Pictures from Wisconsin Rally

I apologize for their poor quality, and for the lack of quantity, but just wanted to share some pictures from the rally in Madison today. We got there when it was still early, so it was still filling up - and it really started to get packed later. The decibel level EXPLODED when Walker was on TV. We couldn't hear what he was saying, but judging from what I've read after the fact, that's a good thing. Also, included the sign I was carrying (still not sure if the pun worked as well as I wanted it to):

Thanks so much for sharing these! :applause:

Like I said, sorry they're a bit blurry - I probably should've cleaned the lens on my camera phone. And I would've taken a ton more, but I was getting caught up in the moment!

They're obviously not staged, let the rest of us know what it was like to be a part of this. Thanks so much for posting these and a belated welcome to DU! :toast: :hi:

...people were passionate, to be sure - but, at the same time, they were thanking on-duty-officers at every turn, the guy with the mic in the center reminded everyone at one point to refrain from writing on walls, people went around picking up loose trash (if there was any...none that I saw, though), there were long-haulers in make-shift beds here and there, and stations with volunteers handing out donated food. Later on (from around 5:30-6:00), it started getting shoulder-to-shoulder, and the atmosphere really started to pick-up. I wish I could remember some of the chants, but the one that comes to mind is "Negotiate. Don't dictate." (there were tons more, just can't remember them off the top of my head). The height of the excitement came when Walker came on TV - and, like I mentioned before, people almost blew the roof off that place.

The entire thing felt like being in a singular moment - and the moment really is infectious, and you can't help but feel deeply connected with everyone around you. It's hard to exactly describe, but it felt like standing in the middle of the perfect snapshot of humanity - firefighters, police offices, teachers, students, children, parents, grandparents, activists, pacifists of every race, color and creed - fighting for each other's basic rights. I especially enjoyed the signs recognizing solidarity with people from countries around the world (you can kind of make out one of the "Libya" posters fourth picture down on the left). In short, it was incredibly inspiring, and I was glad I could be part of it!

(and thanks for the warm welcome!)

As you can see, this is the number one concern on DU just now and everyone here is following events in Wisconsin with great interest and sympathy. Your experiences and perceptions are invaluable, since they're first-hand, not just a TV report or a news story... Thanks so much and, please, keep letting us know! Those of us hundreds of miles away are in your corner and with you in spirit! :fistbump:

And they are from Texas. Why, God, do the sorriest alpha males on the planet seem to come from here?


Thanks for posting the pictures. The Koch brothers need to be in the spotlight.

I think people are starting to catch on. At least, I hope so.

:hi:

:kick:

I thought this one was especially important... This member actually took part in the Wisconsin protests yesterday and took these pix himself! I figured that folks here would be extremely interested... :hi:

...were "This is what Democracy looks like!" and "The people united, will never be divided!"

Your first-hand knowledge about what's really happening is invaluable on this board... :hi: :kick: