Tent Cities Pop Up in Trenton and New York City
by Kyle Weidleman | June 22, 2011
Demonstrators set up “Camp Collective Bargaining” in Trenton to protest a vote by the New Jersey Senate to revoke public workers’ collective bargaining rights. (Photo by Michele Lewis)
While New Jersey protesters crossed the Delaware River to fight the "Second Battle of Trenton," New York City residents, inspired by tent cities in Madison and Cairo, set up camp outside City Hall. Both groups are tired of elected officials who talk of "shared sacrifice" for public worker benefit cuts and layoffs while lowering taxes for wealthy citizens.
Demonstrators could be heard in the New Jersey State Capitol — both from the protest outside and the visitors' gallery inside — as the state Senate voted to revoke public workers' collective bargaining rights. On the Capitol lawn, public workers and their supports set up "Camp Collective Bargaining," a tent city which included a graveyard for workers' rights. Senate President Stephen Sweeney (D), a high-ranking union member, led the charge to strip bargaining from public workers. "These are public rights that are written in blood," said state Senator Bob Gordon (D) of the anti-worker bill.
While pushing anti-worker legislation, Governor Chris Christie (R) and his legislative allies have also balked at extending the "millionaire's income tax" surcharge. Should the surcharge lapse, couples that make $750,000 year get a $4,800 tax cut; while a school teacher with a $65,000 annual salary will pay more than $4,800 in new benefit payments.
Meanwhile, AFSCME District Council 37 and their supporters have set up camp outside New York City Hall to protest budget cuts that include the layoff of 4,100 public workers. As they enter the second week of protesting, "Bloombergville" residents point to a study released by DC 37 that found $800 million in untapped NYC income, that could be used to balance the budget, including a half-billion dollars in unpaid taxes alone. As Bloombergville enters its second week, campers protest and hold "general assembly" meetings every day.
