Tomorrow, in every state capital and then some, protests in solidarity with the people of Wisconsin are being held. Teachers, nurses, firefighters, students, police officers and others  have occupied the Capitol building and streets of Madison, Wisconsin for a week and a half, and tomorrow is about firmly taking this effort national. The Vermont event is scheduled for noon at the Statehouse.

Organizers are casting this demonstration as a turning point, but I don’t believe in turning points. Advocacy, activism, change – that’s a process, rather than a static point, so hopefully tomorrow can mark a commitment to engage on these issues in a constructive way for the long haul.

But we’re going to have to look some realities in the eye to do that. Vermont is not immune from the forces in play in Wisconsin, and its not as simple as being “pro” or “anti” labor. Note that the Wisconsin state police union yanked down a website statement in support of the workers whose rights are threatened. This is a Governor they endorsed, and apparently to some in power in the police union, that coziness is more important than the fundamental right of their fellow citizens to collectively bargain. In this way, the Wisconsin labor community itself is not healthy, and can even be part of the problem, as a house divided against itself cannot stand.

We need to remember what the word “solidarity” means – all of us, from the day laborer up through the union leaders themselves. It means holding together as a movement, rather than a bunch of loosely affiliated individuals or individual organizations, and standing up for everyone’s right to collectively bargain, period.

Let’s hope tomorrow signals a re-commitment to that principle.