2011 Wisconsin Protests

WHO/WHAT: A picture of the 2011 Wisconsin protests, fighting against the 2011 Wisconsin act 10, aka the "Wisconsin Budget Repair bill". Which dealt with the large deficit Wisconsin was facing, by taking it out on the public sectors in areas specifically such as retirement, sick leave, and payment. The outraged people in the picture are all protesters gathered at the Wisconsin State Capitol building in the city of Madison.

WHEN: The protests lasted from early February till the bill was passed on June 14, which caused a sharp decline protester support.

WHERE: Wisconsin State Capitol, in Madison.

WHY: The people in this movement met up to protest legislature that they believed to be unjust in their eyes. They are reacting to the governors ideas on how to deal with the $137 million dollar deficit, which involved requiring workers to pay more for their health care and wages. Along with trying to drastically shorten the amount of flexibility within bargaining rights for unions, and forcing them to only discuss basic wages.

IDENTITY: The people of this movement gained identity through their sheer numbers involved, during their peak the group had around 100,000 followers, all united in the stand against laws that they believed were unjust and unfair. Although the protest was not successful in the end, the movement did pick up a lot of traction once it was filling the State Capitol building every day for a duration of this movement.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/17/us/17wisconsin.html?_r=0