WISCONSINRecall races show potential for mass struggle
Published Aug 4, 2011 8:32 PMThe Wisconsin AFL-CIO and other labor, community and student organizations are mobilizing for the next recall elections on Aug. 9. They are aiming to oust six union-busting, pro-austerity Republican state senators.
At July 26 Wisconsin AFL-CIO ‘Truth Tour’ stop
at the Milwaukee County Labor CouncilWW photos: Bryan G. PfeiferThe right-wingers passed a draconian state budget in June, which makes the deepest cuts to schools, health care and communities in Wisconsin history. It raises taxes on seniors and working families by $70 million, while providing $300 million in corporate giveaways. African Americans, Latinos/as, women, children and the elderly, already hit hardest by the economic crisis, will be plunged into destitution if these cuts aren’t resisted and pushed back.
Thousands of workers and community members are knocking on doors, protesting and joining in actions such as the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO’s week-long “Truth Tour.” The statewide campaign began at the Teamster Hall in Green Bay on July 16 and will continue through early August.
At July 30 Milwaukee Committee To Stop FBI
Repression meeting, Tom Burke, left,
Professor Ahmed Mbalia.This mobilization provides a forum for those impacted by Wall Street’s austerity measures to speak out. It is also building support for the recall campaigns and increasing solidarity among labor, community and student organizations.
“We are mighty in thought, presence and the work we are doing every day,” said Sheila Cochran, secretary-treasurer of the Milwaukee Area Labor Council, on July 26 at the tour’s labor council stop. Cochran noted, “They call us special interest. They are right. We do have the special interest of the working people of Wisconsin in mind.” (http://wisaflcio.typepad.com/)
Mahlon Mitchell, president of the Wisconsin firefighters union, told the crowd, “We have to keep taking it to the streets. Let’s keep fighting. Solidarity.”
