"We Are All Wisconsin"

(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)

The white Capitol dome, the colorful noisy crowd, and even a light dusting of snow all contributed to the sense that Wisconsin had come to Washington yesterday. Some 2,000 DC area workers, students, religious and community allies jammed the Hall of States courtyard on Capitol Hill and spilled out into North Capitol Street at noon in an impressive display of solidarity as protests against Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker’s push for anti-union legislation continued in Madison and across the country. “This will be a domino effect,” said retired DC teacher – and WTU 6 member -- Jerome Brocks. “Ohio, Indiana…this thing will spread all over the nation if we don’t nip it in the bud right now!” Chanting, “Workers rights are human rights,” and “Two-four-six-eight, union rights in every state,” the fired-up crowd took over North Capitol Street as protestors blew whistles and waved signs showing their solidarity with public sector workers in Wisconsin and across the country. Citing similar assaults on workers’ rights in Montgomery County, corrections officer Katrina Hood – a member of UFCW/MCGEO 1994 -- told the crowd, “We need to come together for one stand and show these people that we’re not going to take this lying down!” She added, “These assaults on working people are in Wisconsin now but it’s coming to Montgomery County - it is going to be all across our nation. We’re standing up and fighting for what we believe in and we’re not backing down!” Peggy Dinkel, a nurse at the Washington Hospital Center, reported that her fellow union members – members of NNU – are planning a 1-day strike next week against a profitable management that’s threatening to impose an unfair contract. An emphatic Congresswoman Donna Edwards, fist in the air, told the cheering crowd that it was “an easy call” to stand with workers united against union-busting. “Some people want to say this is about cutting budgets and fixing deficits,” said Edwards, “This is about union-busting. Whether its in Wisconsin or Ohio or Indiana or right here, we will not stand for busting unions! When they attack federal workers, state workers, municipal workers and county workers and private workers, they attack every one of us. Scott Walker, you’ve got to go!” – report/photo (top) by Adam Wright; includes reporting & photo (bottom) by Chris Garlock