Wis. high speed rail advocates plan rallies

MADISON, Wis. -- Advocates of high speed rail in Wisconsin are planning rallies across the state to show their support even though the project appears dead.

Rallies are planned Saturday in Madison, Milwaukee, Oshkosh, La Crosse and Eau Claire. Another event is also planned for Tuesday night at the Talgo train-making facility in Milwaukee.

The rallies come even as Gov.-elect Scott Walker said he won't allow the project paid for with federal stimulus money to move forward.

But backers who say the train will bring jobs and economic development to the state aren't backing down. They've already collected 7,000 signatures in support of the train and enlisted business and community leaders to speak up.

Organizers say the goal is to get Walker to change his mind and allow the project to move forward.