Wisconsin Workers March to Reclaim Wisconsin

International solidarity delegation joins Wisconsinites to mark one year anniversary of united action against union-busting legislation

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Public Services International

Mar 09, 2012, 11:18 ET

MADISON, Wisconsin, March 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

One year after Governor Walker stripped hundreds of thousands of Wisconsinites of their union rights -- mothers, fathers, veterans, working people and community members will gather at the Capitol this weekend to continue to speak out and stand up against Governor Scott Walker's agenda. Trade union leaders from Australia and Canada will be among the thousands of people participating in anniversary candlelight vigils around the state on March 9, and a major rally in Madison on March 10.

"The facts are simple," says Phil Neuenfeldt, President of the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO. "Wisconsin is losing jobs while the nation gains them due to Governor Walker's policies. The people of Wisconsin are smart and, despite millions of out-of-state advertising dollars flooding our airwaves from Governor Walker's billionaire friends, people see that his agenda is not the path forward for success. One million people have signed a petition to recall the governor and reclaim our state. This marks one more step toward re-establishing democracy in Wisconsin."

The Reclaim Wisconsin march and rally will conclude a statewide Reclaim Wisconsin Tour which gave citizens a chance to speak out on the local community impact of the governor's job-killing budget and cuts to public service workers' rights. Candlelight vigils in communities across the state are scheduled to take place Friday evening to observe the loss of Wisconsin's long history of labor and management cooperation.

"From all the stories we've heard at Reclaim Wisconsin tour stops across the state, one thing is definitely clear," observes Stephanie Bloomingdale, Secretary-Treasurer, "working families in Wisconsin have endured a terrible year under Governor Walker's policies, but we refuse to let him silence our voices. The people of Wisconsin are committed to continuing the work to recall Walker, and we won't stop until we restore justice and equality for all Wisconsinites."

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SOURCE Public Services International