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Here’s a notice that has been sent out to members of the Association of Retired Teachers of Connecticut, about the big rally scheduled for Saturday at the state Capitol. It will be a follow-up demonstration to the “solidarity” rally from the other day in which 500 union members and supporters protested the GOP attacks on state-worker unions in Wisconsin. This protest, which will be taking place around the country as well, is called “Save the American Dream.” ,
Here’s the notice: ” Whatever you’ve got planned for Saturday afternoon, reschedule it. Teachers, nurses, firefighters, students, police officers and others protesting in Wisconsin have occupied the Capitol building and streets of Madison for the past nine days. On Saturday at noon, their protest is going national. In cities across the nation, including every state capital, we’ll come together to stand in solidarity with the people of Wisconsin. This time the Republicans have gone too far in their attempts to bust unions, slash state budgets, and give tax breaks to their wealthy friends. So on Saturday we’ll stand up to say that we’re sick of the attacks on workers’ rights. That we’re sick of an economy that showers corporate executives with bonuses while squeezing middle-class families. That we still believe in the American Dream. And that we’re willing to fight for it. Can you make it to the rally in your area? We’re putting everything we’ve got into one massive display of solidarity nationwide. We’ll all show up wearing Wisconsin Badger colors: red and white. And if we can get huge crowds across the nation, it’ll send a clear message that progressives are fired up and ready to go. Until this week, Republicans have dominated the debate over the economy—with Washington arguing about which vital programs to slash, instead of how to create jobs and help the middle class. Now the Republicans are threatening to shut down the government next week in order to force Democrats to agree to devastating cuts to NPR, the EPA, food aid to hungry kids, clean energy research, AmeriCorps and more. But thanks to the folks braving the cold in Wisconsin, that could all change. This is an opening to call out the Republican game plan for what it is: a brazen effort to use a wrecked economy as an excuse to reward the rich and powerful while destroying 50 years of democratic progress. That’s why we’ve come together with a huge coalition of progressive organizations—from the Netroots to the labor movement, environmental groups to community organizations—to show our strength and make sure the folks in Wisconsin know that millions of people across the country are standing with them
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