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Wisconsin union protests.

Discussion in 'Anarchism and radical activism' started by JesusCrust, Feb 21, 2011.

  1. JesusCrust

    JesusCrust Experienced Member Experienced member Forum Member


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    Apr 17, 2010
     
    There may already be a thread on this, because I know someone mentioned this somewhere, but I think it was off topic in a different thread. If not, here's a new thread for this exclusively.

    As many of us may already know there are students and workers unions holding protests at the state capital in Wisconsin, US, because Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker's assault on unions trying to outlaw them in his state.

    So far there has been a mass occupations of state building by students and labor unions, and today a counter protest by tea parties made themselves apparent, though they were low in numbers.

    Indymedia
    http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2011/0 ... 672608.php

    ANSWER coalition
    http://www.answercoalition.org/national ... labor.html
     

  2. JesusCrust

    JesusCrust Experienced Member Experienced member Forum Member


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    Also, democratic representatives are protesting the bill by leaving the state, because state bills cannot be voted on if reps are out of state.

    Support from others nationwide.
    http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/ ... 03286.html

    Every little bit helps.

    If the links don't work...
    From Indymedia:

    Tea Party Stooges Join Wisconsin Protests - by Stephen Lendman

    It was reminiscent of November 22, 2000 Florida, outside the Miami-Dade County Canvassing Board offices when dozens of imported Bush-Cheney ruffians rampaged through Miami's County Hall, disrupting the recount of about 10,000 undervotes, ballots with no presidential choice registered.

    They assaulted Democrat party representatives, near rioted, and succeeded in halting the process. As a result, hundreds of Gore-Lieberman votes weren't counted in largely Democrat Dade County.

    Fraud, intimidation and ties to big money infest US politics. Washington's criminal class is bipartisan, but Republicans are especially brazen. Wisconsin's Governor Scott Walker matches the worst of his Capitol Hill counterparts. Likely he's been chosen for his role and was directed by party bosses to wage open warfare on labor rights, the same scheme playing out across America, including by Democrats, many as extremist as Republicans at a time working people are being hammered relentlessly.

    Target one is America's middle class, headed for extinction by decades of wealth shifts to super-rich elites, millions of high-pay/good benefit jobs offshored to cheap labor markets, and unions earmarked for elimination - policies Washington's duopoly endorses.

    Outside the beltway, Wisconsin is ground zero, but anger is spreading and may erupt anywhere at a time workers are struggling to save hard-won labor rights, targeted for elimination. As Wisconsin goes, so goes America perhaps.

    The stakes are that high. Bipartisan complicity is involved. So are union bosses tied to corporate interests against their own rank and file, concerned only for their own welfare and self-enrichment. For decades, they betrayed their loyal members, functioning as wealth and power instruments, not legitimate labor leaders the way early organizers envisioned.

    Reports from the Scene

    On February 20, Milwaukee's Journal Sentinel headlined, "Biggest protests yet as pro-Walker side, larger union crowd meet peacefully." Well, mostly. One Tea Party announcement said: "bring cleaning supplies to clean up the pigsty the liberal union goons left behind at OUR house."

    Overwhelmingly against them were teachers, students, police, firemen, other public service workers, and many private sector ones, knowing their own rights are at stake.

    Against them were pro-Walker supporters brought in by influential extremist groups like Americans for Prosperity, the billionaire Koch brothers (David and Charles), Freedom Works (chaired by former Republican House majority leader Dick Armey), and other right-wing organizations, with America's major media providing anti-worker coverage.

    According to Media Matters, right-wing media, especially TV, "characterized the protests as 'riots' and 'uprisings' and attacked the protesters as 'thugs' who could 'get violent.' " In fact, they're working class Americans, teachers, professors, students, police, firefighters, nurses, and supportive spouses, united in solidarity for decent jobs, a living wage, essential benefits, and a secure retirement. Throughout days of protests, they've been resolute and peaceful, showing remarkable restraint despite an all-out assault on their rights.

