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On Feb. 16, more than 10,000 workers and students took over the
Wisconsin State Capitol Building in a dramatic action protesting the bill
promoted by Gov. Scott Walker that would strip public-sector workers of the
right to bargain collectively. The action was joined by other demonstrations and student walk-outs across the state. The following is an interview with
Samantha Hooser, a high school student from Oak Creek, Wis.
Liberation
News: We’re talking to Samantha
Hooser, who is a junior in high school in Oak Creek, Wis., where students just
walked out of school in solidarity with public-sector workers who are under
attack by Gov. Scott Walker. Samantha, good job! It must have been very
exciting.
Samantha
Hooser: It was. I just wanted to
stand up for something I believe in, so I did.
Liberation
News: Were you one of the organizers?
Samantha Hooser: There were a couple
kids who organized it and I heard about it. I was thinking about it, and
started telling the other students about it. I told them what time it was at
and told to meet up in front of the school. We called Fox News but they
couldn’t make it in time. We got everyone together in front of the school. Teachers
said to go back inside. We didn’t listen. We said we’re doing what we believe in
because we don’t think what Scott Walker is doing is right. Some people went
back inside, but about 100 people left the school.
Liberation
News: How many students are in your
school?
Samantha
Hooser: There are over 2,000 who are
in 9th to 12th grade.
Liberation
News: What grade are you in?
Samantha
Hooser: I’m a junior.
Liberation
News: So 100 students walked out?
Where did you go?
Samantha
Hooser: We were all outside the
school saying we don’t want Scott Walker to pass this law. We had to leave fast
because cops were coming saying we couldn’t leave the school. So we met back up
at this park close to the school. We were talking about how proud we are that
we did this. Then we went home instead of returning to school. We’re protesting
against the school because we want the teachers to keep their jobs and their
pay.
Liberation
News: Did you hear about what
happened at Capital Building in Madison? There were 10,000 people demonstrating.
Samantha
Hooser: That is so many people.
Liberation
News: When the workers were starting
to leave, the students said let’s keep going. They marched into the building
chanting “tax the rich” or “kill the bill.” They felt like the whole building
was shaking.
Samantha
Hooser: That is so cool.
Liberation
News: What happened after the protest?
Did anyone get in trouble?
Samantha
Hooser: Everyone left after fourth
hour during passing before the next class. When people left, they didn’t really
care about the consequences. The principal came on the announcements and said
anyone who leaves will get truancy tickets and full discipline. I thought are
they really going to do this or are they just trying to scare us, but I didn’t
care because I’m doing something I believe in. Everyone still went through with
it. Tomorrow we’re going to find out what the consequences are.
Liberation
News: Thank you, Samantha. Everyone
who believes in workers’ rights is very proud of you and the other students.
Check
back for a follow-up interview to find out what happens when the students
return to school tomorrow.
