Huge turnout for Chicago rally in support of Wisconsin workers' struggle
Part of the crowd of more than 2,000 at the February 26 Chicago rally in support of the 100,000 people gathered in Madison Wisconsin on the same day. Substance photo by John Kugler.Thousands of people turned out on a cold and wet Saturday, February 26, 2011, for a solidarity rally with the Wisconsin workers struggle outside Chicago's City Hall and State of Illinois building. Substance overage will continue in both video, photo and print over the next days and weeks.
For those who can't get the video link about, the URL is:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHIyRFH5r-I&feature=email
Chicago teachers showing their support for Wisconsin workers at the February 26 Chicago rally. Substance photo by John Kugler.Chicago Rally - Solidarity With Wisconsin - Feb 26, 2011
Went to the rally by the State of Illinois Bldg - 100 W. Randolph in downtown Chicago. There was a large crowd that grew bigger as the rally got going. Mainstream news put the number under a thousand but at the height of the rally when US Senator Dick Durban spoke there could have been 2000 people in attendance. He gave a great speech and so did various labor leaders for across that state all pledging solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Wisconsin. I put together a video of the rally and posting Durban's speech and some of my favorite signs. No tea partiers in sight.
U.S. Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois speaking in support of the Wisconsin public workers at the February 26 Chicago rally. Substance photo by John Kugler.“What’s at stake in Wisconsin is a basic concept of American liberty and freedom,” Durbin said, drawing applause and roars from the crowd. And Durbin made sure the Democratic senators — all of whom, like Taylor, fled Wisconsin to deprive the Republican-majority Senate of the quorum it needs to vote on Walker’s proposed budget — knew they are “always welcome in Illinois.”
more pics at
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Solidarity With Wisconsin Chicago Rally Feb 26, 2011 (Raw Video 1)
http://www.youtube.com/...
Solidarity With Wisconsin Chicago Rally Feb 26, 2011 (Raw Video 2)
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Solidarity With Wisconsin Chicago Rally Feb 26, 2011 (Raw Video 3)
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Solidarity With Wisconsin Chicago Rally Feb 26, 2011 (Raw Video 4)
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Chicagoans show support for Wis. protesters "Ya'll ready to save the American dream. Then why don't you scream so loud that they can hear you all the way in Madison, Wisconsin," said William McNary, Citizen Action Illinois.
CTU researcher Sarah Hainds breaking in her son early in solidarity work at the January 26 Chicago rally. Substance photo by John Kugler."Governor Walker's agenda in Wisconsin goes way beyond the budget. He's trying to destroy a basic American right," said U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., at Saturday's rally.
"The Koch brothers are determined to have a world without unions where people are left defenseless and working people have no voice," said Roberta Lynch, AFSCME Local 31.
A vote can only happen if at least one of the Democratic senators returns to create a quorum for a vote, and during a visit to Operation Push, Democratic Wisconsin State Sen. Lena Taylor says it will not be her.
"We believe in protecting the rights of people. His agenda is wrong for Wisconsin and we're standing with the people," Taylor said.
http://abclocal.go.com/...
Wisconsin Dem vows to fight GOP plan as union supporters rally here Union workers and supporters ignored wintry weather Saturday as they rallied downtown to protest efforts by Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker to strip most public employees in that state of their collective bargaining rights.
“There’s a ripple effect that worries me,” said Beck, a union member for nearly 35 years. “Collective bargaining has brought us this far. I put my kids through college and make a decent living because I’m in a union.”
“I think it’s important to stand by union members regardless of what state they’re in,” said Mike Murray, an English teacher at Stagg High School in Palos Hills, who attended the protest with his wife, Tanja, and their two young daughters. “They’re going to be fighting the same fight that we are. This is kind of a watershed moment for everybody nationwide.”
http://www.suntimes.com/...
more pics at
http://www.flickr.com/...
Solidarity With Wisconsin Chicago Rally Feb 26, 2011 (Raw Video 1)
http://www.youtube.com/...
Solidarity With Wisconsin Chicago Rally Feb 26, 2011 (Raw Video 2)
http://www.youtube.com/...
Solidarity With Wisconsin Chicago Rally Feb 26, 2011 (Raw Video 3)
http://www.youtube.com/...
Solidarity With Wisconsin Chicago Rally Feb 26, 2011 (Raw Video 4)
http://www.youtube.com/...
Comments:
By: kugler
In Solidarity
I was proud and happy that we came together to support our brothers and sisters in the struggle against those that want to destroy the middle class.
I especially loved talking to other union members that were also proud that we are standing up together to fight together!
In Solidarity,
Proud Union Member
John Kugler
By: Ken Budz
English teacher
I was at that rally at the state of illinois building. I was proud to be there in the snow and the cold, not only supporting Wisc. folks but gearing up w/ others for our fights. It was good to see dozens of CTU members and over 100 teachers from all over Ill. We would have had more people w/ more notice, but this was very good.