This is what democracy looks like!

As soon as Governor Walker's budget repair bill was unveiled and the people of Wisconsin realized that we needed to make our voices heard, Madison became the epicenter of the country's most peaceful, vibrant and amazing protest that have gone on for weeks.

Cuts to our schools, our environment, health care accessibility and taking away the rights of so many hard working people was beyond comprehension and it was so exciting be part of such an inspiring movement to bring back humility, morality and justice to our political system.

The kids made signs and we joined other Thoreau families by hopping the bus and joining in the rally.





We of course burned lots of calories from marching around the capitol so we visited Pizza di roma several times over the weeks. It was fun just sitting at their window and watching the non- stop stream of families, city employees, Badger Care recipients and students holding their signs high and marching up to the capitol.



It was chilly and snowing but it didn't deter people from showing their support for the 14 Democrats who bravely left the state in order for the repair bill and all it's faults to be exposed. SO many clever signs that made you laugh/cry or both. They got better as the weeks went on. Below is one of my favorites.




Walking with our Fair Wisconsin and our friend Nathan and behind our senator Tammy Baldwin towards the capitol.

Above pic taken from the ground floor of the capitol rotunda. I would look down at H and B and see them belting out "THIS IS WHAT DEMOCRACY LOOKS LIKE" and I was SO proud of them. Protesters shared their bucket drums with the kids and let them wack away with the beat of the chants. While upstairs people would move aside on the balcony so the kids could peek down at the moving, chanting people down below.




Henry wanted so badly to sleep overnight and my one regret is that we didn't let him. There were plenty of rumors that the protests were growing tense and that the capitol would soon be closed so we decided against it and I went without kids with a friend of mine. Turns out it was a very peaceful night, with the drumming ending around 9:30 or 10 pm, to give the protesters time to mop the rotunda floor. So many had been living in the capitol for 2 weeks and it became a functioning little city complete with donated food, medical supplies and hope for a new day of politics. I never once felt threatened. I never once worried for anyone's safety.

We also came back for the Hands Around the Capitol where we were part of a human chain surrounding the capitol, joined by Miss Elspeth! Several people with video cameras stopped in front of the kids as they were yelling "Hey Hey Ho Ho Scott Walker's Got To Go"

Shannon, Liam and Rose wanted to see the rally for themselves and joined us for the Wisconsin Farmer Tractor parade! Here is what Henry wrote on his sign...

"No Bill has passed. Now fight back. No Governor Walker. Governor Walker is in the BAD section right now. Shame on Walker. "

How do you explain to your kids that the governor wants to cut money to public schools yet give money to private ones, or that he wants to loosen rules set for protecting our lakes from harmful chemicals, or that he wants to cut funding that helps those people that don't have health insurance? You can't......... so we just chat about what we believe makes a thriving, safe, and healthy world..... protecting our children, our environment and never leaving behind anyone who has less than we do.

They have learned so much these last few weeks that I hope will stay with them forever.

An injury to one is an injury to all.