Wisconsin lawmaker Sondy Pope threatened with arrest at Capitol for observing Solidarity Sing Along

[Pharaoh]

State Rep. Sondy Pope (D-Middleton) was threatened with arrest Tuesday for watching the Solidarity Sing Along from the floor above the noontime protest.

Tia Nelson, executive secretary of the Board of Commissioners of Public Lands, who was standing with Pope, was also threatened with arrest.

Nelson said she had stopped to observe the sing-along after leaving a meeting at the Capitol.

"I was told [by a Capitol Police officer] that if I didn't move I was subject to arrest," said Nelson. "They were also telling tourists that."

Nelson said she had no idea she would be subject to arrest just for observing the protest, which has targeted Gov. Scott Walker’s policies each weekday at the Capitol since March 11, 2011.

"I've never joined the protest. I'm here doing my work."

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http://www.thedailypage.com/daily/article.php?article=40587

[charmay]

1. Walker and his goons are beyond disgusting.

[Bjorn Against]

2. I wish she would have told them they were going to have to arrest her

The shitstorm that would follow the arrest of a state legislator for the crime of listening to their constituents would be a hell of a lot more damaging to Walker than it would be to Pope.

[niyad]

3. "let me call a camera crew over here while you arrest me. . . oh wait, you will probably arrest them

as well"

I wonder how long walker and his goons think this crap can go on without a major backlash. (sudden insight--just realized who the idiot mayor of this community is taking lessons from)

[Bjorn Against]

4. The massive lawsuits will probably start being filed right before he is up for reelection

The longer he keeps doing this shit the more people will be able to sue. If the state is having to fight millions of dollars in lawsuits over this as they likely will it is going to become an election issue.

[mick063]

5. Republicans are their own worst enemy.

The liberal tsunami is over the horizon.

[annm4peace]

6. And the Vets for Peace National Convention

starts in Madison today.

I can't wait for the Vets to head over to the Capitol. Wish I was there.

http://www.veteransforpeace.org/

You don't have to be a Vet to go to the Convention or to some of their events.

Just saw this for those in WI.. on the Vets for Peace website.

The poetry reading event will be held

Wed, Aug 8 - 8:00pm - 10:30pm
Room of One's Own Bookstore
315 W. Gorham Street
Madison, WI

4 blocks from Madison Concourse Hotel and Governors Club

There is a 10 minute limit..

*****
Here is a list of the events. click on the link to see it better

http://www.vfpnationalconvention.org/2013%20Convention/Program%20Book%202013%20program.pdf

[Divernan]

7. Here's a letter from an old classmate who's with Solidarity Sing Along

She's 72 years old - a physician/philanthropist. I worry every day about her safety.

To the Department of Administration, State of Wisconsin.

Dear Colleagues,

I am writing in support of the efforts of the Solidarity Sing Along to maintain citizen consciousness in Wisconsin and in our nation; I don’t believe this activity should be restrained in any way. I see it as the ember of hope that we, the people, will once again have a voice in the future of the United States of America.

We are enormously out-resourced and out-powered by forces beyond our control: corporations whose only goal is taking money from the workers who actually earn it and “investing” (read, gambling) it in the casinos of commerce. The new restrictions are a manifestation of exactly where the power lies, and the desperation to which the feudal lords have succumbed. The only way we can counter this is by speaking—and singing—truth to power. Our society is becoming a place where Jesus would be very angry about the treatment of the poor.

The Solidarity Sing Along started as a way to focus the energies arising with the outpouring of response to the perceived betrayal of our ideals by Governor Scott Walker and his fellow money-suckers. It continues as a place-holder for democracy in a world we hardly recognize. The therapeutic value of singing our hearts out is what keeps us engaged and gives us hope.

Yes, we have our rowdies—but they’re OUR rowdies, and are committed to non-violence, as we all are. What they may lack by way of finesse or vocabulary, they more than make up for in spirit (and decibels). We try always to be respectful of the rights of ALL.

We’re still here. Wherever else we may be, we’re still here.

Yours for the life of our country,

[niyad]

10. that is a wonderful letter. would you consider posting it as its own OP so we can rec it?

[Divernan]

11. OK - posted it in General Discussion, w/a little more detail about the author.

[niyad]

12. thank you

[HereSince1628]

8. Sing no evil, hear no evil singing, see no evil singers

There must be an editorial cartoon possible along those lines using Walker and the Fitz's as the monkeys.

[socialist_n_TN]

9. Oh well, maybe next time........

there will be a militant response (general strike? It WAS talked about, even if not very seriously) to one of these situations rather than putting everything in the "recall" basket.

[Tx4obama]

13. Kick! n/t