Clarisse McClellan's Daughter

I was on the square for the third day running this morning. It truly was a mass of humanity, 25000 strong at the last estimate. We were literally shoulder to shoulder, all races, ages, economic classes; teachers, nurses, ironworkers, state employees like me, parents with kids in strollers, people who could've been my grandmother, students. People were arriving by the busload even after the rally had started, and they just kept streaming and streaming up toward the square. A huge contingent of firefighters was marching a circuit around the capitol, and you could tell where they were by following the cheering. The current mayor and his opponent in April were both there; Mayor Dave was shaking hands and clapping shoulders, including mine. I saluted him, and I wasn't alone, according to the friend I was with.

Now I've heard that the 14 Democratic senators have staged a walk-out of their own to delay the vote. They're out of the area, straight out of the state, and of course Republicans are furious. Too damn bad, say I. All 14 Dems left out of respect for the democratic process, out of respect for the people they serve, which is more respect than Walker's shone it or us since taking over--oops, I mean taking office. Wherever you 14 are now, thank you. Stay safe, please, don't break down, and don't get caught.

My teacher mother's just walked in. I'm going to go hug her, now. 'Scuze me.