Dozens attended a forum Saturday to promote activism among students hosted by the College Democrats, Young Progressives and Organizing For America.
Speakers, including U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., and former United Auto Workers International Union Rep. Roger Anclam, tried to put Wisconsin's current situation in perspective at the forum.
Anclam focused much of his speech on what unions have meant to Wisconsin's working class, and said he will fight along with the current generation of college students for their future rights.
""I believe in my heart of hearts I owe you better than what was given to me, and I can't do it under the government we have today,"" Anclam said. ""And now, it's your turn.""
Later in the program, Baldwin discussed the history UW-Madison students have made with their political involvement, now and in the past.
""Student activism on this campus has changed history before, and is doing so now,"" Baldwin said.
Young Progressives President Steve Hughes said the protests and increased political involvement have created a special opportunity for Democratic Wisconsin groups to make their voices heard.
""Right now, we're at a tipping point in Wisconsin,"" Hughes said. ""We can either stand by as we're watching our great state fall out from under us, or we can rise up together and take back Wisconsin. It is in these moments that our history is going to be written.""
—Scott Girard
