Use this thread to talk about solidarity rallies. Also send me any pictures (or link to pictures in the thread) and I will post some if I get them before 1 today (I am going off the grid at around 1 pm today til about 10 pm tomorrow).
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jnfr
Doubt we’ll be back with pics by your schedule, but we are heading down to Denver for the rally there. I was delighted to see (from a slideshow over at TPM) that there was a Denver rally last Tuesday. I hadn’t even heard of it.
General Stuck
Skynet disapproves
pablo
I don’t know if this qualifies as a picture, but it once was!
PurpleGirl
I intended to attend the rally in Manhattan but this morning I woke up with a tooth ache; no way can I go out. I’m sorry to be missing the rally.
gelfling545
Just getting ready to leave for the Buffalo rally. So proud that my daughters are going also and my sister who is usually SO not politically active. The republicans have finally struck a nerve for the “average” American.
Lolis
I am going to the 2 PM Austin rally at the capitol.
wonkie
You all are giving me a guilt complex. I went to a rally last Saturday. Today I work until noon, it would take me another twenty minutes to drive to Olympia, then ten to park and walk to thea rlly…so I wasn’t planning to go. Arggg.
wonkie
You all are giving me a guilt complex. I went to a rally last Saturday. Today I work until noon, it would take me another twenty minutes to drive to Olympia, then ten to park and walk to thea rlly…so I wasn’t planning to go. Arggg.
Southern Beale
Today I remember the original Solidarity movement, the one that took down Communism … no wonder the authoritarian right is afraid of labor unions. They have seen what it can do.
Davis X. Machina
Not gonna make noontime in Augusta, not with what’s in the driveway. Plowback’s waist-high.
I had a snowblower, but he’s at Carnegie Mellon. Of course, if we get a foot of snow from May to August, I’m all set.
2″-4″ more tomorrow.
Turbulence
I’m leaving for the rally in Boston in 20 minutes.
alwhite
Its going to be very near 0 in Saint Paul today, not expecting much of a crowd. As little as I think of our new governor he at least has stood with the unions and recent said he would never seek to decertify the public employee Unions
Scamp Dog
I’ll be heading to the Colorado rally. Anybody else in the readership going?
Kool Earl
Heading to Philly rallies. Major one at Love Park, and Uncut demo at Comcast (a few blocks away)
Jim, Once
Son and daughter in law are at the Madison Statehouse as I write. I so wish I could be there, but I’m proud that they are. Waiting for photos.
ABloomquist
@alwhite
I’m also hitting up the St Paul rally today, I live close to the Capitol.
kideni
I’m heading up to Capitol Square here in Madison in half an hour, and with everything going on, it’ll be a long day. It’s the coldest day yet since this all started (only 13 degrees now, and we’ll only have a high of around 20), but with all the people around, I think we’ll be warm enough. It’s fantastic that all this is happening around the country.
Nutella
Leaving soon to hit two rallies in Chicago — the Wisconsin union one and the pro-choice one. Both start at noon about a block apart. Should be interesting.
tulip
I’m heading to the SF rally in about an hour, hour an a half. I can’t believe this will be my first political event, ever.
justanotherjones
Planning to drive the hour or so to Olympia, but won’t be back with pics until later. I’ll be using a real camera, not some silly phone thingy. *hmmmmph* ;-)
Genine
I am going to the Denver Rally by the Capitol today. I’ll take some pictures.
Granite Stater
Attended rally in Portsmouth, NH – well attended. Media reports at 250, but our estimate was 500. We were not allowed to have a speaker system, so the old bull horn had to do. It was cold.
Three anti-union protesters across the street.
New Yorker
Back from Lower Manhattan. Good turnout, with people all over City Hall Park, and up Broadway to at least Chambers Street.
At one point, people in front of me started chanting “Fox News Lies!” at a cameraman and his crew, so I’m curious how Fox is spinning these rallies. Are we communists, Islamists, or both?
MGB
Just back from the Chicago rally. Good turn out, Durbin was there speaking. For two days notice, couldn’t believe they filled the plaza in front of the Thompson Center. The next plaza over was a women’s rights/reproductive rights rally. The cheers and yells from both kept us energized. Cars passing by kept on honking in support.
