Weekend and Monday’s Capitol Events

Monday is the anniversary of when Dr. Martin Luther King got shot, so the unions are pulling out the stops and wanting to get everyone to the capitol in a Memphis to Madison rally. Here’s the events they are promoting. And some others I think are of interest. And please, ask your favorite local candidate what kind of help they need this weekend, Monday and Tuesday as they struggle to get the word about about their candidacy with all these distractions. You can also now find these types of events in the events tab . . . . I update them as soon as I can, feel free to tell me when you have an event that you want added to the calendar! You should probably look there again later today, as I know of several more events I have yet to add.

UNION APPROVED EVENTS
SUNDAY
1:00 pm to 10:00 pm, the “Forward Wisconsin Fest”— a concert in Madison sponsored by IATSE, the local stagehands and musicians union, will kick off the day of action. The concert is taking place at the Barrymore Theatre.

MONDAY
2:00-3:45 there will be an afternoon of community, song and reflection taking place at the State Capitol as the Interfaith Coalition for Worker Justice of South Central Wisconsin host “Been to the Mountaintop: Striking a Chord for Justice.”

4:00 pm there will be a march from City Hall to the Capitol.

5:00-8:00 pm on the State St. steps of the Capitol there will be a rally “From Memphis to Madison Rally.” There will be performances Michelle Shocked, Michael Franti, and speeches by the Reverend Jesse Jackson and other leaders of the movement

5:00-8:00 pm, on the MLK Blvd side of the Capitol there will be a Candlelight Vigil, between the Capitol and Monona Terrace.

OTHER EVENTS – VARIOUS ORGANIZERS
FRIDAY
10 – 11:30 – On Friday, April 1 a delegation from Fools & Clowns, Local 1, will deliver a crown and scepter to Governor Scott Walker and read out the formal proclamation declaring him King of the Fools. The proclamation reads in part: “In the greatest fool tradition, he has willingly brought scorn and ridicule down upon himself. His comments and actions are so outrageous as to be comical. Clowns and fools everywhere should tip their hat to… this consummate pro. He acts just like a king. He doesn’t get bogged down by bureaucratic details like democracy and he makes up the rules as he goes.” The fool delegation will also distribute clown noses to Republican Senate members. “If you are going to act like a clown, you really should dress like one.” In addition they will leave a 24 hour timer for Senate Leader Fitzgerald, who has gotten into trouble of late because of his scheduling snafus. Any fools and clowns interested in participating should meet at Hamilton street entrance at 9:45am. Please come properly attired.

noon – Enjoy singing? Want a way to show continued support for the growing movement against Scott Walker and his allies and in favor of workers’ rights? Want to help to make sure our voices keep being heard by our legislators in Our House? Then come join the Solidarity Sing-Along every weekday from noon-1pm in the Capitol rotunda! Don’t think you can sing? That’s okay. People of all ages, from all walks of life, and of all degrees of singing ability have been joining us in the Capitol rotunda and making their voices heard. Songbooks are provided, so please join us for We Shall Overcome, Solidarity Forever, Union Maid, We Shall Not Be Moved and other best-loved songs from the labor and civil rights movements. And please make sure to invite all your friends. Send them the link to this Facebook page, or invite them from here so they can join us as well.

3 – 4:30 Rainbow Bookstore – A delegation of workers affiliated with the Mexican Electrical Workers Union of (SME) headed by Jose Humberto Montes de Oca, Secretary of the Interior of this organization, will participate this next Friday April 1st in the massive protest against the law that annuls the Collective Bargaining of the workers of the public services of Wisconsin to endorse their struggle. The SME have been 17 months fighting to recover their source of work that was “extinguished” by means of a presidential decree that left in the street more than 44 thousand working electricians and which had among other intentions to end the Collective Contract of Work of the SME. At the moment more than 16,500 workers who have rejected the liquidations that the government of Felipe Calderón offered, are staying firm in their intention to recover their jobs by means of legal and legislative routes, and by the social struggle of resistance. It is in this context that they have decided to endorse the demands of the workers of Wisconsin and to interchange experiences of struggles and to reinforce the bond of unity between workers in defense of their conquered rights. The Mexican delegation informs that at the moment it has a permanent “encampment” in the Zocalo square of the City of Mexico to demand a solution to his conflict and the freedom of Miguel Márquez Ríos, political prisoner of the Mexican Electrical Workers Union. This activity is the final part of a tour of the electrical workers through different cities of the United States to denounce the Mexican government as a violator of labor rights of the Mexican workers. Among other cities they visited are San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Pittsburgh, Toledo, Ohio, Cleveland and Washington DC where they had interviews with unionists, community leaders, congressmen and organizations of Mexican migrants. In this tour also participated Gilda Chacon representing the World Federation of Trade Unions from the sister republic of Cuba who addressed the subject of the ALBA (Bolivarian Alliance for Latin America).

5:00 – Bikers against Walker’s Budget Ride around the capital, like usual, from 5-7 pm. Possibly go for a beer after.

5:00 – Author Panel & Art Exhibit Labor Temple, 1602 S. Park St. Friday, April 1st 5:00 – 8:00 pm FREE and open to the public. Reception, program begins at 6:00pm. Poetry by M.L. Liebler. Photo Exhibit on the Migrant Worker Movement in Wisconsin in the 1960’s. Huck/Konopacki Labor Cartoon Exhibit. Special guest speakers on the “Madison Rebellion.” Labor authors including Macalester College history professor Peter Rachleff, Jane Slaughter of Labor Notes, Joe Burns, and Labor Journalist Steve Early. Refreshments.

SATURDAY
noon – Do you work, live, or shop at a cooperative? Join Union Cab of Madison Cooperative as we parade our cabs from Library Mall up State St. Last week we had a great turnout! Let’s do it again! Please join us at around noon, we’ll start marching when the cabs arrive, around 12:15pm. Invite your family and friends to march with us as we continue to show our solidarity and support labor. Join us with your signs, musical instruments, noisemakers, bullhorns, banners, batons and balloons. Everyone is welcome!

1:00 – Zombie Walk against Walker – Dress up like a zombie and make a clever sign. I would like everyone to meet near Urban Outfitters on State Street. I will be there at 1pm and start walking towards the Capitol at 1:15pm. Or you can do whatever suits you. I will be holding a sign saying; “Zombies Unite for Union Workers”. I have short bright pink hair and will most likely be wearing a black zip up hoodie and jeans.

SUNDAY
5:30 & 7 – ‘AT THE RIVER I STAND’ Univ. of Wisconsin Room 1111 Mosse Humanities Bldg ● Library Mall & Park Street ● Madison Dr. King gave his life to the cause of freedom and justice while defending the rights of workers to have jobs with dignity. Join us for an evening commemorating his life, legacy, and sacrifice. Two screenings; one hour each. Open to the public; free admission. Families are welcome. For more information, call (608) 442-8399.