Wisconsin State Journal photographers picked their favorite photos from the historic protests of February and March 2011.
Nearly a month's worth of protests peak March 12, 2011, in Madison with as many as 100,000 people turning out to protest Gov. Scott Walker's collective bargaining law.
Democratic Assembly Members Mark Pocan, Fred Clark, Donna Seidel and Cory Mason hold a sign out a Capitol window Feb. 15, 2011, to show their support of the protesters outside.
Thousands of protesters enter the Capitol in Madison on Feb. 16, 2011, after a rally against Gov. Scott Walker's collective bargaining proposal.
Opponents of Gov. Scott Walker's budget-repair bill march around the Capitol in Madison on Feb. 16, 2011.Â
As seen from the Capitol rotunda dome, protesters drum and cheer on Feb. 18, 2011.
Tom Braun and Nathaniel Raghez, both of Milwaukee, spiritedly debate opposing sides at a rally outside the Capitol on Feb. 19, 2011. Observers nearby voiced approval of their civil discussion.
A protester carries an air mattress up a flight of stairs in the Capitol on Feb. 21, 2011. The historic building became a protest village.
Opponents of Gov. Scott Walker's collective bargaining bill started sleeping at the Capitol to ensure a spot at public hearings, but the campouts became a mainstay. Pictured here on Feb. 21, 2011.
Assembly Democrats, in orange shirts, shout "Shame!" after GOP leaders cut off debate, move to abruptly pass the bill and walk out Feb. 25, 2011.
The legislative office entryway of Rep. Brett Hulsey, D-Madison, is covered in notes of support from opponents of Gov. Scott Walker's budget repair bill on Feb. 26, 2011.Â
Protesters raise a cheer as a 4 p.m. deadline approaches to leave the Capitol. People debated whether to leave or stay and risk arrest Feb. 27, 2011.
Protesters at the state Capitol were restricted to the ground floor of the Capitol on Feb. 22, 2011, while Gov. Scott Walker delivers his state budget address on the second floor in the Assembly chambers.
Rep. Fred Clark, D-Baraboo, meets with Lars Bergan of Viroqua, Connie Hundt of Madison and Jacob Hundt of Viroqua outside the Capitol on March 2, 2011. Several Democratic legislators moved their offices outside the building as constituents had trouble getting inside.
The final protesters leave the Capitol on March 3, 2011, after a court ruling that said people must leave the building during overnight hours.
Rep. Peter Barca, D-Kenosha, right, continues to speak while Sen. Scott Fitzgerald, D-Juneau, bangs the gavel adjourning a meeting of the Legislature's conference committee March 9, 2011. GOP senators devised a plan to pass the controversial collective bargaining bill with little public notice.
Rep. Amy Sue Vruwink, D-Milladore, implores protesters to remain peaceful after a snowball hits a Capitol window on March 9, 2011, the night GOP senators abruptly passed the governor's collective bargaining bill.
Capitol Police Chief Charles Tubbs pleads with protesters to leave the state Assembly antechamber voluntarily March 10, 2011, to avoid being hauled out.
Officers pull Elizabeth Wrigley-Field out of the Assembly's lobby March 10, 2011, after protesters spent the night. Tensions flared overnight after senators passed an amended version of the bill that stripped nearly all of collective bargaining rights from most public workers.
Assembly Democrats seek to be recognized as Republicans move forward on a vote to pass the controversial budget repair bill at the Capitol on March 10, 2011.
Protesters deride Republican legislators with shouts of "Shame!" after the the Assembly passes the governor's collective bargaining bill March 10, 2011.Â
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