I have another sign of the near end of the world, or the Signs of the Hour as they are called in Standard Arabic, which is now that the Americans, whom we mimicked in right and in wrong, are now mimicking the Arabs when it comes to protesting to topple dictatorial regimes. On February 13, the Egyptians were still celebrating the ouster of Hosni Mubarak when Americans in Madison, the capital of the state of Wisconsin, started protesting to overthrow the Governor of Wisconsin Scott Walker. He sought in collaboration with the State Assembly (Parliament) to pass a law eliminating the trade unions' right to collective bargaining, which has been in place for nearly half a century to protect workers' rights. The first protest to take place had started with fifty people gathering in front of the state's Capitol. These protests then quickly grew, attracting thousands of people. The governors of other states seeking to pass similar laws now anxiously fear that the people of their states will revolt against them, just like Arab rulers were waiting for their turn after the die had been cast on the regimes in Tunisia and Egypt. I thought, as I followed the events in Wisconsin, that I stumbled on something that no one else had thought of, namely, the similarities with the Arab demonstrations. But then I discovered that many have noticed that, from politicians, writers, and commentators, to those who are protesting. Rev. Jesse Jackson compared the uprising in Wisconsin to the civil-rights movement of 1965. Also, political science professor Bob Fitrakis concluded that the proposed law is an assault on democracy, and is the start of a march towards fascism, and said, “The first Germans Hitler put in concentration camps were neither Jews nor gypsies – they were trade unionists.” I also read an article written by Robert Kuttner entitled “Wisconsin's Tunisia Moment”, which started with these words: As events in Egypt showed, you never know what will set off mass protest… Meanwhile, Medea Benjamin, who moved between Egypt and Wisconsin, wrote an article entitled “From Cairo to Madison: Hope and Solidarity Are Alive”, with a picture underneath that said, “Egypt Supports Wisconsin”. There were also other slogans mentioned, such as “From Egypt to Wisconsin: We Rise Up”, “Welcome to Wiscairo”, “Government Walker: Our Mubarak.” The writer also brought back from Egypt a sign that said, “Solidarity with Egyptian Workers”, which was then hanged from the balcony of the Capitol building in Madison. The protests in Madison are now completing their third week. They have drawn many supporters and protestors from all around the country, and I found another sign of the approaching end of the world as I read that a coffee shop near the State Assembly building raised a sign that said “Workers of the World Unite”, a famous slogan of communism. The Republicans in several states are trying to limit the influence of the workers by banning collective bargaining. But this stance has awakened the liberal or leftist wing in the United States from its slumber, after it has long forsaken the arena to the U.S. right, or the Tea Party. Thus, the protests in Wisconsin attracted students, teachers, iron and steel workers, retirees, nurses and other segments of society. Do you recall how the rebels in Tahrir Square embraced soldiers, and said that the army is from them and for them? In Madison, the protesters also tried to draw in support from the police, and raised a sign that said “Policemen for (i.e. support) the workers”. This is while bearing in mind that policemen and firemen had been exempt from the proposed ban on collective bargaining. Will the oppressive regime in Wisconsin collapse, and will the Republican governors of other states learn the Wisconsin lesson, or will they have stubborn heads until someone will rise and demand these very heads? If heads do not roll, then there is always Jeddah to host the leaders of ousted regimes. But until further notice, American politicians seem to be taking asylum in neighboring states. For instance, members of the Democratic minority in Wisconsin and Indiana left to Illinois in order to prevent the Republican majority in both states from passing laws targeting workers' rights. In our parts, this is equivalent to the presence of Gaddafi's opponents abroad, and the fact that many regime officials have joined them following the popular uprising. However, the similarity ends here, because I am sure that the Governor of Wisconsin will not attempt to abduct his opponents from neighboring states, and take them back to Libya where they would disappear. [email protected]
