Union workers, teachers, lawmakers and labor organizers are telling a huge Statehouse rally that Indiana Republicans have gone too far in pushing an agenda that opponents consider an attack on public education and unions.

State police said more than 8,000 people had gathered outside the Statehouse by noon Thursday. Many workers held signs, union banners or American flags.

Democratic Senate Minority Leader Vi Simpson of Bloomington told the cheering crowd that Republicans have "called a war on the middle class." Most House Democrats are in Illinois boycotting parts of the Republican agenda, but two came to the rally and were thanked by union workers for fighting the proposals.

Most Republicans are not around for the rally because the House and Senate adjourned for the weekend before it started.
Organizers say it could be Indiana's largest rally in years.