Amid the hoots, hollers and hyperbole, most of the leftie lodgers filling the carnivalesque Wisconsin state Capitol for two weeks have been cleared out. The nonstop drum-circle chant-a-thon squatting session that has briefly consumed the nation officially ended yesterday evening. Hundreds of protesters remained overnight, after police spent most of Sunday meeting with union leaders and encouraging provocateurs to leave peacefully.
As mob numbers dipped from several thousand to a few hundred, police announced those who remained could stay. No bedrolls or backpacks will be allowed if protesters come back into the Capitol when the building re-opens at 8 a.m. Permission to stay overnight in the Capitol will be re-evaluated every day. For two weeks, drum circles pounded, horns have blown, and rumor mongering has carried on into the night. The building’s limestone walls are covered with handmade posters assailing Scott Walker’s “dictatorship” and retrohippie 60s peace, free love and nonviolence mantras. And the atmosphere is thick and musty, with a stench putridly reminiscent of a high-school gym locker. Scattered among the crowd are homeless people, who have taken advantage of the free pizza and grub.
Sunday marked the 14th day of protests as thousands continued to voice opposition to Governor Scott Walker’s bid to end collective bargaining for state pensions and health insurance and increase employee contributions for both. Walker’s budget bill would eliminate most collective bargaining provisions for districts and teachers once their current bargaining agreement expires. He says the bill to close a $137 million budget shortfall this year needed to pass already to take advantage of debt refinancing.
