Union Backers Rally In Front Of Mass. State House

Throngs of union supporters were jamming Beacon Street in front of the Massachusetts State House to show solidarity with public employees in Wisconsin.

Protesters at the Tuesday rally held up signs that read "Stand Up for Wisconsin Workers" and "We Stand with Wisconsin Teachers." The group listened to union leaders and elected officials including several members of Congress.

The crowds were met with a smaller, but equally vocal number of anti-union activists, including tea party members, who held up their own signs reading "No Unions for Public Employees" and "Pro-Teacher, Pro-Student, Anti-Union."

The protest grew tense at times as both sides shouted at each other.

The protest was one of several nationally to oppose Wisconsin Republican Gov. Scott Walker's plan to strip some public employees of most of their bargaining rights.