    Walker wants to double their out-of-pocket contributions to healthcare and pensions, amounting to an eight to 20% haircut by most estimates. Most disturbing, however, would be loss of collective bargaining rights, indexing pay raises to the grossly understated CPI index, and giving Walker emergency powers to fire workers unilaterally.

    On February 19, Milwaukee's Journal Sentinel reported "no political compromise in sight," writers Bill Glauber and Don Walker headlining, "Struggle could change the way government does business with its employees," saying:

    At issue is "nothing less than a defining moment for organized labor in America." It's a national battle pitting rank and file workers against politicians, corrupt union bosses, and big money, "an epic struggle" to save hard-won worker rights on the chopping block for elimination.

    Wisconsin's Historic Significance

    Ironically, Wisconsin is AFSCME's birthplace - the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, representing a diverse group of 1.6 million public employees.

    It's also where government workers, in 1959, first gained collective bargaining rights, three years before federal ones. Today's conditions are far different. States across the country claim budget shortfalls require painful choices on the backs of working people, not elitists getting tax cuts.

    As a result, workforces are being slashed and benefits cut, including wages, healthcare, Medicaid and other help for the nation's poor. Everything's up for grabs for reductions or elimination in a ruthless race to the bottom at a time America's super-rich get more than ever, thanks to bipartisan policies favoring them at the expense of most people losing out.

    According to Cornell University Labor Studies Professor Richard Hurd:

    "Attempting to dramatically change the laws and the way collective bargaining is handled will be noticed in Wisconsin. It's happening there. It's happening in Ohio. Even in New York" with a Democrat governor and legislature. "This is the first time we've seen such a widespread thing to seek concessionary bargaining in the public sector (to) roll back" important rights.

    As a result, they're literally on the line. At stake is losing them entirely with Walker spearheading the assault, a Republican-chosen attack dog.

    On February 19, New York Times writers Monica Davey and AG Sulzberger (son of Times publisher Arthur Punch Sulzberger, Jr.) said "Republicans waited in frustration, Democratic senators showed no inclination to return and Mr. Walker put off the release of his budget proposal (until March 1), with no end to the battle in sight."

    In a separate article, Davey headlined, "For Wisconsin Governor, Battle Was Long Coming," saying:

    Angry protesters demand his recall, "calling him a bully and likening him to Scrooge, Hosni Mubarak, even Hitler. (He's) become a national figure," a lightening-rod, "the man who set off a storm of protest, now spreading to other states..."

    "Critics and supporters alike say Mr. Walker has never strayed from his (political) approach....pressing for austerity, and never blinking or apologizing for his lightening-rod proposals."

    He's unabashedly pro-business, anti-labor, and, like all politicians, beholden to big money backers. According to Democrat Senator Chris Larson:

    "Unions have always been his pinata, over and over. And this time I think he's trying to out-right-wing the right wing on his way to the next lily pad."

    Unfazed, Walker said he's "not going to be intimidated, particularly by people from other places." Within days of taking office, he hung a sign on his office doorknob saying: "Wisconsin is open for business," meaning he's brazenly pro-business/anti-labor.

    Straightaway, he and state lawmakers passed $117 million in mostly business tax breaks, exacerbating state budget problems. Moreover, according to Democrat party spokesman Graeme Zielinski:

    He's "a hard-right partisan who does not negotiate, does not compromise. He is totally modeled after a slash-and-burn, scorched-earth approach that has never existed here before."

    Clearly he was chosen for his role to ram through harshness to be replicated nationally. Last fall he was preparing. Before taking office, he urged Republican lawmakers not to approve new lame duck session public workers contracts. Once governor, he wanted "maximum flexibility" to force passage of anti-labor measures. Now he's got it, arrogantly and dismissively, saying:

    "Months from now, when this is is enacted and people realize it's not the end of the world, not all, but I think the vast majority, including the vast majority of the public employees, will realize this was not nearly as bad as they thought it was going to be. And we'll get back to work in the Capitol."

    Popular Anger Perhaps to Spread Nationally

    Opposing him are tens of thousands of committed angry workers, teachers and students, university ones facing a 20% tuition hike, unaffordable for many. Ground zero remains the capitol rotunda, resonating chants, drumbeats, banners and posters showing slogans including: "Tax the Rich." "Wisconsin workers: unite or die," and "United we Stay" combined with "Hell no, we won't go," "Kill the Bill" chants.

