Thousands Sign One Wisconsin Now Petition Demanding Wisconsin Cease Business with Indiana

MADISON, Wis. — Thousands of Wisconsinites have signed a One Wisconsin Now petition demanding Gov. Walker cease having Wisconsin do business with Indiana in light of the Hoosier state’s unprecedented attack on the LGBT community signed into law by Republican Gov. Mike Pence.

“The people of Wisconsin are sending a clear message: bigotry disguised as ‘religious freedom’ is still bigotry,” said Cody Oliphant, One Wisconsin Now Online Director. “Unfortunately, Scott Walker wants to win a tea party Republican presidential primary so we’ve got as much chance of him showing political courage as we have of seeing him turn down a political contribution.”

One Wisconsin Now’s online petition, available here, generated several thousand signatures in just the first few hours it was launched. According to Oliphant, the rapid response was among the highest seen by the organization.

“In the last five years, we’ve only seen comparable numbers at the outset of an online action in response to Walker’s attacks on public employees and Election Day voting registration,” Oliphant said. “Demographically, we’re seeing all segments of the Wisconsin population responding strongly against the Indiana law and in support of Wisconsin closing down business ties as long as this law remains in effect.”

Walker, while speaking Thursday at a Republican gathering sponsored by Milwaukee radio station WTMJ-AM, blamed the media for “hype and hysteria” surrounding the bill. Walker claimed those fighting to not be discriminated against because of their sexual orientation were “looking for ways to be upset about things.”