Madison Governor Wants Clean House: Police “Just Say Please”
Authorities in Madison, Wisconsin have asked protesters to leave the capitol building that they have occupied for several days. The official reasoning for the evacuation is that the building is in need of cleaning. Apparently in between workouts and p*ssing off major unions, Governor Walker also finds time to concern himself with the janitorial services of state buildings.
Several protesters planned non-violent resistance to the eviction. However, their intentions to be “peacefully arrested” may be thwarted by the approach of the Madison police. According to a CNN story, the Madison police chief has issued a statement that police will appeal to protesters to leave, and then simply wait. They don’t plan to make any arrests.
Their enforcement strategy, to put it another way, is to “use the magic word,” and then hope for the best.
I, for one, have to respect a police force that is willing to place First Amendment rights above janitorial needs.
Thanks to Friedman Archives for the fun image.
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The Madison police are, after all, public employees. Go cops.
Thanks, Holte!
It is good to see non-compliance among Madison police. That idiot Walker will probably try calling out the National Guard next, and I hope they, too, will refuse his orders. Somebody has GOT to teach this power-hungry idiot he’s not entitled to dictatorial poiwers.
Agreed, Jack. I was still in Wisconsin for the last election, and was ashamed of a lot of the political ads and of Walker getting voted in. What a turn-around, to see the people stand up to the government in this way, peaceful but unrelenting, and to see the police proceeding professionally but without compromising their principles. Absolute social beauty.
Well lookie here. Apparently one of the republicans is saying he will not vote for this bill. Cynical me says this might just be to get the 14 dems back so they can screw them though.
http://twitter.com/MotherJones/status/42020811451797504
Outstanding–thanks for posting these updates, Jess!
According to the live feed from the capitol bldg, the police officers are just asking people to move from floor to floor and will not ask anyone to leave the building.
http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/12986654
I saw video earlier, of one police officer reminding Walker the capitol is the people’s house and not his to do with as he pleases.
Oh and in bonus GREAT news. Americans for Prosperity website has been targeted and taken down by anon.
503 error: site not available as of right now.
http://www.americansforprosperity.org/
YAY for law enforcement!!!!!! As someone who has family members going way back in that field, I applaud those folks.
They have been totally supportive of the whole protest and some cops have actually been on the protest lines on their days off.
Agreed, Dusty–Yay, law enforcement!! 🙂 It has been good to see them stand strong with the union protesters even though Walker had said the proposed legislation wouldn’t affect them personally. I always figured he carved out that exception specifically to maintain the support of the police…but if that was the case, he sorely underestimated the essence of solidarity that serves as the core of unionization.
I agree with you GL although I am sure the the Madison police are not wanting to be the next big headlines either. It might just work although I am sure they might feel that the Governor will try to lock them out.
True, Lazer. They are in an interesting position here, as they have voiced support of the union movement yet their orders come from the target of the protest. Fascinating stuff.
Kudos to the cops!! Thanks for the update GL!
My pleasure! Just another reason to respect law enforcement, MM. 🙂