    One worker spoke for many, saying "Walker wants to turn Wisconsin into" WalMart. Another added, "If they cut our pay further, I would qualify for BadgerCare (health insurance for low income, uninsured families with children), food assistance and home heating assistance." Diluting them ahead is planned, perhaps eliminating them in future cost-cutting. It's happening elsewhere - in California, New York, Michigan, Illinois, and many other states nationally, one round of cuts begetting others in a race to the bottom war on workers.

    Their sole defense is resolute unified resistance through protests, strikes, and other actions, hanging tough, staying the course, no matter the long odds against them. The alternative is too grim to imagine, a long march to serfdom, what Walker et al have in mind.

    Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago and can be reached at lendmanstephen [at] sbcglobal.net. Also visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com and listen to cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network Thursdays at 10AM US Central time and Saturdays and Sundays at noon. All programs are archived for easy listening.

    http://www.progressiveradionetwork.com/ ... news-hour/.
    http://sjlendman.blogspot.com
     
  3. JackNegativity

    JackNegativity Experienced Member Uploader Experienced member Forum Member


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    I have a feeling if this escalates somebody is going to take a shot at this dude.
     
  4. butcher

    butcher Experienced Member Uploader Experienced member Forum Member


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    this is a rather big deal, right?
    Wildcats and now ppl calling for a general strike? In the US? Exciting
     
  5. Rabbit

    Rabbit Experienced Member Experienced member Forum Member


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    Watched the Daily Show the other day for the segment about this (you can find it online). It really pissed me off. Jon Stewart made numerous direct comparisons between the Wisconsin protesters and the Tea Party, which is ridiculous. Also, he dismissed out of hand comparisons between Wisconsin and the Middle East, and I'm sure you've all seen the picture from Tahrir Square with a sign that says "Solidarity with Wisconsin."

    The one interesting point he brought up is that this fucker was elected with a 52% majority. Seems like a pretty good argument for voting for the lesser of two evils, on the off chance that your vote counts.
     
  6. butcher

    butcher Experienced Member Uploader Experienced member Forum Member


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    also this:

    sauce (via libcom) and vid there too...
     
  7. butcher

    butcher Experienced Member Uploader Experienced member Forum Member


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  8. JesusCrust

    JesusCrust Experienced Member Experienced member Forum Member


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    I think what America needs right now are more solidarity marches and rallys. For those in Wisconsin, Egypt, Libya Tunisia, etc.

    There's people from Egypt ordering pizzas for protestors in Wisconsin. Somethings happening world wide right now. An afterglow of a revolution, and the reminder that people power can accomplish anything, and everybody's jumping on it. Makes me feel warm on the inside.
     
  9. hazmatt

    hazmatt New Member New Member


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    Feb 23, 2011
     
    i feel it too man. i hope it does.
    one thing that always baffels me is the working people on the right, tea partiers and such. don't they understand that this is a battle for their rights? the military/industrial complex has done a wonderful job of brainwashing the population. but, i too feel that the time for their lies it at an end!

    life will prevail
     
  10. JesusCrust

    JesusCrust Experienced Member Experienced member Forum Member


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  11. punkmar77

    punkmar77 Experienced Member Uploader Experienced member


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    ‘Use live ammunition’ against Wisconsin protesters, Indiana official says. :@

    Update (3:15 pm ET): Indiana deputy attorney general loses job

    The Indiana Attorney General's office announced Wednesday that the deputy attorney general who called for Wisconsin riot police to use deadly force on protesters is no longer employed by the agency, according to WISH.

    Update (2:30 pm ET): Indiana official delete personal blog

    An Indiana deputy attorney general who called for Wisconsin riot police to use "live ammunition" on protesters has deleted his personal blog.

    Jeff Cox had claimed that Mother Jones would try to "silence" him.

    Original report continues below...

