Ralliers vow to hold Walker’s feet to the fire on jobs

Monday, Jan. 3 was a significant day in Wisconsin. As Scott Walker stood in the rotunda of the State Capitol and was sworn in as Wisconsin’s 45th governor, more than 350 Milwaukeeans gathered outside to rally.

The group, comprised of members of the labor and the faith communities, gathered in an effort accountable for his promise to create good jobs in Milwaukee as well as to express their anger toward his decision to turn down the $810 million earmarked for high-speed rail.

The primary sponsors of Monday’s rally were MICAH, Good Jobs Livable Neighborhood, Voces De LA Frontera and the Milwaukee Area Labor Council.

Organizers said the rally was a part of an ongoing effort to hold Walker accountable to promote good jobs for Milwaukee. Governor Scott Walker has promised to create 250,000, despite his recent decision to reject $810 million stimulus grant that would have created a high-speed rail system and thousands of jobs.

During the rally, Sheila Cochran, Chief Operating Officer/Secretary-Treasurer Milwaukee Area Labor Council spoke directly to Gov. Walker as she addressed the cold, but determined group.

“I think it’s an absolute travesty that the man who is about to take the governorship of the state of Wisconsin would find victory in giving away $810 million dollars,” she said. “Aside from becoming the laughingstock of the rest of the nation, a lot of us just can’t understand why you’d give away a grant.”

Another speaker rallied the group by asking, “What do you want?”

The roaring crowd’s response: “JOBS.”

The Rev. Willie Brisco also addressed the crowd, saying Milwaukeeans want a livable wage in a safe secure environment to raise our children

Members of the group also delivered a letter to Scott Walker at an earlier breakfast inviting him to attend upcoming community meeting for a face-to-face discussion about his job creation plan.