It is being referred to as Tahrir in Madison and there is a call for thousands of workers to attend protests in Wisconsin.

MADISON, Wis. – Schools in Madison were closed Wednesday as hundreds of teachers joined thousands of people at the state Capitol to protest Governor Scott Walker’s plan to strip workers’ rights.
The Wisconsin State Journal reported schools had closed because many teachers called in sick so they could participate in protests for a second day. On Tuesday, some 15,000 people massed inside the Capitol and on the grounds to oppose the Republican governor’s plan to eliminate collective bargaining rights for many of the state’s public employees.

Hearings were under way Wednesday on Walker’s proposal in the Republican-controlled Legislature.

Under Walker’s plan, unions could still represent workers, but could not seek pay increases above the Consumer Price Index unless approved by a public referendum. Unions also could not force employees to pay dues and would have to hold annual votes to stay organized. Local police, firefighters and state troopers – all of whom endorsed Walker in the 2010 election – would retain their collective bargaining rights.

Walker said he will not negotiate any changes to his plan and if the Legislature doesn’t pass it, he will force massive layoffs, crippling state services and costing thousands of jobs. He has also threatened to call in the National Guard against workers.

Protests appear to have spread from the Mideast to the Midwest

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