On Feb. 21, more than 1,000 public workers and their
supporters gathered in Olympia, Wash., at the statehouse to protest budget cuts
and stand in solidarity with the workers’ struggle in Wisconsin.
The workers circled the building, covered the outer stairs
and filled the rotunda and balconies inside the Capitol building. Many union
members were visible by their matching colored T-shirts: green for AFSCME,
purple for SEIU. Washington Federation of Teachers had a strong presence as did
the Teamsters.
Gov. Chris Gregoire (D) has proposed massive budget cuts
totaling $4.6 billion, which will slash virtually every segment of state
spending including health coverage for the working poor, tax support for state
parks, Disability Lifeline grants, Children’s Health Program, class-size
reduction in K-4, and more.
Washington is one of the few states that does not have a
state income tax. State and local services are funded through property taxes
and sales taxes, which are inherently regressive.
Voices of solidarity
Liberation News spoke with people at the demonstration and asked them
why they had come out.
Shakarla Scott brought her young daughter in a stroller into
the Capitol building rotunda. “I am here to support the AFT so I can get my
daughter a better education and stop the budget cuts because they affect us
all.”
Bill and Sandy Warmouth traveled from Anacortes, Wash. Bill
held a sign reading, “A little Cairo goes a long way.” Sandy explained that
they were there “to support the unions and bring the message to Congress to
balance the budget through fair taxation, not budget cuts.”
Kathryn Brignac and Josie Jarvis are students from The
Evergreen State College in Olympia and members of a student club, Greeners for
Choice. They held a sign reading, “Solidarity with Wisconsin Workers and Women!
No more attacks on our rights!”
Jarvis explained, “I am concerned about the trajectory of
the country, the lack of funding for public services and the attacks on women’s
rights.”
Jason and Carmen Call are public school teachers from
Marysville who brought their two young children. Jason said, “We’re here not
just for the teachers, but we’re in solidarity with the workers in Wisconsin,
because if they get busted there then we are next.”
Kathleen Steoger of Sammamish is unemployed. She said, “I
came to support the workers in Wisconsin. I feel that Wisconsin is Ground Zero
for working people today.”
It is clear that the courage of the workers in Wisconsin is
inspiring workers in Washington state to come forward and raise their voices.
