In Wisconsin, an estimated crowd of more than 10,000 rallied at the State Capitol Wednesday in protest of a bill that would eliminate almost all collective bargaining rights for public workers and slash their pay and benefits. Teachers, students, public workers and their supporters filled the statehouse for several hours, chanting slogans and beating drums. It was the largest rally at the Wisconsin Capitol in years. Classes at Madison schools were canceled after a large number of teachers called in sick to join the demonstration. Despite the protests, the state legislature’s budget-writing committee advanced the measure late last night. More rallies are planned for today as the Wisconsin State Senate takes up the bill.