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Dear activists, protesters & workers from Wisconsin, Ohio and other states,
I was truly touched by your hundreds of thoughts and comments on my photos from Tahrir holding that sign. I thank each and everyone of you, even those who thought the photos were shopped, but I have few things to say.
I’m an Egyptian ordinary young man, activist and Engineering student. I turned 21 years old last December, I love to read and write using both Arabic and English (although my English is kind of weak). and like other thousands, or even millions of Egyptians, I was very busy since Jan25 with our revolution in Tahrir square and all Egypt. we spent very hard days in that square waiting for death to come anytime from air or ground. anyway, what happened in Tahrir is not our subject now, everyone knows what happened there. the point is that I was too busy to know full details of what’s going on in other parts of the world. I knew that people protested in Wisconsin for their rights but didn’t know more details till Thursday, the 17th of February and it was by luck through a wall post of an American friend on Facebook, then I immediately began to search it and read more, then I decided to show support! decided to make the sign and take it with me to Tahrir next morning (Friday).
Someone In Egypt Ordered a Pizza For the Protesters in Wisconsin
Ian’s on State Street - a small pizza place near the Capitol - has been fielding calls from citizens of twelve countries and thirty-eight states looking to donate free pizza to the Wisconsinites who have congregated to protest Scott Walker's proposed legislation reducing the rights and pay of state workers. After promoting the cause on Twitter and Facebook, Ian’s gave away 1,057 donated slices yesterday and delivered more than 300 pizzas. The blackboard behind the counter now has a running list of places where donations have come from, and it includes China and Egypt. [Politico]
When protest becomes art
Music video of Wisconsin student-led uprising is inspired work
<p>Wisconsin Budget Repair Bill Protest from Matt Wisniewski on Vimeo.</p>
Three days of footage (Feb 15-17) from the Madison, WI protest against the SB11 budget repair bill.Mgwisni@gmail.com
The above video, shot and edited by 22-year old videographer Matt Wisiniewski, transforms footage of Wisconsin activists demonstrating, marching, speaking, singing and occupying into a beautiful montage music video. While the political context is not present in such works (why they are protesting, what’s at stake, etc) Wisniewski’s talented hand crafts an electrifying, inspirational and emotional ode to popular uprising, dissent and critical public intervention. This video, which is more like a music video (complete with the ever-popular Arcade Fire as soundtrack) than a documentary, is a fine compendium to the news pieces and documentaries about last week’s massive uprising in Madison, Wisconsin, in the face of anti-union legislation.
Young university students have led the way in this intervention, disproving cynical pundits who decry the digital native generation’s proclivity to gazing and tapping into digital communication devices. It’s exciting to not only see the students, workers and general population of Madison stand up for fair wages, collective bargaining rights and accessible education (among other things), but incredibly inspiring to see such actions transformed into the kinds of media Wisniewski has shared with the world. Bravo and On Wisconsin!!!
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| PERMALINK | 309 COMMENTS |
During the election, there were only three unions that endorsed Walker for Governor of Wisconsin: The Firefighters, Police, and State Troopers. We've seen spectacular video of the Firefighters marching into the capitol with their bagpipes. The Firefighters have taken their stand.
Well, now, so have the Police.
And it's NOT with Walker.
Tracy Fuller, the Executive Board President of the Wisconsin Law Enforcement Associationhas issued a statement on the organization's page. Parts of it read as follows:
Please excuse the caps--this was how it was written
I am going to make an effort to speak for myself, and every member of the Wisconsin State Patrol when I say this.Break*
I SPECIFICALLY REGRET THE ENDORSEMENT OF THE WISCONSIN TROOPER’S ASSOCIATION FOR GOVERNOR SCOTT WALKER. I REGRET THE GOVERNOR’S DECISION TO “ENDORSE” THE TROOPERS AND INSPECTORS OF THE WISCONSIN STATE PATROL. I REGRET BEING THE RECIPIENT OF ANY OF THE PERCEIVED BENEFITS PROVIDED BY THE GOVERNOR’S ANOINTING.
I THINK EVERYONE’S JOB AND CAREER IS JUST AS SIGNIFICANT AS THE OTHERS. EVERYONE'S FAMILY IS JUST AS VALUABLE AS MINE OR ANY OTHER PERSONS, ESPECIALLY MINE. EVERYONE'S NEEDS ARE JUST AS VALUABLE. WE ARE ALL GREAT PEOPLE!!
More:
I don’t believe that the Troopers Association could have possibly predicted, or comprehended the events that are unfolding in front of us at this time. I can agree that it was a tragic mistake for the Trooper’s Association to endorse the Governor, I can’t do anything about it, and they are reaping the benefits of their actions. I do believe they thought any benefits gained would be for all of the members of WLEA, after all, the PCO’s, Field Agents, Capitol Police, and U.W. Police are all in the same union.
Who could have possibly thought that the Governor could pluck one local’s members from a union and identify it as being worthy of bargaining for a contract? Some of the comments and attitudes that have been made and displayed would have you believe that the Governor consulted with the board of the Trooper’s Association about what his plans were in all of this.
And further on, he gets to the meat of the argument:
This bill has some provisions that make no sense, unless the basic intent is to bust unions. One provision makes it illegal for public employers to collect dues for labor organizations. The employer can take deductions for the United Way, or other organizations, but they are prohibited from collecting union dues.How does that repair the budget?
Another provision requires the WERC to conduct a representation election by December 1st each year, to determine if the employees still want the union to represent them. The WERC has to bill the union for the cost of the election. Currently, if a group petitions the WERC to do an election, the WERC covers the cost. Right now, the members have the right to request an election if the majority of the members want to change or eliminate representation. Why create unnecessarily processes?
Does that help repair the budget?
This is where Walker has failed. This is where Republicans will ultimately fail. When the people become EDUCATED and realize what having Republicans in charge actually means, then Republicans lose every time.
Let's fervently hope it's not too late.
Protests in Michigan tomorrow, Ohio, Tuesday, and ongoing in Wisconsin. We MUST. NOT. LOSE. Failure at this point means the end of the American Democracy and the rise of American Fascism.
HUGE UPDATE: SEIU is planning NATIONAL Solidarity Actions this week. Check here where the ones in your state are and show solidarity with our Brothers and Sisters in Wisconsin!!
>via: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/02/20/947619/-The-Police-Are-Turning-On-Wa...