Thousands of public employees in Wisconsin are protesting this week in response to Gov. Scott Walker’s attempt to strip public employee unions in the state of their collective bargaining rights and to reduce benefits to public workers.

Michael Keegan, President of People For the American Way, issued the following statement:

“Whatever Gov. Walker says, this debate is not about tightening the state’s belt in tough financial times: it’s about a blatant attempt to scapegoat hard-working Americans for problems that they did not cause, and to dismantle their right to organize. Unions have an important role to play in holding the government and corporations accountable for their actions. Public employees are our friends and neighbors.  They keep us safe, teach our children, and help better our communities every single day.  They deserve our support, not our contempt.

“Gov. Walker’s attempt to demonize public employees and bust their unions is a shameless attempt to silence an opposing voice and ignore the damage done by his own coddling of corporations and the wealthy.  We stand proudly with the Wisconsinites who are fighting to have their voices heard and to preserve their right to organize.”

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