Category: Happenings

Recall Petitions – Resolution Efforts in WI 10th District

Local Resolutions of support for Wisconsin worker rights, and petition efforts for the recall of  Sheila Harsdorf, Wi. 10th Senate District Republican Senator are taking place across the district. The 10th District (map) runs from Burnett county in the North, to Pierce county in the South, and extends along the I94 corridor to Menomonie.  This includes towns; Grantsburg, Frederick, Luck,  St. Croix Falls, Amery, New Richmond, Clear Lake, Hudson, River Falls, Prescott, Baldwin, and Ellsworth.

Events are listed and information about aiding these efforts through recallharsdorf.com, and the AFT – Wisconsin, local coordinator:

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Massive Madison Rally Marks Return of Fab 14

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Saturday I worked out a carpool ride to Madison with three social workers. All worked in Dakota County, MN. government, but two had just retired and one lives in, and commutes from, WI. It was great to meet some new people and hear their stories and thoughts on recent labor history on the way to Madison. We arrived in Madison shortly after noon, knowing we had missed the tractor parade. We had a report the Capitol Square was already packed, and as expected, we had to park about a half mile out to find a spot!

Approaching State Street, in the center of the March!

This rally had been called for before the Wednesday passage of the controversial collective bargaining restriction bill, (see legal filing in opposition) and so this rally was predicted to be the largest yet, and it was. Conservatively, a 100,000 people were there.  I don’t doubt it, people who were there early for the Farmers parade were streaming out,  as we arrived. The eight city blocks surrounding the square were packed, from commercial buildings across and onto the Capitol sidewalk, easily twice what was there last Saturday. The area immediately around the Capitol was filled with people as well. Many photos are deceptive as protesters were trying to avoid the Capitol lawn, after criticism it was being damaged by the thousands present.

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30-40k Keep Pressure on Wisconsin Governor – Editorial

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View from Speakers Podium

I had no idea what to expect at the Madison Capitol square on  Saturday.  There was so little Twin Cities media coverage after last weeks massive rally that I thought protests might all be over.  Wrong!   Somehow ‘only’ 30 -40k citizens converging on the State Capitol in brisk winter conditions to  speak out against Governor Scott Walker’s plan to curtail collective bargaining  has become ‘ordinary’, and not significantly newsworthy.

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Every out-state protester, marching with a sign identifying their home town, got a cheer from the sidewalk.  Continue reading →

Deadlines loom for Paganicon

Although Pagan festivals are nothing new to the Twin Cities area, an indoor convention with soft beds, flushing toilets, and central air and heating is.  Paganicon, a three day Pagan convention, starts March 25th.  There are some deadlines coming up that Con organizers would like the community to know about.

Pre-registration for Paganicon ends March 4th.  You can register on-line here.  Once this date passes, you will need to register at the door on March 25th at a higher rate.  Pre-registration is encouraged as there is a cap on attendance.  On;y 250 people can attend this first Paganicon.

If you are planning on staying at the host hotel and wish to take advantage of the special room block rate, you need to make your reservations by March 4th.  More information on hotel reservations can be found here.

The last deadline that Paganicon organizers want you to be aware of is the deadline to request advertising in the program book or
to sponsor Paganicon. This deadline is the same date as the other three, March 4th.

Paganicon organizers say they’ve received more programming submissions then they could find slots for, the vendor area is completely reserved, and several great entertainment acts are scheduled.  If you would like to look at the interactive schedule you can do so here.

What: Paganicon
Where: Doubletree Park Place in St. Louis Park, MN
When: March 25-27
Web: http://tcpaganpride.org/paganicon/

Sacred Temple Violated in Wisconsin – Editorial

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I am a resident of Wisconsin, have been for 35 years now. I am 230 miles from the state capitol building in Madison, but I have spent a lot of time there. I used to exhibit at Art on the Square, and found it a magnificent place to find cool summer comfort and relief, and explore the history of my adopted state.

This building is an inspirational symbol,  is  a National Historic Landmark since 2001, and  has been systematically restored to its 1917 appearance over the last thirty years, inside and out. It is such a source of pride in WI, that a 1990 state law prevents any building within one mile of the capitol from being taller than the base of the columns surrounding and supporting its dome. It can be seen for many miles. Continue reading →