UPDATED with some new photos.
Several thousand people rally in front of Michigan’s Capitol building. A great turnout and LOTS of Snyder recall petitions being signed. There had to have been at least 5,000 people there. Maybe more. I was able to catch a bit of it. Here are some photos. Enjoy.
Click the photo for a bigger version.
Approaching the Capitol Bldg. about 4:45 pm
Getting closer (sorry for the finger)
Day-um!
From the Capitol Steps, looking straight down Michigan Avenue
Stage right
Stage left
From behind the crowd
Needless to say, a LOT of Rick Snyder recall petitions got signed today.
A. LOT.
My post about the media silence on this event and complete lack of coverage by the Detroit News and the Detroit Free Press HERE.
Here is We ARE the People’s press release from the event:
THOUSANDS OF TEACHERS, PARENTS, STUDENTS RALLY AT STATE CAPITOL TO PROTEST EDUCATION CUTS
Citizens ready to take fight back to lawmakers’ home districtsLANSING – Over 6,000 teachers, parents and students from across Michigan gathered at the State Capitol today for a rally to protest major cuts to education in Gov. Rick Snyder’s 2012 budget. With the Legislature just days away from approving more than $500 million in cuts to local schools and universities, the group vowed to take the fight back to lawmakers’ home districts to let residents know how the cuts would hurt working and middle class families.
“The fight over the budget may soon be over, but the fight to protect and strengthen the middle class is just beginning,” said Laura Kropp, a Utica teacher, Mt. Clemens school board member and small business owner who spoke at the rally. “If the politicians won’t listen to us here in Lansing, then we’re prepared to take this fight back to their home districts to let residents know how these cuts to education would hurt working families. We are the people of Michigan, and it’s time for our leaders to stop the power struggles, protect our schools, and start working together to create jobs.”
This was the third major rally at the State Capitol in the past three months. Speakers included UAW President Bob King, Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero, as well as teachers, parents and students from across the state.
Over the past three weeks, local workers and residents have gone door-to-door in the districts of State Representatives Paul Scott (R-Grand Blanc), Pat Somerville (R-Huron Twp) and Rick Olson (R-York Twp) to discuss their recent votes to cut education and reduce unemployment benefits for Michigan workers. More community activities are planned in legislators’ districts throughout the spring, following the final passage of the 2012 budget.
Flint Journal: Area teachers knocking on doors to share concerns about Rep. Paul Scott
“Grand Blanc teachers and residents unhappy with Rep. Paul Scott, R-Grand Blanc, have been going door to door to share their concerns.”Southgate News-Herald: Around the capitol “Residents and workers went door to door in Somerville’s district to tell their neighbors about how his vote would hurt working and middle class families.”
# # # We Are the People is a diverse coalition of students, seniors, workers, families and organizations fighting to protect Michigan’s middle class.
