Jeff Winder and his 14 year old son made the 16 hour trip to Madison, Wisconsin on Wednesday. After hearing the inspiring news of workers filling the capitol by the thousands, they decided to get in the car and stand in solidarity with Wisconsin workers who are protesting Governor Walker's attempt to stomp on their collective bargaining rights. Jeff runs the Wayside Center for Popular Education in Faber, VA. Virginia Organizing is proud that Wayside is one of our program groups and even more proud that Jeff is representing Virginia in Wisconsin.

Last night Jeff and his son spent the night at the captiol and have been taking lots of videos and photos. They are also tweeting here @waysidecntr and updating their Facebook page. Please follow and friend them. We have included some of his great photos and videos below and will continue to share them as they come in.

Thanks Jeff for showing Wisconsin that right-to-work states like Viriginia support Wisconsin public workers' right to organize! A race to the bottom is not sound economic policy in Wisconsin or in Virginia!

From Jeff: "During the meetings inside the WI Capitol yesterday, it was clear that we already know how to do this stuff. The difference is that things have gotten bad enough here to motivate masses of people to want to participate. I believe we'll win this one; but let's stop defining victory in terms if minimizing how much we lose. If people across the country support this struggle in Wisconsin, maybe it doesn't have to end with stopping the bill. We can push back and actually take a step forward."

Brass band marching around the WI capitol. So far their playlist has included "This Land is Your Land" "We Will Rock You" and "When the Saints Go Marching In."

From Jeff. "Made it back inside the Capitol. We'll sleep under the rotunda tonight. People in Wi are super energized to hear how much support there is for the struggle in VA, NC and DC."