GregB
Several hundred came out in the bitter cold outside of the NH state house.
There were about 15 or so tea-partiers counter protesting.
I told them that Libya was looking for some gun thugs to break up popular revolts.
Good times.
John Borrego
I’m very proud of my fellow Oklahomans–this is just about the Reddest of the Red States, but several hundred people came out to the State Capitol today. In union there is strength.
Nicole
Went to the Harrisburg, PA one. Seemed like a good turnout to me. Small group of tea baggers across the street but no scuffles. I’ll send some pix to some of the other front pagers if they want to post them since Doug is out.
Linda M
Just got back from the Indianapolis rally. It looked like maybe 200 people, which was good since the weather here today is really shitty. Lots of cars honking in support, but hardly any press. Press here is up Daniels’ butt! I’m glad I went.
Turbulence
The Boston rally had a few hundred people tops at the MA state house. I didn’t see any counter protesters at all, and no press except for one woman reporting for a local radio station. Given that the weather was really nice I expected a lot more people.
Cheap Jim
I can’t go to a labor rally today; I had to work.
leinie
Just got back from the rally in Boise. Yes, you read that right. Boise, ID. They had about 400 people or so, which was about 350 more than I expected to see there. About 25 teahadists across the street holding signs about our American Dream being their American Nightmare.
Lots of support for teachers in Idaho – the Superintendent of Education has proposed firing a bunch of teacher, increasing class sizes to 60, and using online education (computer) as a replacement for the teachers. Its been really controversial here.
Genine
Just got back from the Denver rally. It was great. There was wonderful energy and people were positive. It was all about we,the people, being acknowledged and having our fair share. It wasn’t about hatred.
Aaron S. Veenstra
Decent turnout in Carbondale today, considering a) the short notice, b) the smallness of the town, and c) the biting wind. A good mix of professors, students and other university-affiliates, plus older activists and kids. Got a lot of honking and thumbs up from passing traffic. I was interviewed by both local paper and TV, and the reporters both seemed to have a decent awareness of the story, at least enough to construct questions that were pretty OK.
Pics here.
aimai
Just got back from the Boston rally. About 2000 people I think. A good show but not huge. I went with my mother–we are neither of us in a Union but we are old left–and found out later that my brother was also in the crowd somewhere. Best sign was a little girl in a purple princess costume, sitting high on her firefighter father’s shoulders. Her hand made sign “PRINCESSES 4 UNIONS!!” Adorable.
aimai
jnfr
@Genine:
Denver organizers said 3,000 here today. It was certain ly a big, good-natured crowd. Firefighters were there i n support with a firetruck, which was great to see.
Half-a-dozen anti-choice protesters, presumably because there was a pro-choice march right after. We are still downtown at the Rockbottom (brewpub) where we stopped for lunch. Saw the march go by and it looked like a lot of folks stayed for that too.
New Yorker
Sounds about right. The American Dream was always a nightmare to the plutocratic set. Better to let everyone starve than have to pay taxes.
Well, as FDR once said about their ideological forefathers, “I welcome their hate.”
scav
One thing I loved about the Chicago rally was the posters in the background signs advertising the plays Working and Les Miserables.
Nutella
One of the union speakers in Chicago said that the capitol police in Madison have been ordered to clear the building tomorrow but there will be many off-duty police joining the protesters who are not going to let them be moved out. That will be interesting.
Jim, Once
Son and daughter-in-law just called. A friend of theirs from Madison – who’s been to the the demonstration multiple times – says there are at least twice as many people as there were last Saturday – well over a hundred thousand, he thinks. Son concurs. Says it’s amazing. What impressed him as much as anything is how well organized things are, how kind and orderly everyone is. He carried a sign saying he was from Iowa – multiple Wisconsinites came up to thank them for being there. I’m so jealous.
gelfling545
Back from the Niagara Square rally in Buffalo. A good turn out but I’m no good at estimating the numbers and a good mix of age groups. Two tea partiers were across the street basically shouting at clouds. (Actually, I underestimate – there may have been 3.)Lots of drive-by participation with sounding of horns, waving of banners from those in cars. Another rally is scheduled for Wed. in Lafayette Square.
