Like many, I've been watching the events in Wisconsin over the last week as the governor there attempts to strip public employee unions of their collective bargaining rights and to cut benefits (all the while cutting taxes on corporations and the wealthy). Faith leaders have been standing up to support the unions, I'm happy to note. However, it has been deeply concerning to learn that Governor Scott Walker considered the possibility of planting troublemakers among the peaceful union protesters to apparently incite violence.
The Wisconsin State Journal reports today that the Madison police chief is also concerned about the governor's plans, which were captured on a prank telephone call yesterday:
Madison Police Chief Noble Wray Thursday asked Gov. Scott Walker to explain his "troubling" and "unsettling" statements captured in a secretly recorded phone conversation that he "thought about" planting troublemakers among the thousands of peaceful demonstrators at the Capitol.
The protests, heading into their 11th day, are aimed at a bill Walker proposed to strip most bargaining rights from state and local unionized employees in Wisconsin.
"I spent a good deal of time overnight thinking about Governor Walker's response, during his news conference yesterday (Wednesday), to the suggestion that his administration 'thought about' planting troublemakers among those who are peacefully protesting his bill," Wray said in a statement issued this morning." I would like to hear more of an explanation from Governor Walker as to what exactly was being considered, and to what degree it was discussed by his cabinet members.
"I find it very unsettling and troubling that anyone would consider creating safety risks for our citizens and law enforcement officers. Our department works hard dialoging with those who are exercising their First Amendment right, those from both sides of the issue, to make sure we are doing everything we can to ensure they can demonstrate safely.
"I am concerned that anyone would try to undermine these relationships. I have a responsibility to the community, and to the men and women of this department — who are working long hours protecting and serving this community — to find out more about what was being considered by state leaders."
How far did this plan go? Did the governor carry out any initiatives to incite violence? Were other people involved? Were state resources used? This should be a matter for city, state and federal investigators.
Religion News Service reports the protests have drawn the support of religious leaders:
The pro-union rallies in Wisconsin have a retro feel to them -- particularly for people of faith.
Clergy and faith-based groups were historically on the front lines of the American labor movement, but priorities shifted with the rise of the religious right and the weakening of unions. In the Wisconsin protests over the governor's budget proposal to reduce collective-bargaining rights for teachers and other public-sector employees, however, religious voices have re-entered the fray.
Groups like Faith in Public Life and Interfaith Worker Justice have mobilized coalitions that include Protestants and Muslims, in addition to the Catholics and Jews that dominated pro-union efforts in previous generations. Clergy have led invocations and prayer vigils throughout Wisconsin, written letters and sent delegations to meet with Republican lawmakers. An Illinois church and synagogue even offered sanctuary to the 14 Democrat state senators who fled on Feb. 16 rather than vote on Gov. Scott Walker's bill. (None of them had turned up at the houses of worship, as of Feb. 23.)
Interfaith Worker Justice has compiled statements affirming the right to organize from more than a dozen denominations.
"We're making this a bigger issue than just the workers involved. We're making it a moral issue, and that it's more than just fighting over pensions," said Rabbi Renee Bauer, director of Interfaith Coalition for Worker Justice of South Central Wisconsin. "We're hoping that if lawmakers hear from religious leaders, it'll help them have a change of heart."
Wisconsin public employees have already agreed to pay and benefit cuts but have drawn the line at losing forever their collective bargaining power. The governor has refused that compromise. In doing so - and in considering violent acts - Governor Walker has shown that this isn't a fight about balancing a state budget: his goal is to kill off the unions and to limit for all time the power of working people to advocate for themselves and their state.
Americans have strongly backed the unions in this dispute (61% polled support collective bargaining - despite what you might have heard on FOX News).
What happens in Wisconsin may help determine the fate of workers across the United States.
