Submitted by Harriet Rowan on
This weekend, marks the one-year anniversary of the passage of Wisconsin's Act 10, the so-called "Budget Repair Bill" which stripped most public employee unions of their right to collectively bargain and sparked what has become known as the "Wisconsin Uprising." There will be a series of events in Wisconsin this weekend to mark the anniversary.
Candlelight Vigil Friday
The weekend of action begins on Friday March 9 with a candlelight vigil sponsored by We Are Wisconsin to "honor the passing of Wisconsin's great traditions -- labor peace, quality education, and caring for those in need." The candlelight vigil is set to take place on the State Street steps of the Capitol at 6 p.m.
Movie Premier Friday Night
Immediately following the candlelight vigil, at 7 p.m., is a sneak preview for the documentary "We Are Wisconsin" at the Orpheum Theater on State Street. You can see a preview of the movie here.
The documentary was filmed and directed by Amie Williams, an award-winning filmmaker who spent time in Wisconsin during February and March of 2011 documenting the uprising. The film follows six Wisconsinites as they rallied, slept, and organized at the Capitol.
"Reclaim Wisconsin" Rally Saturday
On Saturday March 10 at 1 p.m. there will be a Reclaim Wisconsin Rally Sponsored by We Are Wisconsin. The rally in Madison is the final event in a statewide Reclaim Wisconsin tour organized by the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO that has stopped and rallied supporters in cities across the state like La Crosse, Wausau, Racine and Milwaukee. The rally will begin at 1 p.m. at the State Street steps of the Capitol.
Musical guests will kick off the rally at 1 p.m. Sean Michael Dargan will perform his song "The Day Scott Walker is Recalled." Liam Gerner will also be performing.
Beginning at 2 p.m. well-known voices of the Wisconsin Uprising will speak, including but not limited to: Mahlon Mitchell, the president of the Professional Fire Fighters of Wisconsin; Phil Neuenfeldt, president of the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO; Lori Compas, leader of the effort to recall Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald and his recently-announced opponent; and John Nichols, Associate Editor of the Capital Times and author of the recently published book Uprising: How Wisconsin Renewed the Politics of Protest, from Madison to Wall Street.
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