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Wisconsin post-recall protest attacked by cops

Published Jun 18, 2012 8:37 PM

With the recall win of right-wing Gov. Scott Walker on June 5, the capitalist ruling class thought it had finally crushed the opposition and had full reign in Wisconsin.

Members of Occupy Milwaukee and numerous other progressive organizations, however, answered on June 6 with a “Keep It in the Streets” rally and march in Milwaukee, while Occupy Madison held a protest at the state Capitol. Organizing for June 6 began weeks before the gubernatorial recall election between Walker and Democrat Tom Barrett, the Milwaukee mayor who was defeated in the recall.

A broad range of protesters participated, including those from the immigrant rights movement, the Black freedom struggle, unions, students, and anti-war, community and faith-based organizations. Many called for the need to build a completely independent, grassroots movement and pointed out how Barrett was a banker’s candidate.

Protesters made it clear that Walker and the 1% program of cutbacks, austerity, union busting, racism and war will continue to be fought in Wisconsin and beyond. Demands included: Repeal Act 10 — hands off unions and collective bargaining; no cuts to education or Badger Care; restore the Equal Pay Act — end workplace discrimination; tax the 1% — hold the banksters and the 1% accountable for their economic crisis; and stop the cuts that penalize working and oppressed people. Also raised were demands for living-wage jobs and a moratorium on foreclosures and evictions.

Gathering at Pere Marquette in downtown Milwaukee, numerous speakers declared the struggle against Walker and the 1% still in motion.

After the rally, as protesters stepped off for the one-mile-plus march to their final destination of Zeidler Park, they were attacked by the Milwaukee police on horseback, in vehicles, on bikes and on foot.

Cops beat & trample protesters

As protesters marched in the streets and on the sidewalks, they were struck with batons and trampled by horses at the cops’ direction. Refusing to back down against the police violence, protesters chanted, “Whose streets? Our streets!” and “This is what a police state looks like!” They continued to march on, despite injuries, four arrests and police attempts to tear banners out of their hands.

After making it to Zeidler Park, protesters denounced the police violence and again raised their demands. A diverse speakout took place, with speakers and cultural artists.

When Milwaukee Police Chief Ed Flynn came to the park in an attempt to justify the police violence, he was shouted down by protesters chanting “Police protect the 1%!” and other slogans.

Protesters began immediately mobilizing to aid the four arrestees by calling the city jail to inquire about their status and then going to the Milwaukee city jail.

Three of those arrested — Jacob Glicklitch, a member of the Milwaukee Graduate Assistants Association, American Federation of Teachers Local 2169; Paul Freund, of Students for a Democratic Society Milwaukee; and Benjamin Clifford, of Occupy Chicago — were released the morning of June 7 and charged with various municipal citations.

The fourth person arrested, Andrew Cox, was held in jail until June 8 and is being charged with a state misdemeanor charge of disorderly conduct. On June 7, an Occupy Milwaukee press conference at the Milwaukee County Courthouse demanded that Cox be released, all charges against the four be dropped, and police violence must end.

The four are fighting the charges with the assistance of the Occupy movement in Wisconsin. Those injured by the police violence on June 6 are pursuing various forms of legal action.

Bryan G. Pfeifer, an organizer with the Wisconsin Bail Out the People Movement, which endorsed and participated in June 6, told Workers World: “June 6 was an important historical moment in Wisconsin. We are inspired by the Egyptian and Greek workers who are fighting back against the bankers who are the real criminals, the ones who have caused the worldwide capitalist economic crisis responsible for so much pain and misery for working and oppressed peoples worldwide.

“Here in Wisconsin Scott Walker is attempting to implement Greek-style austerity to make the 1% even richer. We refuse to let this happen. June 6 must be the beginning of a new stage of the people’s uprising and fightback in Wisconsin.”

For updates and information on the continuing people’s uprising in Wisconsin, visit www.occupymilwaukee.org and www.wibailoutpeople.org.