Changes

*'''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> MSNBC’s Ed Schultz kicked off media coverage of the Wisconsin protests by spending his show's hour focusing on the unprecedented people power being demonstrated in Wisconsin. Schultz said that this is a fight for the "soul of America." <ref> Sarah Seltzer, [http://www.alternet.org/newsandviews/article/477984/ed_schultz_hammers_home_the_importance_of_wisconsin_protests/ Ed Schultz Hammers Home the Importance of Wisconsin Protests], [http://www.alternet.org AlterNet], February 17, 2011 </ref> <ref> Chris Ariens, [http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/ed-schultz-to-broadcast-live-from-protests-in-wisconsin_b53627 Ed Schultz to Broadcast Live from Protests in Wisconsin], [http://www.mediabistro.com Media Bistro], February 17, 2011 </ref>

*'''February 17, 2011''' '''WI 14 LEAVE STATE.''' All 14 Senate Democrats flee across the state line to Illinois as efforts to amend the budget repair bill fail. 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 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>

*'''February 21, 2011''' Tom Morello, former Rage Against the Machine and Audioslave guitarist, joined other musicians first on the capitol steps then at a “Rally for Wisconsin Workers,” at the Monona Terrace. “The future of rights of working people in this country will be decided on the streets of Madison, Wisconsin,” said Morello. <ref> Kara Manning,[http://www.thealternateside.org/110220/tom_morello_heads_wisconsin_monday_workers_rally_and_concert Tom Morello Heads to Wisconsin on Monday for Workers Rally and Concert] February 21, 2011 </ref> Mahlon Mitchell, head of the Madison Firefighters, announced that Madison firefighters would be sleeping over in the capitol. <ref> Patricia Barden, [http://www.prwatch.org/news/2011/02/10093/wisconsin-protests-monday-february-21-2011 Wisconsin Protests, Monday, February 21, 2011], [http://www.prwatch.org PR Watch], February 21, 2011 </ref> Morello later cuts the track "Union Town" to financially aid Wisconsin unions. <ref> YOUTELLEMSTEVEDAVE, [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_8qrlyZKx4 Tom Morello - Wisconsin Protests - Speech and Union Song - Madison, WI 2-21-11], [http://www.youtube.com YouTube], February 21, 2011 </ref> <ref> SaveWorkers, [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5ZT71DxLuM Union Town by Tom Morello: The Nighwatchman], [http://www.youtube.com YouTube], April 27, 2011 </ref>