MADISON (WKOW) -- The makeshift community of protesters against Governor Scott Walker's biennium budget is up and running.

The two-week long "Walkerville" tent city began Saturday with a kickoff event at 7 pm.

"This is all part of the anger and frustration at politicians that aren't listening to working class folks from around this state," said organizer Peter Rickman.

Protesters are calling it "Walkerville" after the "Hooverville" towns set up during the Great Depression.

Overnight camping is allowed along certain streets on Capitol Square, but not on Capitol grounds.
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"If the people's house is going to be closed down we've gotta have a presence known," said Walkerville organizer Peter Rickman.

Rickman hopes to bring back the presence everyone remembers in February.

"We want to hold the politicians accountable for the bad choices they're making," said Rickman.

Each day will have a theme. Sunday - a rally was held for K-12 education.

"We'll take this message of dignity for all workers across this state," said Peggy Coyne, MTI President during a speech.

"It's the impact of those dollars across the state that really indicate how bad the choices are going to be," said Mary Bell, President of the Wisconsin Education Association Council.

"This budget is going to have a long lasting devastating impact on the kind of life we enjoy in Wisconsin," said Bell.