Postal Workers Win Support at ‘Fighting Bob Fest’

Named for one of Wisconsin’s best-known politicians, the annual Fighting Bob Fest has become one the nation’s largest progressive gatherings. This year’s celebration, held in Madison on Sept. 19, was no exception – and APWU members seized the opportunity to win support for the fight to save our public Postal Service.

Robert LaFollette, who served as governor (1901-1906), U.S. senator (1906-1925), and founder of The Progressive magazine, recognized the power of informed citizens engaged in the political process. He initiated meetings called “Chautauquas” to bring people together to discuss political issues and used the momentum generated at the meetings to help beat down the political corruption that resulted from concentrated wealth.

To honor his memory, the Fighting Bob Fest was established in 2002 and modeled after his Chautauquas. The festival is based on the belief that public participation in government has tragically eroded, corporations dominate the policymaking process, and elected officials systematically neglect the public interest they purport to represent.

Organizers believe that freedom and justice are defended through education, and the exchange of ideas promotes solidarity. The Fighting Bob Fest strives to provide citizens with a forum for democratic participation, where frustrations with current policies can be constructively molded into calls to action.

Among the 16 speakers who addressed the crowd this year were progressive commentators Ed Schultz, Jim Hightower, John Nichols, Ruth Conniff, and APWU President Mark Dimondstein.

There are many who would like to privatize the Postal Service, Dimondstein said, “from Wall Street to many in Congress.” He called the plan “the four D’s:” De-fund the USPS, degrade service, demonize the public sector and public workers and then they move in to destroy the Postal Service.

“We believe in a vibrant public Postal Service for generations to come,” he said.

A booth sponsored by the APWU of Wisconsin was busy throughout the day, distributing information about the Grand Alliance, the Stop Staples campaign, and gathering signatures on “I Stand with Postal Workers” postcards. Along with members from the state organization, it was staffed by APWU members from the Madison and Milwaukee locals.