Wisconsin Protests: State Police Pursue Democratic Lawmakers Boycotting Vote

[Derechos]

Wisconsin Democrats on Thursday fled the statehouse in an effort to prevent legislators from reaching a quorum and passing a bill put forth by Gov. Scott Walker (R), which would cripple the collective bargaining rights of public unions.

The move produced a frantic political drama, as state troopers were reportedly sent out to find the fleeing lawmakers and Walker hinted that the National Guard would be called in to fill the void left by protesting union workers.

One Democratic senator told the Milwaukee-WIsconsin Journal Sentinel that most of the members of his caucus had already crossed state lines.

Their flight further heightened the drama that has surrounded the Wisconsin statehouse this week. On Wednesday there were an estimated 30,000 peacefully rallying in front of the state capitol building, and on Thursday that number is expected to be even higher.

Madison public schools are closed for the second day running, as teachers call in sick and students walk out.

Wisconsin is a stronghold of the labor movement -- the birthplace of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, one of the nation's largest labor unions -- with a long history of successful battles for workers' rights. This is part of the reason the pushback to Walker's bill has been so strong. It's also why, if the bill does pass, the precedent it sets for other conservative governors looking to go after collective bargaining rights is so powerful.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/17/wisconsin-protests-scott-walker-police_n_824697.html

[Pryderi]

1. Texas gerrymandering redux?

[roguevalley]

9. I'm AFSCME and I wish I was there.

[Bandit]

10. I should know this but I don't, are Alaska teachers Union?

I wish every state that has unionized public employees would strike/walk out to show solidarity..Without something like that happening the Unions are going to lose. They either all hang together or they will all hang separately, figuratively speaking..

[roguevalley]

11. yes they are. that would be awesome. I know the labor councils in

Wisconsin are probably going to muster other unions to help. Teamsters and IBEW are awesome about this kind of thing.

[bluestateguy]

2. Illinois maybe?

Illinois, where Democrats run the whole state would protect them and Wisconsin troopers would not be able to touch them.

[Cirque du So-What]

3. That is the nearest border

It's a mere 60 interstate highway miles to the IL border.

[Sherman A1]

4. This will be interesting.

I wonder when the Gov. will add agent-provocateurs to the mix around the capitol building to give the police/guard an excuse to use force and clear the area?

[HereSince1628]

5. Hint: "They are not all together in the same place."

according to Democratic minority leader Miller

[lame54]

6. What happens if they find one?

[Bozita]

7. I'm guessing the average LEO knows he/she's next

[Tatiana]

8. Unreal. What Republican thugs.

Hopefully they headed down 94. Their neighbors in IL will hopefully help them out.