Competing Wisconsin protests peaceful, draw thousands

[Joanne98]

Source: Reuters

* Tea Party-backed rally outnumbered

* Atmosphere friendly despite confrontation fears

By James Kelleher

MADISON, Wis., Feb 19 (Reuters) - Supporters of legislation to reduce public employee union bargaining power and benefits in Wisconsin were far outnumbered by opponents on Saturday, as the two sides shouted competing slogans but did not clash.

Tens of thousands have demonstrated throughout the week against Republican Governor Scott Walker's proposed legislation, which supporters say is needed to bring spending under control and opponents contend would break the back of state worker unions.

Wisconsin is the flashpoint for a U.S. struggle over efforts to roll back pay, benefits and bargaining rights of government workers. If the majority Republicans prevail, other states could be emboldened to take on the powerful unions.

Both sides drew thousands to the state capital Madison on Saturday -- unofficial estimates put the total near 40,000 -- but opponents appeared to have several times as many as those backed by Tea Party groups, the first appearance by members of the conservative, limited-government movement this week.



Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/02/19/usa-wisconsin-protests-idUSN1917726920110219

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It's official. They had thousands and we had tens of thousands.

And "Rage Against the Machine" is going to be there Monday.

So will probably have a million then.

[Shiver]

1. 40,000?

Looks like a lot more down here to me.

[forty6]

2. You are there? Have a camera, I-phone, or other device?

Send a few pictures to all the media outlets, TV and print. Someone there somewhere will take a look at them!

And, of course, publish some pics here!

I'm getting the impression from my reading that the WI media are not doing due diligence in representing this story accurately in the local media. I'm getting the impression that MSNBC, WA PO, Huff PO, etc. are doing a more comperhensive job at explaining the issues... and the local press and TV is scared to cross a new governor so early in his term.

We need hundreds of sources of data, dozens of challenges to local perfunctory press coverage, etc.

[Shiver]

4. I was

I had to leave early today, though, as I have to work soon. I've been there almost every day, and the crowds just keep getting bigger - I've heard that we had about 100,000 down there today! I can believe it, though - the Teabaggers looked pathetic in comparison.

I have some pictures, and once I have the mean's I'll be posting them, although honestly they're mostly of funny signs I saw. Cut me some slack, though, it's my first protest :P

[Pharaoh]

5. I was there,

100,000 would not be unreasonable IMHO...

[Joanne98]

3. "Concert for Rights" Mon 5PM at Capitol:

Wylieknowords: RT @DefendWisconsin: "Concert for Rights" Mon 5PM at Capitol: Tom Morello, The Nightwatchmen, Rage against the Machine, Wayne Kramer, The Street Dogs. #wiunion

[Tx4obama]

6. Pro-Union 70,000. Teabaggers 3,000. n/t

[Iliyah]

7. Now thats

about right with the numbers - LOL, but ya know the corporate media will say otherwise. Of course msnbc showed the tired arse tea brats.

[AlinPA]

9. Fox "news" will say a few hundred pro-union and 150,000 teabaggers. nt

[Doctor_J]

8. Teabaggers aren't so feisty when outnumbered 20-1

I guess they won't be stomping any women this week