Crowds led by UW-Madison's Teaching Assistants' Association marched on the Capitol Tuesday to demonstrate their continued dissatisfaction one year after the first major protest against Gov. Scott Walker's reforms.
Starting at Memorial Union, Tuesday's rally took the same route down State Street and toward the Capitol as last year's "I ? UW" Valentine's Day march, the event credited as the spark that led to the historic protests last spring.
"It's a lot of nostalgia," said Leland Pan, a UW-Madison student and candidate for Dane County District Board 5, who was at last year's march. He said he was happy with Tuesday's turnout, numbering in the hundreds.
"I think it shows that the UW Madison community really does understand that this fight is still ongoing," Pan said. "Our university is still under attack by those in power and we need to defend it."
ASM chair Allie Gardner speculated Tuesday's event could lead to more protests, like last year's Valentines Day march did.
"Before it was about fighting for what they had and now it's about fighting for what they have lost," Gardner said. "Especially for students, because now we just saw our tuition go up again, we're seeing our programs getting cut."
But College Republicans Chair Jeff Snow said protesters should realize Gov. Scott Walker's reforms actually saved local municipalities and school districts over $900 million.
"Their continued protests speak to the fact that they only care about reinstating their abusive collective bargaining privileges that have held the state of Wisconsin hostage," Snow said.
Late last year, tensions between the Department of Administration and protesters heightened when the DOA implemented a rule requiring event organizers inside the State Capitol to apply for a permit.
While Alex Hanna, co-President of TAA, said coordinators of Tuesday's event had the necessary paperwork, some conflict ensued between Capitol Police and the protestors Tuesday after organizers were told to turn off an amplifier they were using. The crowd chanted "Shame!" at Capitol police.
Wisconsin Capitol Police Chief Charles Tubbs said the amplifier interfered with wedding ceremonies happening in the capitol at the same time.
"We've got weddings to honor. But we can't honor them when this is going on," Tubbs said.
Video coverage of the protest can be viewed here.
A photo gallery of the protest can be viewed here.
