The South African Civil Society Information Service

Inspired by Events in Egypt, 100,000 Protest in America

2 Mar 2011

Inspired by Events on Tahrir Square, Egypt - American protestors have occupied the state building for 15 days in Madison, Wisconsin, in protest against anti-union legislation that would make collective bargaining illegal for public sector unions.

On Saturday, 100,000 people packed the streets of Madison in the largest rally seen in years, as they challenged Republican governor, Scott Walker's attempt to strip public employees of their rights.

Protests have entered their third week -- and this is the biggest protest action America has seen in years, yet the rally received little attention from corporate media.

For views directly from the 100,000 strong rally in Madison, watch the Democracy Now clip above.

People from all over the world have been supporting the Madison protestors by ordering pizza from a local pizzeria to sustain activists and unionists. Reports have emerged that Egyptians who occupied Tahrir Square also showed their support for the Madison protestors by placing online orders for pizza to be delivered to the activists in America.

Meanwhile, Paul Jay of the Real News Network, paints a fascinating picture of the number of billionaires living in Wisconsin whose tax burden has been eased while the middle and working classes have been targeted for austerity measures by state authorities

Laura Flanders of GRITtv held an extensive interview with actor/activist, Michael Moore, who says he always knew that "sooner or later, people would just say that they have had enough."

Photo of Egyptian support for Wisconsin: twitpic

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