It’s not what organizers of Gateway Technical College’s 100-year anniversary planning committee likely envisioned months ago, but in light of the current political climate and with Governor Scott Walker invited to Racine, lots of protesters to his moves on collective bargaining showed up.
The Governor was there to celebrate the birthplace of the technical college system while speaking of the past, present and future of the system. His five minutes of comments were being drowned by chants of “shame” and “recall Walker.” Walker pressed on, his voice elevating for those audience members there to celebrate the centennial milestone.
A high profile police presence kept order. Meanwhile protesters, still chanting, slowly walked away from the stage area to hold a rally nearby, as the rest of the celebratory program continued. The Governor stayed throughout, and when it was over, got booed as he exited into a nearby building, offering no comment.
Gateway President Brian Albrecht called it freedom of expression as part of the educational process.
AUDIO: Gov. Walker speaking above protestor chants (:30)
Tom Karkow-WRJN