Chanting "the workers united will never be defeated," several hundred union advocates rallied at the state Capitol on Saturday to support their Wisconsin counterparts.
They railed against what they view as an attack on the middle class and workers' rights in Wisconsin, where Gov. Scott Walker is trying to curb collective-bargaining allowances for public employees. Walker also wants workers to pay more toward pensions and health-care costs to help alleviate budget troubles.
"I say we can not, should not, and will not balance the budget on the backs of the middle class," said Richard Hatch of the Communications Workers of America, Virginia council.
"Pensions are deferred compensation," he said. "They are not taxpayer handouts."
Gov. Bob McDonnell has come to Walker's defense, saying states must make tough choices to balance their budgets. McDonnell is also seeking changes to the Virginia state employees' retirement system, and has asked the legislature to require workers to contribute 5 percent into their plans and receive a 3 percent salary increase.
The crowd waved signs like, "In the Confederacy, stand with the unions," and "corporations are not people," while some signs targeted the politically active billionaire Koch brothers — "VA GOP: Addicted to Koch too!"
The afternoon Save the American Dream rally in Richmond was part of a "national day of action," with events held across the country. Richmond's rally was organized in part by the liberal MoveOn.org political action committee and labor groups.
Rabbi Ben Romer of Congregation Or Ami told those gathered that "all budgets are moral documents."
"When you steal from the poor to give to the rich, when you steal from the workers to give to the corporate greedhead, you violate ... all religious values in the West," he said.
omeola@timesdispatch.com
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