Jim, Once
I just reread my post – I guess I didn’t make it clear my son was calling from Capitol Square in Madison.
gelfling545
Back from the Niagara Square rally in Buffalo. A good turn out but I’m no good at estimating the numbers and a good mix of age groups. Two tea partiers were across the street basically shouting at clouds. (Actually, I underestimate – there may have been 3.)Lots of drive-by participation with sounding of horns, waving of banners from those in cars. Another rally is scheduled for Wed. in Lafayette Square.Also, we had a chance to do a little teaching on the way down & back on the train, alerting people to what was going on & how it could affect them when we were asked about out signs.
gelfling545
The above duplicate post is what happens when I try to edit. Oh, well.
Geoduck
Fairly good turnout in Olympia WA, especially considering it’s cold (by Washington standards) and slushy. I’m terrible at estimating crowd-sizes, but hundreds. There was a much smaller Walkerite contingent. Plus of course the oddballs: I saw some benighted soul toting around what appeared to be Larouche propaganda, and another in full Seattle Supersonics basketball regalia, complete with giant flag. (For non-sports fans, the Sonics were spirited away to Oklahoma City a few years back.) No sign of any media, but I missed the first part of the proceedings.
Corner Stone
@Nutella: My guess is it will be like the scene from Braveheart where Wallace’s band of men run into the Irish mercs and all start having a conversation.
janeform
Lansing, MI rally. Nice turnout. Photos here
Lolis
Great rally in Austin. There were maybe 600 – 1000 people. I suck at counting. No Tea Party presence, just a firebagger with a huge sign.
Sir Nose'D
Columbus, Ohio. Thousands turned out to protest stripping public employees of collective bargaining rights.
ABloomquist
St Paul rally had turnout at about 1k, pretty good considering it was close to 0* and snowing. By far the best speaker was Rep. Keith Ellison (but then doesn’t he prove Beck’s theories on collusion between unions and Muslims.).
apikoros
Went to the D.C. rally at Dupont Circle. Met up with Jonathan (whydirt). Got some pictures here:
https://picasaweb.google.com/stevendolan/Demonstation_DupontCircle_2_26_2011?authkey=Gv1sRgCJDjstaG0bP-rQE&feat=directlink
The rally was between 3000 and a grand, but I would not guess closer than that. Van Jones was the keynote speaker as well as 4-5 others whose names I did not get.
draftmama
No idea how many people at the Capitol in Helena MT, but since it was -14 degrees at 9:00 am it was a pretty good turnout, but still below zero at noon. We have the same problems with our nutcase tea party legislators (Montana is the laughing stock of the nation)
apikoros
Went to the D.C. rally at Dupont Circle. Met up with Jonathan (whydirt). Got some pictures here:
https://picasaweb.google.com/stevendolan/Demonstation_DupontCircle_2_26_2011?authkey=Gv1sRgCJDjstaG0bP-rQE&feat=directlink
The rally was between 300 and a grand, but I would not guess closer than that. Van Jones was the keynote speaker as well as 4-5 others whose names I did not get.
JohnR
The Annapolis rally was not large (maybe 150+/-), but had a good mix, including one demonstrator who held a sign claiming to be a Tea Party supporter of the unions (unless I read it wrong). A raw, cold day may have kept the numbers down.
Genine
@jnfr:
Yeah, I went to the Corner Bakery after the rally. I remember the organizer saying there were about 3000. I told a few people who came but a lot of people didn’t know about it. I thought it was wonderful how many people honked their horns in support. It was great to see. I’ve lived in Denver for six years and I know it’s not really a union town.
One of the speakers (I think it was a firefighter) said the Republicans have woken a sleeping dragon.
I hope he’s right.
SouthSideBob
Chicago rally had over 2,000 energetic people of all ages and races….union and non-union. Senator Dick Durbin spoke as did many other inspiring people. One block away was a pro-choice rally and a few blocks away was a Libyan solidarity rally. Chicago—where voices are heard and where Democratic legislators from Wisconsin and Indiana are welcomed with open arms.
