Wisconsin protest: ’Jobs Now!’

On Jan. 3, hundreds of people met at the site of the Talgo manufacturing plant in Milwaukee, Wis., and traveled by bus to Madison, Wis., to protest Scott Walker’s inauguration as governor at the State Capitol. The protesters included union members, community activists, students, unemployed workers, members of the faith community, immigrant rights activists and many more. They were joined in Madison by labor, student and peace groups.

Photo: Sue Ruggles, AFT Local 212

The protesters rallied on the steps of the Capitol, with a program featuring labor and community leaders and testimony from unemployed workers. The unemployment rate in Wisconsin, in particular for African Americans, is at the highest levels in decades, a direct result of more than 100 manufacturing plant closings since 2008 alone. After the rally, protesters encircled the Capitol while Walker’s inaugural took place inside the rotunda.

Walker, a right-wing, racist politician and former Milwaukee county executive, is anti-union, with his attacks at every turn especially attempting to bust public-sector unions. He is pushing to lower or stop taxes on corporations amid numerous other attacks on poor and working people.

The Madison action was sponsored by a coalition including MICAH, Good Jobs and Livable Neighborhoods, the League of Young Voters Education Fund, the Milwaukee Area Labor Council, and Voces de la Frontera. Also in attendance were the Wisconsin Network for Peace and Justice, Peace Action Wisconsin and local union affiliates of U.S. Labor Against the War