Reply #9: IT WAS GREAT!! Very satisfying. [View All]

[eowyn_of_rohan]

My estimate was about 200 people, another thought 250 and a third thought about 150. Strong contigency of State employees, good mix of ages, some young students, some old time Madisonians from the VietNam protest era...there was MUCH intensity of feeling among the crowd! It was like finally we had an outlet for all this pent up rage. Dozens of great, handmade signs, couple people wrapped in flags (one with cororate symbols relacing the stars), and one guy carried a voodoo doll of Cowboy dubya. Several people made speeches, a fair amount of yelliong and chanting, then some started calling for Kevin Kennedy (REPUBLICAN Elections Board director since early days of Thompson era) to come outside!

No one came out, so a bunch of women decided to go to him! Cameramen from 2 TV channels followed, and then other people kept streaming in. The office was filled with protestors. Kennedy was conveniently "at a doctor's appointment". One worker started nervously passing out the Election Board's FAQ list about the contract. Protestors countered with short speeches against the panicky, and demanded that we Not start a riot in there! People called back to her, reminding her of our right to speak. I'm really looking forward to seeing the TV news this evening.

This was a great start, and I don't doubt there will have to be more protests, but with the passion today, I am sure each crowd will be bigger and bigger. I am really fired up from it!!