Genine
Denver rally photos here.
jnfr
Looks like you were right behind us. I see my husband’s back in a couple of your photos :)
PurpleGirl
I went to the NY1 web site and didn’t see a story about the rally in City Hall Park. There was a story about the Planned Parenthood support rally. So I sent NY1 an e-mail asking them if they did a story. Will wait and see if they answer me.
celiadexter
I went to the City Hall Park rally in Manhattan. No idea what the body count was, but the group was huge — so crowded that people couldn’t get into the park and massed on the other side of Broadway. I couldn’t see the speakers but I understand Anthony Weiner was there. Many people brought their kids. Someone was passing out copies of Paul Krugman’s column on the Shock Doctrine — brilliant!
sfHeath
@tulip: Wish I could have been there. Had to work this afternoon. Hope it was big!
New Yorker
@celiadexter:
Yeah, Anthony Weiner spoke (yay! next mayor of New York plz) as did Jerrold Nadler and (sigh…) Charlie Rangel, among many other non-politicians.
The rally was of course very orderly and peaceful and I really got the feeling that the cops who were assigned to it were with us in spirit even if they couldn’t say it. They were incredibly courteous with us after the rally.
I held up my father’s NYPD Lieutenant’s Benevolent Association card. If not for public unions (Police for my dad, Teachers for my mom), I probably don’t go to the Ivy League college I did.
Cliff
I went to the rally in Phoenix. Close to a thousand folks showed up, is what the organizers said.
The thing is, apparently in Phoenix we don’t like making noises or any sort of fuss. Several people spoke through a bullhorn because they didn’t get a permit for a PA system, and no one could get a chant going that lasted longer than a minute.
nancydarling
Just got back from Little Rock. We had a few hundred including a good group from Arkansas Education Assoc. The only politician I saw was State senator Joyce Elliot. She lost a House of Representatives run to the loathsome Tim Griffith of voter suppression fame. It was a good mix of people, all ages. CWA seemed fairly well represented.
lafcolleen
Made it to the Chicago rally. Organizers said over 2,000 people made it, but it probably ended up being more. Fantastic energy, good tempered crowd. Lots of people identifying their union affiliation – including me! NOLSW Local 2320 (United Legal Workers of Chicago), we’re a UAW outfit. Why I don’t know. Really interesting mix of people – looked like college aged kids, young adults, middle aged folks and oldsters. Gender split seemed pretty even, but (considering Chicago’s demographics) I thought the percentage of whites seemed pretty high. But, ya know, I was in a crowd, so limited prespective.
opie jeanne, formerly known as Jeanne Ringland
Couldn’t make it to Olympia today. It has been snowing up here nearly all day, the roads are icy and we’re getting a bit old to be out in it.
Heck, I’m sitting here and trying to decide whether to walk to the mailbox.
comrade scott's agenda of rage
Went to the rally in Jeff City Misery. About 2-300 all told, not bad given the capitol is in the middle of a virulently red part of the state (which anymore is most of the state) and that Misery is a decidely labor unfriendly place.
The Teatards were on the other side of the Capitol, i have no idea what their turnout was. All I saw was an obese white woman waddling around from the other side with a sign I couldn’t read.
The best sign “we” had was one that said “I couldn’t make a hate-filled Nazi sign because the Tea Party stole all my graphics”.
The best thing about our small turnout was that it consisted of white and blue collar union members. That’s something you don’t see enough of.
Genine
@jnfr:
Oh, awesome! Juicers, represent!
opie jeanne, formerly known as Jeanne Ringland
@Geoduck: I’m glad people went. We’re sissies, having moved here from a warm climate last summer.
Of course the media wasn’t there, unless it was to interview the tea partiers as if they showed up in equal numbers. The coverage of this movement has been stunningly small.
Liberty60
Just got back from the Los Angeles rally- I figured there were about 1,500 people there. No Tea Party, but a small card table with some LaRouches at it- most folks smiled indulgently at them as they walked past, the way you do with a slow nephew.
Overall the rally was terrific- we had 2 City Council members, one City Council candidate, a deputy DA (who organized the local prosecutors into a AFSCME bargaining unit) and of course plenty of union heads.
People here are fired up- you could feel the atmosphere, that all the progressive groups- MoveOn, PDA, union, LGBT, immigrants, etc were finally united, welded together by being under attack together.
