Two weeks ago, while on a visit in Wisconsin, longtime social-rights activists Andrew Deppe and partner Stephen Weiser joined the ongoing worker's- and union-rights protest at the state's capital.
"We were there Thursday, March 10," said Deppe. "The day before, they had voted on Gov. [Scott] Walker's bill to sharply limit any kind of union rights or collective bargaining rights for public sector employees."
On March 9, the Senate was able to create an opportunity to vote on the controversial bill—which had drawn protestors to the capital for the past three weeks—without any of the 14 Democrats present, and on the following day the bill passed the assembly. [Note: On March 18, Circuit Court Judge Maryann Sumi blocked the law that would limit collective-bargaining rights for public unions.]
The mood was split March 10 according to Deppe, with many people remaining positive and hopeful, while others were becoming more concerned due to the Republicans' legislative maneuvering. However, it remained a peaceful protest.
"There were people who were very anxious and distressed about the current maneuverings in the legislature and the fact that Republicans had figured out parliamentary ways of going ahead and doing what they wanted without the Democrats even present," Deppe said.
For Deppe and Weiser, joining in and showing their solidarity for worker and union rights were important and necessary. The pair has been involved in many protests over the years, including protests with the AIDS group ACT UP and demonstrations against the Iraq War.
"We were concerned about labor union rights and worker rights and the fact that the Republican Party in this country has really moved much farther to the right," Deppe said. "Some of the first things that fascists did in Italy, Spain and Germany in the 1930s were to lock up all the political opposition.
"A lot of the same language and rhetoric that we are hearing now in Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana and other places, it's very similar to 1930s Europe—and it's a little frightening."
Deppe pointed to history as a lesson that needs to be revisited. He said, "Well, as one of the bumper stickers said, 'Unions brought you the weekend.' A lot of other countries still have child labor, unsafe working conditions. They have people with no benefits or job security. A lot of that has been eroded here over time too. People died so that we could have basic benefits and working conditions, time off and a 40-hour workweek. I think people forget that."
The maneuvering by Republicans on this bill has drawn a diverse crowd of protesters and it continues to draw attention from workers and unions in other states who are concerned over how this bill could be adopted in their own state. Deppe said he saw young, old, gay, straight, men and women there, but he was most excited by the young people attending the protests.
"I was very impressed with the articulation and political awareness of some of these young people I think that's a very hopeful sign. I haven't seen that in a long time."
Deppe said that on the day he and Weiser were at the capitol, a group of high school students had left school and marched up State Street, entering the capitol in protest of the bill.
He believes that this issue is particularly engaging because it does hit so close to home for people. Even if someone is not in a union, he or she likely has a family member, friend or neighbor who is.
Deppe said in that respect it is similar to protests during the '80s, when the government was not responding to the HIV/AIDS crisis and the LGBT community and allies were trying to bring attention to the issue and get the government to take action. People knew others who were affected and they connected with the fight.
Deppe believes that social movements really need that personal connection: "As we've done in other social change movements, trying to make some common cause based on our experience really helps people. 'I know what it's like to be discriminated against.'"
He pointed to the ongoing battles the LGBT community faces and engages in for equal rights: "The connection between LGBT rights and rights of working people, I think there should be some connection and solidarity there. We, as the queer community, are people who know what it's like to have your rights taken away or not acknowledged."
Deppe plans to continue his involvement in future protests for workers rights. On the evening he spoke to Windy City Times, he was heading to join other Chicagoans in a solidarity protest against the bill.
