Judge allows Republican Wis. recalls

MADISON, Wis., June 3 (UPI) -- A judge in Wisconsin ruled Friday that a state board should immediately certify recall elections for six Republican state senators.

Dane County Circuit Judge John Markson extended the deadline for certification of recalls for three Democrats, the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reported. He gave the Government Accountability Board until next Friday.

The state Democratic Party began what has been dubbed the "Recall Convention" Friday, WTMJ-AM, Milwaukee, said. The Republicans control both houses of the state legislature and the governor's office, but Democrats hope to change that -- and plan to try to recall Gov. Scott Walker when he becomes eligible for recall next year.

Opposition groups have announced plans to resume large-scale protests this weekend in the state capital. Thousands of demonstrators came to Madison when the legislature was considering Walker's plan to limit the collective bargaining rights of public employee unions.

We Are Wisconsin and other pro-union groups have filed a permit with the city to camp out on parts of Capitol Square from Saturday through June 20 during the Legislature's budget session. A meeting was set Friday to work out details, the Journal Sentinel reports.

The activists say their "Walkerville" will host speakers, musical performances and "educational events" about the budget and pending recalls of state senators. They promise to provide their own security and medical services.

Organizer Peter Rickman, a leader of the Teaching Assistants Association at the University of Wisconsin, said the campout is a response to higher security at the Capitol.

"The people's house has been closed, so we're going to set up a tent city," he said.