2011 Wisconsin protests
The 2011 Wisconsin protests were a series of demonstrations in the state of Wisconsin in the United States beginning in February involving as many as 100,000 protesters opposing the 2011 Wisconsin Act 10, also called the "Wisconsin Budget Repair bill." The protests centered on the Wisconsin State Capitol in Madison, with satellite protests also occurring at other municipalities throughout the state. Demonstrations took place at various college campuses, including the University of Wisconsin–Madison and the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. After the collective bargaining bill was upheld by the Wisconsin Supreme Court on June 14, the number of protesters declined to about 1,000 within a couple days.
2011 Wisconsin protests | |||
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Part of 2011 United States public employee protests | |||
Thousands gather inside Madison Wisconsin's Capitol rotunda to protest Governor Walker's proposed bill. | |||
Date | February 14, 2011 – June 16, 2011 | ||
Location | Madison, Wisconsin, U.S. 43°4′29.6″N 89°23′8.2″W | ||
Caused by | Opposition to certain provisions in legislation (Budget Repair Bill) proposed by Governor Scott Walker to limit public employee collective bargaining and address a state budget shortfall. | ||
Methods | Protests, sit-ins, demonstrations, recall elections, quorum-busting | ||
Status | Active protests ended by late June 2011; several pending lawsuits | ||
Concessions | none; Budget Repair Bill passed; 2 Republican State Senators recalled from office (8/9/2011); 2 Democratic State Senators win recall elections on 8/16/11; Failed recall attempt of Governor Scott Walker. | ||
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Non-centralized leadership Wisconsin Democratic Legislature figures:
Wisconsin Senate 14 Wisconsin Republican Legislature figures:
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The protests were a major driving force for recall elections of state senators in 2011 and 2012, the failed recall of Governor Scott Walker in 2012 and a contentious Wisconsin Supreme Court election in 2011.