Railroaders place to shoot the shit.

(The following appeared on the USA Today website on February 28, 2011.)

MADISON, Wis. Protesters in Wisconsin, who have sparked a national debate about workers rights versus state budget needs, vowed to continue fighting Sunday even as police prepared to clear out demonstrators camped in the Capitol.

Capitol Police Chief Charles Tubbs announced Sunday evening that hundreds of demonstrators could stay the night after they were earlier given a 4 p.m. deadline to leave. Tubbs also said none of the demonstrators would be arrested as long as they obey the law.

"People here have acted lawfully and responsibly," Tubbs said. "There's no reason to consider arrests."

Hundreds of people have slept in the building since Feb. 15 as part of a massive protest against Gov. Scott Walker's call for most public workers to lose many of their collective-bargaining rights to help the state grapple with a $3.6 billion budget deficit.

The full story appears at www.usatoday.com.