    One official in Indiana suggested over the weekend that riot police should use deadly force on those protesting Wisconsin Republican Gov. Scott Walker's plan to strip unions of their rights.

    A Saturday tweet from Mother Jones reported on the likelihood that police would soon be clearing the Wisconsin Capitol building of demonstrators.

    "Use live ammunition," a Twitter user named JCCentCom replied.

    When confronted, the Twitter user stood by his words, insisting that the protesters were "political enemies" and "thugs."

    "[A]gainst thugs physically threatening legally-elected state legislators & governor? You're damn right I advocate deadly force," he wrote.

    Mother Jones' Adam Weinstein later discovered that JCCentCom was a deputy attorney general at the Office of the Indiana Attorney General.

    From the writings on his blog Pro Cynic, it seemed that this wasn't the first time Cox had used over-the-top rhetoric against those he disagreed with.

    "But he evinces contempt for political opponents -- from labeling President Obama an 'incompetent and treasonous' enemy of the nation to comparing 'enviro-Nazis' to Osama bin Laden, likening ex-Labor Secretary Robert Reich and Service Employees International Union members to Nazi 'brownshirts' on multiple occasions, and referring to an Indianapolis teen as 'a black teenage thug who was (deservedly) beaten up' by local police," Weinstein noted.

    In an e-mail, Mother Jones asked Cox to provide some context for his remarks.

    "For 'context?' Or to silence me? All my comments on twitter & my blog are my own and no one else's. And I can defend them all," he replied.

    Bryan Corbin, a spokesman for the Indiana attorney general's office, told the magazine that Cox's comments were "inflammatory" and would be reviewed.

    "We do not condone any comments that would threaten or imply violence or intimidation toward anyone," he added.

    "Individuals have the First Amendment right to post their own personal views in online forums on their own time but as public servants, state employees also should strive to conduct themselves with professionalism and appropriate decorum in their interactions with the public."

    As of Wednesday morning, Cox had declined to provide further explanation for his tweets or writings on his blog.

    The battle for union rights was expected to move next to Indiana, where Democratic state senators had fled the state to run out the clock on a bill that would have weakened collective bargaining.

    http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2011/02/23/u ... cial-says/
     
  12. JackNegativity

    JackNegativity Experienced Member Uploader Experienced member Forum Member


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    Indianapolis needs a massive protest. I lived there for a month and that was enough to know:

    1.I needed to move the fuck out of there.
    2.The place is a shithole for the working poor.
     
  13. punkmar77

    punkmar77 Experienced Member Uploader Experienced member


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    [​IMG]
     
  14. SurgeryXdisaster

    SurgeryXdisaster Experienced Member Experienced member Forum Member


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    [​IMG]
     
  15. punkmar77

    punkmar77 Experienced Member Uploader Experienced member


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    Billionaire Right-Wing Koch Brothers Fund Wisconsin Governor Campaign And Anti-Union Efforts

    [video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UI2o2w92DrA[/video]
     
  16. JackNegativity

    JackNegativity Experienced Member Uploader Experienced member Forum Member


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    They would.
     
  17. freedbymyself

    freedbymyself New Member New Member


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    Anyone doing solidarity actions with Unions in Wisconsin?

    Asheville is having one, and a lot of local union chapters are getting involved. Apparently the new IWW chapter is also part of the planning group for it. Are their any other solidarity actions going on where you're at?
     
  18. JesusCrust

    JesusCrust Experienced Member Experienced member Forum Member


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    There's a bunch of solidarity marches going on nation wide this Saturday I believe. I was told about one in LA this sunday I'm going to attend, can't find the site. I'll look for it.



    Actually, I was writing that I found this:
    http://pol.moveon.org/event/events/inde ... ion_id=238
     
  19. butcher

    butcher Experienced Member Uploader Experienced member Forum Member


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    [​IMG]
     
  20. punkmar77

    punkmar77 Experienced Member Uploader Experienced member


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    going right now...in the rain, with my Anarcho-Syndicalist flag, my mini-bullhorn, 4 hours of sleep, and a hangover the size of Texas......woohoo! :star: :star: :star: :star: :star: :star: :star: :star: :star:
     
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