ROUND-UP OF RESPONSES TO THE DEMONSTRATIONS IN WISCONSIN

From Scout at First Draft, who is in the capitol in Madison, WI:

Life here

I'd like to give you some idea of what it is like here in the Capitol. It really is an incredible thing going on here. I remember last Thursday, when we thought there would be a Senate vote, people were packed in the Rotunda and in the Gallery outside the Senate. I was tweeting when someone tweeted it is so hot and water would be nice. Well it didn't take long and the water did appear.

That seemed to be the beginning of how this thing has been happening. When there is a need, it is met. Just a few days ago when pizza came in from Ian's it was put on a bench on the first floor of the rotunda. Now just a few days later a whole area has developed on the second floor to take care of people's needs. It is a no photo area so sorry I have no pics.

At one end of the hall begins the food. Before you do anything though you are told to use hand sanitizer provided in big bottles. There is bread and bagels and candy to name few items. There is water and coffee and soda. You move further down and there will be pizza or pasta or whatever has come in from one of Madison's fine and supportive establishments, paid for by you great people of the country and world. At the end of the hall is a First Aid/Nurses Station. In the middle of the hall is another hall running perpendicular which is a closed off hallway called the Family Space where parents and children can go.

Read the rest of Scout's post and see her pictures, one of which is posted above.

From the Episcopal Diocese of Milwaukee, Bishop Steven Miller's commentary on the demonstrations in Madison:

This past week we have also seen democracy at work in Wisconsin as thousands gathered in Madison in response to the Governor’s Budget Bill. Regardless of our individual positions on the bill before the Legislature and what steps are necessary to build a stronger and better Wisconsin, I believe we can all agree that our baptismal vow to “respect the dignity of every human being” is not served by a majority simply pushing through legislation because they have the votes necessary to do so. As Christians, it is our duty and call to make sure that everyone has a place at the table and every voice has the opportunity to be heard. Respecting the dignity of every human being requires taking the time to have honest and faithful conversation that respects the rights and freedoms of all.

We also are called to speak on behalf of the sick, the poor, the elderly, orphans, widows, and all those who live in the margins of our society. Matthew in his Gospel reminds us that in serving these we are serving the Lord Jesus himself. It would be a sin to balance our state budget on the backs of those who have the least.

From The Huffington Post:

The U.S. Catholic bishops on Thursday (Feb. 24) threw their moral weight behind the pro-union protesters in Wisconsin, saying the rights of workers do not abate in difficult economic times.

"The debates over worker representation and collective bargaining are not simply matters of ideology or power," said Bishop Stephen Blaire of Stockton, Calif., chairman of the U.S. bishops' committee on domestic justice, "but involve principles of justice, participation and how workers can have a voice in the workplace and economy."

Thanks to Lapin for the link to the HP article.