Jim, Once
So, my son has some awesome pics of the Madison rally, but they’re all on Facebook. Can I link to those here?
opie jeanne, formerly known as Jeanne Ringland
@Liberty60: I’m surprised that one wasn’t larger. Was it raining?
justanotherjones
Back from Olympia, WA. It was freaking cold! They said the estimate was 2500 people, I bet it was more. I saw a couple helicopters above but I don’t know if they were news, police or someone else. I saw press photographers at the top of the steps of the rotunda, and although I did not see any news trucks, I did see a few large film cameras here and there.
There was a small LaRouche group and very few TeaBaggers. We’d seen a lone woman walking a few blocks away with a sign that read “stop using my taxes for union dues” (or something like that), but I wouldn’t be surprised if she ditched it when she saw the crowd.
Lisa in Bama
Long time reader, first time commenter. We had a small pro-choice Walk for Choice in Birmingham, Ala. I and one Planned Parenthood rep were the only people over college age. (I told her I was glad to see another mom). Great energy and enthusiasm from the young people, and we got a lot of positive responses from the people driving by. Except the one who yelled “baby killer” but this IS Alabama. There was a solidarity rally in Montgomery at the state capitol but I have not seen any reports.
My pro-choice sign was a riff on Alabama’s state motto: We dare defend our rights. I revised it to “I dare defend MY rights.” Bet the old time racists didn’t think of that interpretation but I’m keeping it.
Liberty60
@opie jeanne, formerly known as Jeanne Ringland:
The weather report had predicted torrential rain and freezing temperatures (LA translation- below room temperature);
Rain in LA is equal to that scene in Independence Day, you know, where cars slow down, and everyone gets out and looks up in terror and wonder at the sky.
In fact the day proved sunny and mild, but I suspect a lot of Angelenos were in hiding just to be safe.
DBass
I went to the rally in Madison this afternoon:
-Today was almost certainly the biggest crowd yet, despite a snow fall.
-Unlike last Saturday, there was almost no pro-Walker presence to speak of.
-Bradley Whitford had a good line at the mid-afternoon rally about how Sconnies are stubborn because they ice fish for fun.
-Today was the only time I’ve had to wait in line- about twenty minutes – to get into the capitol.
-As always, no violence, everyone was in high spirits. Great showing of cops, firemen, teachers. How can anyone be against these people?
Here are my pictures from today:
http://www.facebook.com/album.phpaid=278610&id=526683462&l=7463e48b64
DBass
Thoughts on attending the rally in Madison, WI this afternoon:
1. Today was almost certainly the biggest crowd yet, despite a snow fall.
2. Unlike last Saturday, there was almost no pro-Walker presence to speak of.
3. Bradley Whitford had a good line at the mid-afternoon rally about how Sconnies are stubborn because they ice fish for fun.
4. Today was the only time I’ve had to wait in line- about twenty minutes – to get into the capitol.
5. As always, no violence, everyone was in high spirits. Great showing of cops, firemen, teachers. How can anyone be against these people?
Here are my pictures from today:
http://www.facebook.com/album.phpaid=278610&id=526683462&l=7463e48b64
opie jeanne, formerly known as Jeanne Ringland
@justanotherjones: At what point does our salary stop being taxpayers’ money in their minds?
opie jeanne, formerly known as Jeanne Ringland
@Liberty60: I’m a native of LA county, I know how it is. Previous address was in Anaheim. We’ve been watching it snow all day here, near Seattle. We’re still sissies from SoCal so this is fascinating and feels REALLY COLD.
kideni
The Madison rally was HUGE. The inside of the Capitol was packed, as always, and the line to get in one door would stretch back and overlap to the line to get in another door. A few of the Assembly Dems spoke to the crowd, and apparently they have a few ideas to make things better. One of my favorite signs: “Gov. Walker: you saw our CHILDREN at this peaceful protest. How could you have even CONSIDERED planting trouble?”
Outside, there were so many marchers that there was a continuous mass of people on every side of the Capitol, which means we filled four extra long city blocks; it’s also possible to walk on the perimeter of the building itself, and that was full. We heard from Peter Yarrow (Peter, Paul, and Mary), who came up with some new lyrics for “Which Side Are You On?” that suited the situation; Bradley Whitford (a Madison native) and a couple of other Hollywood elitists/union members; and many Wisconsin union leaders, community leaders, and others. It was very cold and a light snow fell throughout the afternoon, but it was perfect.
