Business owners describe what happened prior to man’s arrest outside Cooper’s Tavern [Madison]

Channel 3000 ^ | June 24, 2020

[SJackson]

Businesses say the man had been harassing them for several days

MADISON, Wis. — Business owners along State Street said the 28-year-old man who was arrested outside Cooper’s Tavern on Tuesday afternoon had been harassing them and their customers for several days prior to his arrest.

Several businesses, which did not want to be identified due to fear of retaliation, said Devonere Johnson came into their restaurants with a bat and a megaphone demanding free food and drinks and threatened those who wouldn’t give it to him, allegedly saying he would burn down their buildings or beat them up.

One business owner expressed his frustration with the ongoing situation and said, “They have the right to protest, but they don’t have the right to damage.”

Another business owner said many of his interactions with protesters so far have been peaceful but with Johnson, it was different.

“He came in here and we had a discussion,” the business owner said. “We came to a resolution but then, at the end, it didn’t seem like it was enough and they demanded we give them free food and free beer. When these violent acts occur, it totally dilutes any sort of message.”

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One business owner said he is now sleeping at his restaurant because, “We were afraid from the damage. I was afraid from the damage. Because insurance isn’t going to take care of us anymore.”

The business owners said they are in support of the protests and are also demanding change from legislators and city officials, but are hoping it can be resolved peacefully

“We heard you,” one business owner said. “Government heard you. They want to make a decision out of everything that’s happening, but a decision cannot be made overnight. You guys wanna protest? I’m a protester. I am protesting. Me and my family. Everyone. We are all protesting. But there is a way to protest.”

[SJackson]

Related threads

Madison activist arrested with bat and bullhorn was on probation

[Sans-Culotte]

“He came in here and we had a discussion,” the business owner said. “We came to a resolution but then, at the end, it didn’t seem like it was enough and they demanded we give them free food and free beer. When these violent acts occur, it totally dilutes any sort of message.”

"Free stuff" IS the message, idiot.

[Kenny500c]

Some liberal judge will let him out because having to post bail is racist.

[uranium penguin]

Protester..
“Nice restaurant and bar you have here. Shame if something was to happen to it...”

[hal ogen]

The business owners “support” the “protesters”? What weak LIB leftist nitwits. Turn over your property to them. Are some kind of privileged bourgeoisie??? What pathetic oafs.

[hal ogen]

The business owners “support” the “protesters”? What weak LIB leftist nitwits. Turn over your property to them. Are some kind of privileged bourgeoisie???

[Steely Tom]

The business owners “support” the “protesters”? What weak LIB leftist nitwits. Turn over your property to them. Are some kind of privileged bourgeoisie??? What pathetic oafs.

"No man can be smaller than his money."

— Francisco d’Aconia, Atlas Shrugged

[SJackson]

Maybe not, even in Madistan. He's currently held for violation of probation (theft) and won't even have a bail hearing till that issue is resolved. By which time hopefully charges should be sorted out.

[SJackson]

Supported them right up until they asked for free food and beer.

[BookmanTheJanitor]

We heard you,” one business owner said. “Government heard you. They want to make a decision out of everything that’s happening, but a decision cannot be made overnight. You guys wanna protest? I’m a protester. I am protesting. Me and my family. Everyone. We are all protesting. But there is a way to protest

Dude, wake up...these aren’t protestors. These are rioters and extorionists. They don’t want change - they want you stuff.

[dainbramaged]

Come into my business waving a bat and demanding stuff sounds like robbery, and I would have no problem sending you back out feet first.
I'd rather be judged by 12 than carried by 6.

[ronnie raygun]

Can we please hear some heartening news, broken knees,shattered teeth, bludgeoning, mopping the floor, fist full of knuckles

[sport]

In other words, they appeased the rioters and thieves. The businessmen got what they deserved.

[Lurkina.n.Learnin]

If that business owner wants sympathy he can look in the dictionary, it’s right between $h1t and syphilis.

[gogeo]

“We heard you,” one business owner said. “Government heard you. They want to make a decision out of everything that’s happening, but a decision cannot be made overnight. You guys wanna protest? I’m a protester. I am protesting. Me and my family. Everyone. We are all protesting. But there is a way to protest.”

That's weak. If you were a supporter you wouldn't be whining like this.

[gogeo]

They don’t want change - they want you stuff.

That's the change they seek.

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

Madison isn’t Sacramento, Atlanta or Austin folks. It’s liberal, but almost all state capitals are because that’s where the government is (And note: I don’t have a problem with liberals per se, they create kick-ass craft beers, farm to table foods, and art/music/comedy). This riot is an anomaly, which is why Gov. Evers called the National Guard because he knew he screwed the pooch and is up against our GOP legislature.