Protests against labor law, budget cuts

Toledo's labor unions donned the mantle of civil rights martyr Martin Luther King Jr. at a rally April 4, 2011, to mobilize voter's against Ohio's tough new collective bargaining law, while Bedford Public Schools teachers and retirees braved the morning rain to protest education cuts in the Michigan budget. CLICK ON ANY PHOTO TO VIEW FULL IMAGE, START SLIDE SHOW.

Enlarge | Buy This Photo Ray Wood, president of UAW Local 14, left, clasps hands with Pastor Kevin Bedford, president of the NAACP, after Bedford ... THE BLADE/AMY E. VOIGT

Enlarge | Buy This Photo George Tucker addresses the crowd at the UAW Local 14 hall during a "We Are One" rally. THE BLADE/AMY E. VOIGT

Enlarge | Buy This Photo Karen Krause, with Toledo Area Jobs with Justice, joins the crowd for the Pledge of Allegiance at the UAW Local ... THE BLADE/AMY E. VOIGT

Enlarge | Buy This Photo Erika White, vice president of CWA Local 4319, stands with the crowd and holds a sing at the UAW Local ... THE BLADE/AMY E. VOIGT

Enlarge | Buy This Photo The crowd swells the room at the UAW Local 14 hall before a "We Are One" rally in conjunction with ... THE BLADE/AMY E. VOIGT

Enlarge | Buy This Photo Cindy Weible, with OAPSE, passes out a sign to Toledo firefighter Rich Duffey at the UAW Local 14 hall during ... THE BLADE/AMY E. VOIGT

Enlarge | Buy This Photo Ray Wood, president of UAW Local 14, yells out to the crowd at the union hall during a "We Are ... THE BLADE/AMY E. VOIGT

Enlarge | Buy This Photo Darlene Blakely, from Sylvania, stands up and applauds for teachers' rights at the UAW Local 14 hall during a "We ... THE BLADE/AMY E. VOIGT

Enlarge | Buy This Photo David DeMoss, president of UAW Local 1435, stands up and yells "Shame on you!" as a rally cry at the UAW Local 14 hall. THE BLADE/AMY E. VOIGT

Enlarge | Buy This Photo Bob Pirucki, with the UAW Local 14, greets people as they enter the standing room only event at the UAW Local 14 hall. THE BLADE/AMY E. VOIGT

Enlarge | Buy This Photo Paul Wohlfarth, with UAW Local 12, holds a sign at the back of a standing-room only rally at the UAW Local 14. THE BLADE/AMY E. VOIGT

Enlarge | Buy This Photo Butch Wick, with OPSAE, holds a sing at the UAW Local 14 hall during a "We Are One" rally in ... THE BLADE/AMY E. VOIGT

Enlarge | Buy This Photo Ken Lortz, left, director of UAW Region 2B, and George Tucker, right, executive secretary of the Ohio ALF-CIO, applaud ... THE BLADE/AMY E. VOIGT

Enlarge | Buy This Photo Ray Wood, president of UAW Local 14, speaks to the crowd at the UAW Local 14 hall. THE BLADE/AMY E. VOIGT

Enlarge | Buy This Photo Ray Wood, president of UAW Local 14 yells out to the crowd at the UAW Local 14 hall during a "We Are One" rally. THE BLADE/AMY E. VOIGT

Enlarge | Buy This Photo Members of the Bedford Education Association conduct an informational picket outside Monroe Road Elementary School in Lambertville, Mich. The teachers ... THE BLADE/DAVE ZAPOTOSKY

Enlarge | Buy This Photo Sandy Taylor, left, a special education teacher at Monroe Road Elementary School, joins the picket. THE BLADE/DAVE ZAPOTOSKY

Enlarge | Buy This Photo Mike Buzene, a retired Bedford Junior HIgh School science teacher, passes out information sheets as members of the Bedford Education ... THE BLADE/DAVE ZAPOTOSKY

Enlarge | Buy This Photo The Bedford Education Association picket included, from front left, music teacher Jane Newmeyer, art teacher Clara Talip, first and second ... THE BLADE/DAVE ZAPOTOSKY