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→Wisconsin Protest Timeline: move walker image up
*'''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> 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>
[[Image:WalkersWalker.JPG|150px|left]]
*'''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 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> Governor [[Scott Walker]] was booed at the Madison, WI restaurant The Merchant. One of the owners politely asked Walker to leave. A bartender said "his presence was causing a disturbance to the other customers and management asked him to leave." <ref> [http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x510736 Scott Walker Asked to Leave Local Restaurant], [http://www.democraticunderground.com Democratic Underground], accessed February 12, 2012 </ref>
*'''February 23, 2011''' '''KOCH CALL.''' A prank phone call was made to Gov. [[Scott Walker]] from editor of The Buffalo Beast, Ian Murphy who pretended to be [[David Koch]], a prime funder of Walker’s campaign. <ref> Mary Spicuzza [http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/article_7f7b33ce-3f6e-11e0-b629-001cc4c002e0.html Walker pranked by caller posing as billionaire David Koch], [http://host.madison.com/wsj/ Wisconsin State Journal], February 23, 2011 </ref>
*'''February 24, 2011''' Republicans and Democrats in the Wisconsin Assembly agreed to a deal shortly before dawn on Thursday morning that sets the stage for a vote the bill.<ref> Brendan Fischer [http://www.prwatch.org/news/2011/02/10142/wisconsin-protests-thursday-february-24-2011 Wisconsin Protests, Thursday, February 24, 2011], [http://www.prwatch.org PR Watch], February 24, 2011 </ref>
*'''February 26, 2011''' Another nationally televised protest, CNN estimates 100,000-125,000 people descended on the capitol grounds. <ref> [http://www.prwatch.org/news/2011/02/10151/wisconsin-protests-saturday-february-26-2011 Wisconsin Protests, Saturday, February 26, 2011], [http://www/prwatch.org PR Watch], February 26, 2011 </ref>
*'''February 27, 2011''' The capitol building was scheduled to be cleared of protesters. A religious delegation arrived to witness. No forcible eviction took place. In an [http://www.clipsandcomment.com/2011/02/27/transcript-wi-gov-scott-walker-interviewed-on-meet-the-press-february-27-2011/ interview] with [[Meet the Press]] Gov. Walker said he did not believe the unions were sincere in offering the pension and health care concessions. <ref> Dean Robbins [http://www.thedailypage.com/daily/article.php?article=32524 Embattled Walker stands up to aggressive questioning on Meet the Press], [http://www.thedailypage.com The Daily Page], February 27, 2011 </ref>