Friday rally
by Pete Talbot
Montana’s governor isn’t Wisconsin’s Republican Gov. Scott Walker. And there aren’t quite the same union-busting laws being advanced by either the executive or legislative branch here in Montana. But there’s potential for a Wisconsin-like rally on Friday, April Fool’s Day, in Helena.
This is very apropos, considering the many foolish bills, radical cuts and a special session offered up by the Republican majority during this legislature.
The rally is scheduled from noon to 1 p.m. at the Capitol. Here’s some background from the Havre Daily News.
One of the organizers of the event, Molly Moody, said the rally represents union members, community leaders, neighbors, teachers, firefighters, nurses, snowplow drivers, health workers, business owners, conservationists, cowboys, police officers …
No one is sure what the turnout will be yet. Buses are being chartered in Billings, Bozeman, Butte, Havre, Great Falls, Kalispell and Missoula, so I’m betting it’s larger the March 3 Tea Party rally. I know I’m going.
Update — here’s a press release from some friends in the education community:
NEWS ADVISORY
Momentum building for ‘No Fooling With our Future RALLY’
April 1, State Capitol, Helena
Well over 1000 people have pledged to come to the April 1st “No Fooling with our Future Rally” against the Montana Legislature’s budget cuts, and hundreds more are expected to attend.
Buses, vans, and carpools are bringing Montanans from Billings, Bozeman, Butte, Great Falls, Havre, Kalispell, and Boulder. Folks are coming from as far away as Miles City to the rally.
WHEN: Friday, April 1, 12:00 Noon
WHERE: State Capitol in Helena, north steps (outdoors)
WHAT: Rally calling on the Montana Legislature to reverse its needless cuts to public services and education. The rally will include music (singers, American Indian drummers) and speakers.
Following the rally, participants will circle the capitol.
WHO: The rally is sponsored by the Partnership for Montana’s Future, a large, broad-based, and growing coalition of Montana groups, including Montana clergy; small business owners; union members; conservationists; human rights groups; advocates for children, low-income people, the elderly, and people with disabilities; the American Indian community, and others.
Other participants in the rally include firefighters, nurses, students, and veterans.
WHY: The legislature’s budget cuts will hurt Montana’s people and destroy hundreds of existing jobs. The ripple effects will hurt local economies across the state. Revenue estimates show the state has enough money to fund state services and education at current levels – without raising anyone’s taxes.
April 1 rally participants will call on the legislature to reverse its cuts and pass the governor’s budget, which is balanced and austere. The money is there!
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March 29, 2011 at 3:08 pm
I’ll be there ! via Bus from Billings… Ap 1st
Schweitzer may not be a Walker narcissistic authoritarian – however he is DLC. and the DLC / Neo-libs have drug the Dem party down to Capitalist bottom… IE ObamanationINC
The DLC disbanded a few weeks back after years of Capitalizing on the Working Class… They in and of themselves are the Arch enemy of Liberalism. These DLC scum will morph somewhere else.
The DLC= Democratic Leadership Council/3rd Way/New Democrats etc Baucus would be a perfect template of a pond scum DLC pig.
March 29, 2011 at 4:15 pm
Public Employees will be there – including me! Red arm bands for participants – appropriate or too much?
March 29, 2011 at 7:04 pm
Red arm bands too much? Oh, I dunno, is the hammer and sickle optional?
March 29, 2011 at 10:42 pm
I dunno. Is a swastika with a big K for your Kock brothers appropriate for a moron like you, Beenscum?
March 31, 2011 at 8:51 am
I would approve of the hammer and sickle – or something more modern. Marxism isn’t a bad word in my book.
March 29, 2011 at 8:05 pm
There are going to be over 1,000 MONTANAN’s at the No Fooling With Our Future Rally……NOON Capitol steps! Don’t miss this event – biggest rally in years – I PROMISE!
March 29, 2011 at 11:28 pm
Expect more rallys of this nature as the elections heat up next year – even more so if nothing significant changes before then on either the job/housing situation or the budget. Unrest is a given right now and the Tea Party was given the oppurtunity to do something – they screwed the pooch pretty big time. The next group will be of a different flavor but the unrest and dis-satisfaction expressed will be just as real.
March 30, 2011 at 8:18 am
All aboard the bus.
http://i979.photobucket.com/albums/ae277/RAPH6969/WSB.jpg
March 30, 2011 at 2:36 pm
Nothing is more tragic than a person who thinks he’s a comic and fails so miserably at being funny.
March 30, 2011 at 7:05 pm
It’s a tough crowd here, but all my buddies loved it.
March 31, 2011 at 8:13 am
I think that April Fools day is an appropriate day for this rally. Carry On.
March 31, 2011 at 9:46 am
I agree, Eric. Considering all the foolish bills being advanced by the GOP, April Fool’s is the perfect day for this rally.
March 31, 2011 at 1:03 pm
I have several yards of red and black fabric. I’ll be cutting it into arm bands tonight. Look for me tomorrow if you’re at the rally and want one or two!