In response to Wisconsin’s newly-elected Tea Party governor Scott Walker’s budget proposal, MoveOn released the emergency action alert which appears below, requesting our help to support workers not only in Wisconsin but across the nation. It has been reported that hundreds of thousands of regular Wisconsinites—teachers, firefighters, police officers, students, and others—have taken to the streets of Madison. These Wisconsin residents have occupied their state capitol building for the last 7 days and nights. In support of workers, MoveOn is helping to lead an emergency call for rallies in every state capital this Saturday at noon to support workers in Wisconsin and oppose attacks on programs that hurt workers, wherever they occur.
The citizens occupying the Wisconsin state capital building communicates that working people -- with their countless allies, students, seniors, women's organizations, and more -- are inspired and ready to fight. Additionally, it sends a clear and unequivocal message to the right-wing politicians and those in the media suggesting further concessions from working people. Working people did not create the recession or the budgetary crisis facing federal, state and local governments, and there can be no more concessions.
It should be apparent to all that the right wants to scapegoat workers and their unions, and is trying to exploit the economic crisis for an all-out assault on unions, public employees, and all working people in a campaign that is funded by right-wing, corporate billionaires. It is apparent that their goal is to break unions and silence the voice of all working people to fight for better working conditions and improved standards for all workers.
As referenced in the action alert released by MoveOn, the Wisconsin Governor’s proposed state budget is NOT simply about that state. There will be a ripple effect felt around the country. In state capitals across the country, and in Washington, D.C., Republicans are using the poor state of the economy as an excuse to slash vital programs and hurt workers. Consequently, some argue that the American Dream itself is under attack.
MoveOn’s emergency action alert reads as follows “…50-State Mobilization to Save the American Dream. Calling all students, teachers, union members, workers, patriots, public servants, unemployed folks, progressives, and people of conscience:
In Wisconsin and around our country, the American Dream is under fierce attack. Instead of creating jobs, Republicans are giving tax breaks to corporations and the very rich, and then cutting funding for education, police, emergency response and vital human services. The right to organize is on the chopping block. The American Dream is slipping out of reach for more and more Americans, and we have to fight back.
We call for emergency rallies in front of every statehouse this Saturday at noon to stand in solidarity with the people of Wisconsin. Demand an end to the attacks on workers' rights and public services across the country. Demand investment, to create decent jobs for the millions of people who desperately want to work. And demand that the rich and powerful pay their fair share.
We are all Wisconsin.
We are all Americans.
Add your endorsement and this Saturday we will stand together to save the American Dream. P.S. In addition to allies like PCCC, Color of Change, CREDO Action, Democracy for America, Campaign for Community Change, National People's Action, TrueMajority, US Action, Progressive Majority, and Courage Campaign, green jobs visionary Van Jones has joined this call to action as well…”
MoveOn’s emergency action alert asks that recipients of the action alert share the content of that document with family, friends, colleagues, and others. Secondly, the alert asks for emergency rallies in front of every statehouse this Saturday at noon to stand in solidarity with the people of Wisconsin. Share the information contained in the action alert and join the movement to demand that: the rich and powerful pay their fair share of taxes; and investment to create decent jobs for the millions of people who desperately want to work.
Photo Credit: Microsoft Clip Art
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