"Maryland To Wisconsin, We Are One"

(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)

As the fight against union-busting continues to swell across America, hundreds of workers galvanized support from local communities as they stood shoulder-to-shoulder outside Maryland’s State Capitol at noon today chanting, “Maryland to Wisconsin, we are one!” and “This is what democracy looks like!” “We are all with Wisconsin today,” said John Rickard (right), an ironworker from Baltimore. “We’re here to build a stronger America. Without the collective bargaining and without our voice to discuss our lives, our futures, our childrens’ futures, we don’t have a voice. And if they kill our voice, they kill us!” Congresswoman Donna Edwards said that she was more than proud to stand in solidarity with the workers of Wisconsin – whose collective bargaining rights are under attack by Governor Scott Walker – saying, “Public and private sector workers know that there has been a real assault on American workers – not just now but for the last two decades.” She added, “The American worker has had to sacrifice wages and benefits while jobs go off our shores. Meanwhile, the wealthiest 2% just keep getting wealthier. This is a real fight for workers in Wisconsin, and its a fight and struggle for workers all across this country. We’re not going to let that divide-and-conquer strategy work. We’re standing for all working people who deserve decent wages, a decent workplace, and they deserve the ability to bargain collectively for their rights. It is as fundamental a freedom as any freedoms we know.”
– report/photos by Adam Wright