Protests continue at the Capitol

MADISON - It was hard to maneuver inside the Capitol Thursday and it was extremely hot with thousands of people.

Capitol police estimate 5,000 people were inside with 20,000 more outside.

Like the past few days, the majority of the crowd opposed the bill.

FOX 11 did find a few supporters, who seemed to attract attention.

Ex-Marine Dave Willoughby says it was him against 25,000 people at the Capitol. It didn't bother him though, because he felt safe and confident Scott Walker's budget bill would pass.

“I'm upset at these teachers. They abandoned their post. They are AWOL. They should be in class,” said Willoughby of West Allis.

Diane Meyer is retired, but says the Madison scene is like déjà vu from the days of union strife in the 70s.

“It makes me want to cry because I have seen us come so far. We live in a progressive state and now we're taking ten steps backwards,” said Meyer of Madison.

The budget bill wouldn't affect Meyer, or many others protesting, but they still felt it was important to show their support.

“I didn't agree that they should be splitting us apart and drawing a line between the unions,” said Chad Siegmann, a Grand Chute firefighter.

The bill includes highway workers and Oshkosh's Brian Kumbier says the after effects could be felt on Northeast Wisconsin streets.

“To go out and fix the state roads I guess I'd let the potholes out there. State doesn't want to work with us, let the potholes out there. See how the private sector likes it then,” said Kumbier, a Winnebago County highway worker.

If the affects are felt in the future, some say no one will feel it more than students - who were also divided.

“Well I'd love to be in school getting an education right now instead we're here to support the bill so we can go back to school,” said Chase Studinski, a student from Sun Prairie.

And even though everyone had a right to be at the Capitol, some were welcomed more than others.

Although exchanges were heated at times, police say the protests have remained mostly safe.

Capitol police reported nine arrests on Thursday. They also said others were ejected from the area.