105,000 Petitions Signed in Four Days: This Is What Momentum Looks Like

By Kristian Anker-Møller

At 12.01am Tuesday night, the historic grassroots effort to recall governor Scott Walker began and within 48 hours 50,000 Wisconsinites had signed petitions to set the tone for today's massive rally at the State Capitol in Madison.

A huge turnout of volunteers at the Majestic witnessed the surprise appearance of former senator Russ Feingold who ended an energizing speech with the question, "Where can I sign?" From then on, people started milling into the Capitol Square, marching, chanting and singing their discontent with Scott Walker. At 1pm, speakers took to the stage at the steps in front of the Capitol, and true to the nature of the movement it was ordinary, hardworking Wisconsinites who spoke: a welder, a forklift driver, two students, a teacher. They told how Scott Walker and his GOP cronies' attack on workers' rights, education and healthcare are hurting families all over the state.

Toward the end of her speech, teacher Heather DuBois Bourenane's could announce two astonishing numbers: first, that more than 40,000 people had showed up to voice their frustration with Walker's power grabs. And second, that in just four days, more than 105,000 Wisconsinites had signed recall petitions, a number that does not include the thousands of petitions that were likely gathered at the rally.

40,000 people showing up at the rally and 105,000 petitions signed in just four days. This is how deeply felt the opposition to Scott Walker is, and this is how strong the movement to recall him is. And this is what momentum looks like.