Big Turnout at Public Budget Hearing In West Allis Wisconsin-over 1000 protest - VIDEO

[eowyn_of_rohan]

(I couldn't find this posted. Hope it's not a dupe)

Public Hearing On Budget Gets Big Turnout In West Allis
Committee Limited Number Of Speakers At Hearing

Monday April 11
WEST ALLIS, Wis. -- The Joint Committee on Finance held its third and most well-attended public hearing on Republican Gov. Scott Walker's state budget proposal near Milwaukee on Monday.

The turnout led to additional controversy after the committee decided to cut off public testimony after about 270 people signed up to speak.

...Each person coming to the hearing was given two minutes to speak when they registered, but by noon so many people had already registered that the co-chairs decided people could only submit written testimony.

Some residents didn't take it so well when they were informed of the change, and Democrats, who were already concerned the hearing wouldn't go past 6 p.m. despite having the room until midnight, cried foul.

"It's absolutely unconscionable that someone is coming at noon and told they can't speak," said state Rep. Tamara Grigsby, D-Milwaukee.

...Republicans said they couldn't keep the hearing going for hours.

...Several unions had planned events including an afternoon protest outside the hearing at State Fair Park. Following a 4:30 p.m. rally, the expo hall filled up and hundreds more people showed up to try to speak, but the co-chairs continued to say they would be ending the hearing at 6 p.m. and would share written testimony with the entire committee.

Another public hearing on the budget is planned for Neenah on Wednesday.

Following the public hearings, the committee will return to Madison to begin work on making changes to Walker's budget before sending it on to the state Senate and Assembly. We'll give them a BIG Welcome!

LINK TO VIDEO OF PROTEST - GOOD JOB WEST ALLIS!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntr1i1UZh4g

[murielm99]

1. I love Wisconsin.

Everyone needs to watch this video!

You may not win today. You may not win tomorrow. You may not seat Kloppenburg. They may even succeed in stealing a couple more elections. But you will win in the long run. Wisconsin, you are the first step in reclaiming our country.

[eowyn_of_rohan]

2. Thank you, murielm99 - this gives me hope

your message and the passionate turnouts at the budget hearings in Wisco these past 2 days. Nobody should doubt that protests and rallies are important. They energize us, invigorate us and give us strength to keep fighting. There has been quite a lull here in Madison, but I think it will pick back up. I'm proud of the Wisconsinites who showed up and spoke at these rallies.

[iwishiwas]

3. I heard RW radio show say HA HA-FOR all the hoopla and protests-

like at the Capitol in which thousands and thousands showed up--the show ups in West Allis was small (paraphasing). He was full of glee. I live an area with no Left radio (outside of Madison there are none-unless you tune into the computer).

[eowyn_of_rohan]

4. What a twit. The baggers have YET to have a showing at any of these rallies

I have read of not a single "counter protest" at the statewide hearings, nor was there a single RWer speaking at the one in Neenah today for the hour that I listened.

[iwishiwas]

5. I know. But, they DID show up for the April 5 Supreme Court vote in WI. I was

rather taken back by that vote. Guess us progressives needed to be awoken while they have been awake and did not need all the rallying.

[eowyn_of_rohan]

6. The rallying serves some very important functions

Gain attention to the issue
Raise awareness
Energize each other
etc

Remember, we are now fighting for a statewide hand recount. Then we'll see how many dems really showed up to vote.

[murielm99]

7. I spoke to my daughter in Madison this evening.

I was trying to get a handle on what the next step is in the Kloppenburg situation. She does not know. I can't fathom what is going on behind the scenes. What is her lawyer doing? Will she begin to raise money for a recount? Is there a deadline to ask for a recount? Will there be a federal investigation?

It can't end here. I am sure there is something fishy about this election, and all the fish are not in Brookfield or Waukesha County.

[eowyn_of_rohan]

8. Why were you surprised?

You have to realize there are a bunch of idiots out there, and also, possible election fraud (more likely than you thnk). Becaues you see huge rallies in one city doesn't mean you should assume that the war is won.