On Feb. 26, hundreds of people holding handmade signs with phrases such as “Beware of the JabberWalker” and “Kill the Bill” flooded the state capitol to show support for the public workers in Wisconsin.These are the workers who are in danger of losing the same rights that allowed Illinois workers to assemble in Springfield Saturday.

The bill in question is Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker’s budget repair bill, which would strip the majority of public workers of their collective bargaining rights.

Walker’s budget repair bill, which is focused on tackling the $137 million Wisconsin deficit, awaits voting from the senate.However, Democrats have fled to Illinois and have not returned despite Walker’s threat to increase the $4.2 billion proposed spending cuts with their continued absence, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported Tuesday.

Several members of Eastern’s chapter of University Professionals of Illinois were in attendance for the “Springfield rally for the American Dream,” organized by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

This led to the inspiration for the Eastern’s own support rally, which will take place on campus at 4 p.m. today on the south end of Booth Library.

Among those in attendance in Springfield were history professor Bailey Young, who said the chilly day in the state capital was a memorable experience.

He said he especially enjoyed the handmade protest signs, in particular, one that featured ’60s artist Andy Warhol stating “Gov. Walker, your 15 minutes are up.”

Young said members of UPI/EIU were determined “not to just stick (their) heads in the sand” and show their support. He added many of Wisconsin’s workers were also able to make it to the rally.

At the rally, NAACP President Teresa Haley reminded the protestors the reason they had the opportunity to make it down to Springfield on a Saturday was due to unions’ efforts to establish a five-day work week.

Young said it was a very inspiring atmosphere to be a part of.

“There definitely was a strong momentum – people understood what was at stake,” Young said.”What (unions) are trying to do is to make people understand that if Walker gets away with this kind of thing in Wisconsin . they will just keep pressing ahead and that is not good news for most of us.”

English Professor John Allison, UPI/EIU chapter president, also attended the rally and said he was very proud so many of Illinois’ public workers could come together to support those in Wisconsin.

Young said “feeling that commitment and determination on the part of all of these people” was the most memorable aspect of the rally in Springfield.

Shelley Holmgren can be reached at 581-2812 or meholmgren@eiu.edu.