker's proposed budget that will strip the collective bargaining rights of unions. The rally was one of many across the country, with demonstrations held in all 50 states. The Chicago Tribune reports Senator Dick Durbin spoke at the Thompson Center, saying that Gov. Walker began a national crusade against unions and that “what's at stake in Wisconsin is the basic concept of liberty and freedom.”
Back in Madison, some 70,000 people rallied on Saturday and hundreds of off duty police officers joined the protesters. Demonstrators have continued to occupy the capitol building and will not be forced to leave. Meanwhile, the AWOL Wisconsin Democrats continue to remain here in Illinois. Mike Browne, a spokesman for Democratic state senate minority leader Mark Miller told Reuters “I think obviously people would like to move forward with this and find an agreement that protects workers' rights and balances the budget.”