For a second straight Saturday, tens of thousands of protesters filled the streets around the state Capitol — braving temperatures in the mid-teens — for the largest day yet in their continuing struggle to stop Gov. Scott Walker's plan to essentially end collective bargaining rights for most public employees.

Madison police spokesman Joel DeSpain said early Saturday afternoon that the number of protesters — nearly all of whom opposed Walker's plan — was in excess of 70,000, the estimated number of protesters in attendance last Saturday.

"We've had no problems," DeSpain said, adding that officers were again committed to keeping the Square "safe for democracy."

There were lines of more than 500 people waiting to get into the Capitol late Saturday afternoon as officers only let people in as others left. At 6 p.m., Capitol police stopped allowing anyone in, but thousands remained inside for what apparently was one of the last protest sleepovers in the Capitol. Police are scheduled to begin clearing the building Sunday afternoon and the Capitol will be closed Sunday night. Protest organizers indicated that some are planning to peacefully resist removal, forcing police to carry them out of the building. They said others are planning to take up residence on the lawn outside to continue their vigil.