In light of all the times I was there this year, it was good to be under the dome without protesting for a change. Although I must admit to smiling when I saw people signing recall petitions.

The crowd was estimated at 30,000 people, and it did my heart good to see so many waiting in line to sign the recall petitions.

Inside the Capitol, the crowd was much smaller, but the message was just as big.

Reclaim Wisconsin. Recall Walker.

I really like the statement it makes. With each loop that gets added, the ties of solidarity in Wisconsin are even stronger. After the little girl added her string, I added a loop to one of my favorite places in the state: Vilas County.

The below sign says it all.

$1 million to keep one soldier in Afghanistan for one year. 150 soldiers home closes Wisconsin’s current budget deficit. End the war on workers. Bring our war money home.

A beautiful Wisconsin day? It certainly is.

Join the rebellion! UnitedWisconsin.com

Today at the Capitol, farmers from around the state brought their tractors in to protest the Governor’s proposed budget. I heard news reports of some coming from as far as 200 miles away.

In addition to showing solidarity for public workers, farmers are concerned about the Governor’s budget proposals, which they call harmful to rural Wisconsin’s land and people.

It was so much fun to see the reaction of the farmers to the size of the crowd and the appreciation we were showing them.

After the tractor parade, rallies went on throughout the day. The crowd was HUGE. These pictures only give a small sense of the atmosphere there.

The City of Madison estimates 85,000 to 100,000 people were on the square today, with no arrests. I continue to be immensely proud of my fellow citizens, standing up for what we believe in a peaceful and civilized manner.

As the chant goes…This is what democracy looks like!

I really should stop looking at reader comments on news websites. The vitriol posted by some people makes me wonder how the human race has survived this long. But the most frustrating are the comments along the lines of one I saw today:

“The election was last November. Get over it, and honor the democratic process!”

Our duties as citizens in a democracy don’t stop after we cast our ballot. We are obligated to stay in contact with our representatives and let them know how we feel they should lead. Anyone who thinks their responsibilities are over after election day does not understand the principles of a representative democracy.

To the elected leaders of my beloved State of Wisconsin: As it is the citizens’ duty to speak out, it is your duty to listen and represent us — all of us, not just the ones who voted for you. Hundreds of thousands of Wisconsin citizens are speaking out. Listen up!

While the Tea Party held their rally near the south entrance (estimated at 3,500 people), those of us against Governor Walker’s proposals marched around the square.

As one of those protesting, it makes me proud there were no arrests, and no violent clashes. It was quite amazing how polite and respectful people were. At one point, the group I was marching with passed some pro-Walker protesters along the sidewalk. Someone in my group started to shout disrespectful things at them. A woman in our anti-Walker group went over to him and said “Hey that’s not cool” and he stopped. I’m sure she was a teacher!

The anti-Walker contingent held their official rally in the rotunda (estimated at 8,000).

Below is my favorite shot of the day — Wisconsin’s Lady Forward, unable to look ahead because of the blindfold.

I was so glad I went. It was exhilarating being there, and it felt great to add my voice to to those protesting these proposals.

During the rally, we started to hear bagpipes. It was an army a firefighters, marching in to add their support.

As the sky grew dark, the people kept on chanting.

Inside the Capitol, it was just as crowded.

We’re not giving up Governor. This is what democracy looks like.