Joe Burns’ incredibly important new book seems to me much larger than the labor movement. I hope he will share with us today some insights into his view of U.S. labor history and the potential for a U.S. labor future, but also his perspective on how this impacts our society as a whole. Are we right to look to the labor movement as a possible ally in the struggle for justice and maybe even peace?

Five people were arrested in Madison, Wisconsin at the Capitol yesterday, amid a march of thousands led by former Sen. Russ Feingold.

While I strongly disagree with the law pushed through this week by the Wisconsin GOP to strip public sector unions of their collective bargaining rights, I think the political lesson that all politicians can take away from this event is that, whenever possible, you should act quickly and decisively.

The spirit of Madison is on display here on a rolling basis. And everyone has a role to play, a way to engage more deeply in the community. By becoming a member of FDL you can get not only discounts on progressive events and activities, but ways to interact at a greater level with our writers and editors. More than anything, membership will foster ways to get involved. Just like I saw in Madison.

This house was open. This house was everybody’s, belonged to anybody who opened the door that day, anybody who could come and stay. And Governor Walker locked it down. Locked it away. Bolted it shut. They’re rifling through purses now, scanning briefcases. You have to take off your coat to come in. You have to wait in line.

We just spoke with David Dayen in the Capitol – from all appearances, Capitol police are NOT removing the protestors who remain in the building. For the moment, 35 minutes after the supposed clearing of the Capitol Building, the police have no orders to move people, and the protestors aren’t going anywhere.

I’m collecting live coverage of events as police prepare to clear out the Wisconsin Capitol Building in Madison, WI on the 14th day of protests against Gov. Scott Walker’s union-busting bill. Police are scheduled to remove protesters at 4:00 p.m. CST, with several dozen planning to be arrested in civil disobedience.

You should also check out David Dayen’s latest post from inside the Capitol with videos of protesters (also collected below).

Multiple leaders of the faith community, students, union members and activists plan to refuse to leave the Capitol building today at 4:00pm, engaging in nonviolent civil disobedience. This could result in people being physically carried out of the building at 4:00 p.m. local time.

What started as a protest has taken on the quality of a virtual city on the square. It’s very hard to explain unless you see it for yourself, but I’ll try. The Capitol has become a site for dissent, an information center, an organizing hub, a pizzeria, a display of wit and the site of a new progressive movement. That’s really not overstating the case.

When Cal Ripken, Jr. was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, he told the crowds that he was just doing his job, the way so many other ordinary folks do, like teachers, police officers, mothers, fathers, business owners, and others. He said “You all may not receive the accolades that I have throughout my career, so I’d like to take the time out to salute all of you for showing up, working hard and making the world a better place.”

Sounds like what’s happening in Madison to me.