Watauga Democrats Send Help to Wisconsin Workers

March 13, 2011

Members of the Watauga County Democratic Party have been raising money to support the protestors occupying the Wisconsin state capitol in Madison during the showdown with Gov. Scott Walker over his plan to take away state workers’ bargaining rights.

The local effort to provide food for the protestors got started in Watauga when Bob Cherry wrote an email that got circulated widely. “I have a cousin who teaches in Madison, and I’ve been exchanging regular emails with her as she protests day and night to protect the rights of working people,” Cherry wrote. “She has told me how helpful and encouraging it’s been to the protesters to know that they are supported by Democrats across the country and from Americans around the world.”  

Cherry suggested that North Carolina supporters of the labor protest could easily provide pizzas and other supplies via PayPal and through such sites in Wisconsin as “Help Defend Wisconsin” (http://helpdefendwisconsin.org/) and Mother Fools Coffee House (http://motherfools.com/).

During last Tuesday’s precinct meetings, three precincts – Meat Camp, New River 2, and New River 3 – collectively raised almost $200 for food and placed a call on Wednesday to Silver Mine Subs (608-286-1000), which has been making food deliveries to the protestors for weeks.

Watauga Countians are not alone in sending support. People from all 50 states and many foreign countries have been making donations to provide lunches and other supplies. A story about this movement, highlighting Ian’s Pizza on State Street in Madison, Wisc., appeared on Huffington Post (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/21/donations-to-ians-pizza-o_n_826149.html).

”Their fight is our fight,” said Bob Cherry, especially as the new Republican majority in the North Carolina General Assembly is moving against education and working people in a very similar way.

Those wishing to make donations may use the websites above, or
buy a protester a pizza by calling Ian’s Pizza directly at 608-257-9248 (http://www.facebook.com/IansPizzaOnState).

Other businesses in Madison, Wisc., that will take credit cards via phone orders and make deliveries:

EVP Coffee, 608-294-6868
Indie Coffee, 608-259-9621
Just Coffee, 608-204-9011
Mermaid Coffee, 608-249-9719
Nature’s Bakery, 608-257-3649
Steep N Brew, 608-256-2902
Underground Kitchen, 608-514-1516

Straight To Your Door http://www.straight2yourdoor.com  (coupon: killthebill)