Massive Protests In Wisconsin Against Governor Walker's Cuts and Threats

Last week Govenor Walker made his threat against the state's workers:

First Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) announced a state budget plan that  strips state workers of nearly all their collective bargaining rights, cuts pay and benefits and says there will be no negotiations.

Today he took it even further: He announced he has alerted the National Guard to be ready in case state workers strike or rise in protest. He told the Associated Press he’s been working on contingency plans for months.

Today's march has sent shockwaves throughout the country, with workers letting Walker know that they won't be bullied by his threats:

Demonstrators gathered in large numbers at the Wisconsin state Capitol on Tuesday, to protest Republican Gov. Scott Walker's budget proposal to help close the state's shortfall by removing nearly all collective bargaining rights for public employees.

As the Wisconsin State Journal reports, over 10,000 protestors gathered at the state Capitol building Tuesday, with thousands also crowded inside the building itself.

A video of the demonstration is available here.

Under Walker's plan, as TPM has previously reported, most state workers would no longer be able to negotiate for better pensions or health benefits or anything other than higher salaries, which couldn't rise at a quicker pace than the Consumer Price Index. According to the Associated Press: "The proposal would effectively remove unions' right to negotiate in any meaningful way. Local law enforcement and fire employees, as well as state troopers and inspectors would be exempt."

The Superbowl Champion Green Bay Packers and many students throughout the state have also spoken out in solidarity with Wisconsin's state workers.

You can show solidarity with the workers in Wisconsin by becoming a fan of the AFLCIO's "We Are One" facebook page.

Photo By @joelvanharen