As for moving people out of the Capitol tomorrow night, I hope it doesn’t turn sour. From what I’ve heard, the groups coordinating the occupation are OK with it, because the cleaning crew really needs to be able to get in there do their jobs. Once hearings start up again next week, people can just move back in, from what I understand.
susan
I was at the Denver rally. Nice crowd of people and appreciative and enthusiastic speakers.
I was surprised that no elected Democratic official participated.
At the end of the rally we were informed that our newly elected Dem gov John Hickenlooper was not among us.
We were also urged to call the Democratic leadership in Washington DC. and encourage them to support us.
Can you believe it? They need to be encouraged to support us!
What is wrong with these people? Do they not have ANY idea how hard union members work to get them elected?
We really need better Democrats!
srv
San Francisco, would guess over 1500.
A protest for Libya drew several hundred, and they marched down Market St.
TooManyJens
I couldn’t get to the rally in Springfield (80 miles away), but I saw this on a local news site:
Also, about 150 people rallied at the hotel in town where the Indiana Democrats are holed up.
alwhite
I will be sending pictures from St. Paul. Better crowd then I expected given the weather, somewhere north of 1k is my guess. It was snowing & near zero so thats not bad I guess. Didn’t take my camera so it is just cell phone shots, not great. two worth seeing though, both are great quotes I’ll provide below.
alwhite
It is the Republicans who have given us government that has been both corrupt and extravagant; aided the tax dodger and transferred his load to the taxpayer – you and me; made every function of state and national government subservient to the powerful special interests, and now they are shedding crocodile tears for the poor taxpayer.
MN Gov. Floyd B. Olson Oct. 3, 1932
Gov. Olson was the Farmer Labor Party candidate and a progressive with national credibility. He help to merge his party with the sate Dems & that is why they are the DFL Party in MN
alwhite
The question will arise, and arise in your day . . . Which shall rule – wealth or man; which shall lead – money or intellect; who shall fill public stations – educated and patriotic free men, or the feudal serfs of corporate capital?
Chief Justice Edward G Ryan Chief WI State Supreme Court 1873
Sam as it ever was, same as it ever was
Shelton Lankford
@JohnR: I estimate the turnout in Lawyer’s Mall closer to 300 – nothing to fight about though. Good energy from the crowd. It felt good to be part of an actual crowd instead of part of an email exercise.
Raul
My inlaws drove from Milwaukee to the fringe of Madison and then took a school bus in. For my dad-in-law to get on a school bus, any school bus ride of 25 minutes, after being a science teacher in the Milwaukee public schools for his entire milti-decade career is amazing.
Heck, for him to leave the recliner for several hours that don’t involve food is amazing.
Maybe the Walker overreach really is a turning point.
alwhite
@Raul:
From your lips to His noodely appendages
karen marie
Pictures from Providence, Rhode Island!
And video too!
I have to say, I am disappointed in the union turnout.
Michael Bersin
Drove in to Jefferson City early to cover the teabagger anti-labor rally outside the south side of the capitol (main entrance). They had a monster sound system and a sparse crowd. There was a speaker rambling on about the “communists” on the other side of the building. The organized labor rally was across from the north side of the capitol overlooking the Missouri River. There were 350 to 400 in attendance with a sound system that consisted of a barely audible bull horn. The important thing was showing up. Lots of good signs from the pro-labor folks. Photos here:
Rallies in Jefferson City, Saturday, Feb. 26th: organized labor or teabaggers – photos
comrade scott's agenda of rage
@Michael Bersin:
One thing about the din. As I was leaving and standing on Main St equidistant between the two sides of the Capitol, I was struck by the loud cheering from the pro-labor folks. They (we) were louder at that point than when I was standing in the crowd itself. Not bad. But it also shows how we end up doing things so half-assed at times, aka the bull horn.
One speaker did not the total lack of any “fearless state Dem leaders” at the rally. The crowd snorted and I quipped to the woman beside me “fearless Missouri Dem leaders is an oxymoron.”
Of course in that (my) part of Misery, Dems themselves are few and far between.