1,109
edits
Changes
SW: →Wisconsin Protest Timeline: flee
*'''February 15, 2011''' '''THE OCCUPATION BEGINS.''' Protesters attend afternoon and evening rallies at the capitol and the occupation of the capitol building begins. State officials estimate the crowd at 10,000 outside, 3,000 inside, starting the mass protests seen in the coming weeks. <ref> Jeff Mayers, [http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/02/15/us-wisconsin-protests-idUSTRE71E7BY20110215 Thousands of Wisconsin Union Workers Protest Budget Plan]</ref> Assembly Democrats begin hearings on the budget repair bill, requiring the capitol building to be open to the public under the Wisconsin Constitution. Protesters begin to occupy the capitol building. They would occupy the building for 17 nights and 18 days. Firefighters and police joined the rally for the first time. They were accompanied by the sound of thousands of cheering voices as they entered the Capitol building. <ref> [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWH0Jc-0Z94 Firefighters Join Labor Rally-Madison 2-16-11], [http://www.youtube.com Youtube], February 16, 2011 </ref>
*'''February 16, 2011''' '''TEACHERS WALK OUT.''' The budget repair bill passes out of committee and heads to the Senate and another estimated 20,000 protesters attend the daily rallies. Madison schools are also closed as more than half of teachers call in sick, thousands of parents and students of all ages join their teachers at rallies at the state capitol. <ref> David Dayen [http://news.firedoglake.com/2011/02/17/in-wisconsin-budget-repair-bill-passes-committee-mass-teacher-walkouts-planned/ In Wisconsin, Budget Repair Bill Passes Committee; Mass Teacher Walkouts Planned], [http://news.firedoglake.com/ FireDogLake], February 17, 2011 </ref>
*'''February 17, 2011 '''WI 14 LEAVE STATE.''' All 14 Senate Democrats flee across the state line to Illinois in as efforts to block a Senate vote on amend the budget repair bill failsfail. Assembly Republicans also convene a floor session before the scheduled start time, preventing Democrats from introducing amendments. <ref> Jackie Larkin [http://ballotnews.org/2011/02/18/14-democratic-senators-flee-wisconsin-teachers-strike-for-second-day-in-a-row/ Democrat Senators Flee Wisconsin, teachers strike for second day in a row], [http://www.ballotnews.org Ballot News], February 18, 2011 </ref> Seven people are arrested in teh Senate Gallery, two others arrested that day. <ref> [http://www.channel3000.com/news/26902948/detail.html Nine arrested as Capitol protests continue], [http://www.channel3000.com], February 17, 2011 </ref> Assembly Democrats began a continuous hearing to listen to public testimony. This would last for weeks. <ref> Patricia Barden [http://www.prwatch.org/news/2011/02/10085/wisconsin-protests-thursday-february-17-2011 Wisconsin Protests. Thursday, February 17, 2011], [http://www.prwatch.org PR Watch], February 17, 2011 </ref> People set-up blankets and sleeping bags at the state Capitol for an all-night vigil as testimony continued. <ref> Scott Bauer, Todd Richmond, [http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/41624142/ns/politics-more_politics/t/thousands-protest-wisconsin-anti-union-bill/#.TymJjM05vDU Thousands Protest Wisconsin anti-union bill], [http://www.msnbc.msn.com MSNBC], February 2, 2011 </ref>
*'''February 18, 2011''' CONCESSIONS OFFERED. Leaders from [[AFSCME]] and the WEAC announced their willingness to accept the financial concessions called for in Gov. [[Scott Walker]]’s bill, but said they would not accept the loss of collective bargaining rights. <ref>Dee J. Hall, [http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/article_a05349be-3be1-11e0-b0a1-001cc4c002e0.html Opposing Sides Meet as Capitol Protests enter Sixth Day], [http://www.host.madison.com/wsj Wisconsin State Journal], February 19, 2011 </ref> An estimated 40,000 people attend Capitol Square rallies. Speakers include AFL-CIO national president [[Richard L. Trumka]] and the [[Rev. Jesse Jackson]]. <ref> Clay Barbour [http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/article_7e07902c-3bd2-11e0-8e38-001cc4c03286.html National Battle Over Union Rights Playing out in Wisconsin], [http://www.madison.com Madison.com], February 19, 2011 </ref>
*'''February 19, 2011''' Police estimate a crowd of 68,000 people attended the Saturday rally at capitol. Madison police commend all attendees for a peaceful gathering. <ref> Dee J. Hall, Mary Spicuzza, Clay Barbour [http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/article_a05349be-3be1-11e0-b0a1-001cc4c002e0.html Opposing Sides meet as Capitol enter sixth day], [http://www.madison.com Madison.com], February 19, 2011 </ref>