Coast to Coast Solidarity

Twelve hours a day Joanie was watching television coverage of the Pro-Labor rallies in Madison, Wis. from her home in San Fransisco. She felt compassion and sense of solidarity with the protesters. One day she hops a flight to Madison and camps out in the Capitol building besides hundreds of others. She could no longer just sit at home and watch events unfold, she wanted to be there where the action was and help the labor movement defend its values.

While the vast majority of those protesting are Wisconsinites, there are a minority who represent states across the U.S. who come to show solidarity. A group of 500 hundred teachers flew in from L.A., union members drive up from Chicago and the Twin Cities, and people representing Massachusetts, Nevada, Iowa, Washington State have marched and protested with those from Wisconsin. I have heard a story about a state representative from Maine hopping in her car to drive to Madison, accumulating donations of food along the way.


What has driven some to travel so far is the belief in the movement for labor. That we must stand and defend union rights in Wisconsin or similar bills will be passed in numerous other states. The massive show of force and the courageous actions of the democratic legislatures has lead many to believe that we can win if we remain strong and united. By standing there in Madison they feel that are part of history while it unfolds and that they are helping us win.