(Updated) Rally for the American Dream: Huge Gatherings Nationwide in Solidarity with Wisconsin Democratic Uprising

Update: AlterNet's Joshua Holland on the latest events on Sunday afternoon in Madison, Wisc:

According to reports via Twitter, Republican state senator Dale Schultz has withdrawn his support for Governor Scott Walker's union-busting bill. Last week Schultz, a veteran lawmaker who's served in the senate for 20 years, offered a "compromise" proposal in an attempt to break the deadlock, but it was rejected by Walker and panned by the protesters.Two other GOP members would have to join Schultz and break ranks with their party in order to kill the bill. Journalist Micah Uetricht reports via Twitter that a huge sign at the capitol reads, "we need 3 courageous senators," and protesters are now changing the number to 2 to deafening cheers. 

Earlier, Scott Walker had ordered that the capitol be closed and the protesters removed at 4pm CST but they said they wouldn't leave, setting up a standoff.But the hour came and went, and now there are multiple reports via Twitter, yet unconfirmed, that police have announced that protesters would be allowed to spend the night in the capitol. Micah Uetricht reports that an earlier pizza embargo has been lifted, and food has arrived on the scene.

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Below is Daniel Denvir's article on this weekend's nationwide Rally for the American Dream:

"Welcome Senators!" a Chicago protest sign declared, as thousands rallied in solidarity with Wisconsin workers and celebrated Democratic senators hiding out in Illinois.

Thousands rallied nation-wide on Saturday, with MoveOn putting the total at over 100,000 people in Madison and 50,000 in other state capitols and major cities. Protests at state capitols were also a warning shot to governors around the country: workers will fight major cuts to social programs and attacks on unions.

The protests in Wisconsin have now sparked a nation-wide movement. They are a clear demonstration of unity against the Tea Party's cruel agenda to break the back of union representation, and a rejection of the notion that deficits and government spending are the country's biggest problem. (Click here to see AlterNet's collection of photos from the rallies).

In Philadelphia, demonstrators chanted, "Tax the rich, stop the war."

Tens of thousands of unionists and supporters have protested for three weeks against Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker's attempt to strip state employees of their right to collectively bargain, with many camping out around the clock. The state Assembly passed the legislation on Friday, but Democratic Senators have left the state, denying Republicans quorum and blocking the vote.

Republican governors around the country are eager to follow Walker's lead. Thousands of union members and supporters protested today in Columbus, Ohio. The Republicans hold an overwhelming majority, so boycotting the proceedings is not an option. But in Indiana, which also drew protests, Senate Democrats slipped across state lines to block anti-union legislation.

"On Monday night we were watching what was happening in Wisconsin and realizing that this was a crucial movement for whole country," says MoveOn Executive Director Justin Ruben. "What happens in Wisconsin will have an impact on people everywhere. The same dynamic is playing out in other states and in Washington, where Republicans are so intent on giving tax breaks to the rich and powerful that they are willing to destroy unions and kick the middle class in the teeth to do it."

According to a January New York Times/CBS News poll, just 14 percent of Americans ranked the deficit as the most important problem facing the country, compared to 43 percent who named job creation. There is a divide between the reality of unemployment and depressed wages that most Americans are living and the constant drumbeat about deficits and cutbacks in the media and on Capitol Hill.