Thousands of state workers, teachers and others have descended upon the state legislature halls in Madison Wisconsin to protest Governor Scott Walker’s austerity budget and spending cuts. The protesters are particularly incensed by Walker’s proposal to undercut the power and authority of worker unions.

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Wisconsin protests
Protesters pack the Wisconsin Capitol building in Madison during the spring of 2011 to denounce a law restricting public-sector unions' collective bargaining rights. Reuters
Wisconsin Protests
Protestors crowd the State capitol building as members of the Wisconsin state government discuss the proposed bill by Republican Governor Scott Walker in Madison, Wisconsin, February 18, 2011. The proposal by Walker to curb the bargaining rights of public unions in order to make immediate budget savings has sparked outrage among union workers in the state Reuters
Wisconsin Protests
State Assembly Democrats walk through a crowd of supporters after speaking in the Assembly to voice their opinion against the proposed bill by Republican Governor Scott Walker in Madison, Wisconsin, February 18, 2011. Reuters
Wisconsin Protests
State Assembly Democrats leave after speaking in the Assembly to voice their opinion against the proposed bill by Republican Governor Walker in Madison Reuters
Wisconsin Protests
State Assembly Democrats walk through a crowd of supporters after speaking in the Assembly to voice their opinion against the proposed bill by Republican Governor Walker in Madison Reuters
Wisconsin protests
A member of the State Assembly Democrats waves as supporters cheer after the party spoke in the Assembly to voice their opinion against the proposed bill by Republican Governor Walker in Madison Reuters
Wisconsin protests
Protestors crowd the State capitol building as members of the Wisconsin state government discuss the proposed bill by Republican Governor Walker in Madison Reuters
Wisconsin protests
State Assembly Republicans leave the floor as State Assembly Democrats voice their opinion against the proposed bill by Republican Governor Walker in Madison Reuters
Wisconsin protests
State assembly Republicans clap as they applaud the State assembly Democrats for showing up to work to discuss the proposed bill by Republican Governor Scott Walker, in Madison Reuters
Wisconsin protests Union Unrest