Illinois unions rally in Chicago for public workers

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.sj-r.com/breaking/x1485957420/Illinois-unions-rally-in-Chicago-for-public-workers

By Staff reports
The Associated Press

Posted Apr 10, 2011 @ 12:15 PM

CHICAGO — Clutching homemade signs and chanting pro-union cheers, thousands of people gathered in downtown Chicago yesterday to show their support of public employees.

Demonstrators attending the “We Are One” rally at Daley Plaza voiced concerns about legislation they say threatens the future of unions.

Kathleen Strand, spokeswoman for the Illinois Federation of Teachers, said at least 20 organizations, including the Chicago Federation of Labor and the Illinois AFL-CIO, gathered for the event.

“It was an incredible outpouring of support from thousands of working people across Illinois standing in solidarity of the assault on America’s middle class,” she said.

Chicago Police Lt. Bob Klich estimated between 5,000 and 6,000 people attended the rally, which was the culmination of two other events held that morning. Organizers said upward of 10,000 people, including thousands from across the state, attended.

Wisconsin Sen. Chris Larson, who spoke briefly about how he and 13 other Democratic lawmakers fled to Illinois during a closely-watched collective bargaining rights debate in his home state, said the union movement “is just getting started.”

FULL story at link.