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Al Alt, a teacher for 40 years, said, "We've had bargaining for 50 years (actually 75), and (Walker) wants to end it in a week." For two weeks, thousands protested peacefully, hundreds camping out every night in hallways, stairwells, and public areas of the Capitol.
Battle lines are now drawn after state officials said they'd be evicted Sunday afternoon at 4PM. Claiming health and safety issues, it's a ruse to weaken resistance and push for passage of Walker's anti-labor bill. Union officials and protesters object, saying conflict may result.
Wisconsin's Professional Police Association (WPPA) head Jim Palmer called on police to join the sleep-in, saying:
"As has been reported in the media, the protesters are cleaning up after themselves and have not caused any problems. The fact of the matter is that Wisconsin's law enforcement community opposes Governor Walker's effort to eliminate most union activity in this state, and we implore him to not do anything to increase the risk to officers and the public....Law enforcement officers know the difference between right and wrong, and (Walker's) attempt to eliminate the collective voice of Wisconsin's devoted public employees is wrong. That is why we have stood with our fellow employees each day and why we will be sleeping among them" overnight.
On February 27, Palmer said authorities were backing away from their eviction plan, saying, "Now it sounds like they are going to let people stay." Protesters will only be asked for "voluntary compliance." Some said if evictions happen, they'll circle the Capitol holding hands.
Prior to Palmer's Sunday announcement, BailOutPeople.org's web site headlined, "The Whole World is Watching! The Capitol Belongs to the People!" They build it. They paid for it. They deserve support from everyone. Maintaining pressure is essential, inside and outside the building, across the state and country. It's not just a Wisconsin issue. It's a national and worldwide one - freedom or fascism, global Walkers v. working people everywhere, struggling for justice against dark forces wanting greater empowerment and enrichment at their expense.
On February 24, the Social Justice & Labor Center headlined, "Why Wisconsin matters in New York, and throughout organized labor," saying:
"Unionists from across the nation have come out in force to support our colleagues in Wisconsin, as well as those in Idaho, Indiana, New Jersey, Ohio and Tennessee. Other states are facing unprecedented threats as well. And New York state is not exempt."
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