MADISON, WI--Hundreds of Wisconsinites will gather outside the capitol building in a makeshift tent city with the purpose of bearing witness to Republican's reckless action to crush education, healthcare and programs for senior citizens.

Nicknamed Walkerville" by a local activist - a reference to the tent cities created by Hoover's reckless actions during the Great Depression - those gathered are determined to remind Governor Walker that they will not remain silent while he makes bad choices for Wisconsin.

• Organizers have united around opposition to Walker's extreme budget, including:
• Cutting public education by $824 million while funneling $35 million to Milwaukee private schools
• Putting higher education out of reach for more students by cutting $250 million from the UW system
• Attacking low and moderate income households with more than $50 million in tax increases and cutting more than $500 million in Medicaid funding
• All the while, giving corporations and the wealthy more than $200 million in tax cuts

"As Wisconsinites, we cannot standby in silence while our friends, family and neighbors suffer at the hand of Governor Walker's bad choices for our state," explained Dian Palmer, a public health nurse from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. "I am here today because what I have heard from Governor Walker does not represent the Wisconsin that I believe in or that my fellow Wisconsinites believe in. And I am here to bear witness and ensure that our leaders do right by education, healthcare and programs for senior citizens."

While Wisconsin Republicans have signaled they will employ any means necessary to pass reckless legislation, protestors have made it clear they will continue to gather and hold leaders accountable.

"At the core of our democracy is the notion that elected leaders should act on the will of the people, not on the will of corporate interests," started Peter Rickman, a graduate student at University of Wisconsin-Madison. "But when our democracy is under assault, as Wisconsinites and as Americans we have a responsibility to stand up and say, 'no more."

Gathered outside the capitol are teachers, nurses, truck drivers, students and community members from across the state. Countless participants have promised to remain at the site twenty-four hours per day while budget legislation is discussed.

"Let's be clear: Walker's bad choices have consequences - serious consequences for our communities, our children, healthcare programs and senior citizens," explained Palmer. "While some Republicans would prefer we sleep through their reckless actions, we have made a decision to stand guard outside the capitol while they debate the future of our state."

EVENT DETAILS:

WHAT: "Walkerville" Tent City to hold Republicans accountable

WHEN: Setup begins Saturday night, public events begin Sunday, June 5th at 4.00 PM

WHERE: Capitol Square, Madison, Wisconsin

WHO: Teachers, nurses, truck drivers, students and community members

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