State of the State draws protesters

LANSING, MI (AP)--   Labor union members and supporters gathered outside the Michigan Capitol to protest the passage of right-to-work legislation as Republican Governor Rick Snyder delivered his State of the State address. 

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Credit Detroit Free Press

People gather outside the Capitol before Governor Snyder's State of the State address to protest right-to-work in Michigan.

Several hundred protesters were circling the Capitol on Wednesday night, and their chants and drum beats could be heard inside the noisy state House chamber where Snyder was preparing to speak.

Snyder signed right-to-work measures that cleared the Republican-controlled Legislature in December.

American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees union member Chris Roggero says elected officials ignore the public's wishes and do what they want.

Anti-right-to-work protests drew 10,000 people last month. The measures taking effect in March bar unions from requiring people they represent under collective bargaining agreements to pay fees.