(Madison, WI) Protests more aggressive than usual; police barriers broken down

The Badger Herald ^ | March 9, 2011 | Alexa Sunby

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Updated Thursday, March 10, 2011 3:46:18 a.m.

After learning the state Senate passed the collective bargaining portion of the budget repair bill without the 14 missing Democrats, the Capitol erupted Wednesday evening as protesters flooded the closed building against a court order.

The hearings where the Senate passed the bill lasted less than a half hour, prompting the building to officially close around 6:30 p.m. Protesters outside chanted in frustration, “Let us in.”

...DOA spokesperson Tim Donovan said law enforcement officers attempted to prevent forced entry from happening but were unable to because of the large volume of people.

“We’re disappointed that people who have been very cooperative over the past three weeks were not cooperative tonight and entered the building against the court order,” Donovan said.

Madison resident John Severa held a State Street entrance door open for an hour and said people inside the building rushed to the entrance to push the doors open for protesters outside.

Police responded shortly after to try to barricade the door, but their attempts were unsuccessful. After several minutes, police retreated while protesters cheered.

“I know police don’t want to be violent,” Madison resident Josh Olson said. “But tonight [the police were violent], and it was upsetting and disturbing.”

Olson said the decision to open the doors had very little coordination. He also claimed he was punched in the shoulder by an officer aggressively trying to stop the rush of people.

“Once people started coming in there was nothing police could do,” Olson said. “This is our house.”

Donovan said protesters also entered the building by jumping through windows. He said he was unsure if windows were broken because of conflicting information from several credible sources...........

[olezip]

Get this bill through final house vote and SIGNED by Gov. Walker ASAP. Gov. Walker is in extreme danger from the commie demonstrators. I hope he has the national guard or a private firm protecting him. Prayers to Gov. Walker.

Mob Rule!

The protestors are evil people who flaunt democracy unless it goes THEIR way! Then it is not democracy, is it?

[who knows what evil?]

I see plenty of ‘baton-bait’ in that picture...of course; since they are acting like spoiled brats; maybe we should send the National Guard in to drop their pants and give them the ass-tanning their parents should have given them LONG ago...

[Daisyjane69]

If this thing gets much uglier, Obama will be able to kiss his 2012 election hopes goodbye.

[St_Thomas_Aquinas]

We need people passing up American Idol to take over statehouses to press the point that we aren’t going to lay down and be run over and (unfortunately) this is the first instance we get.

If the police won't do their job, and the governor won't call out the national guard to remove these layabouts from the capitol, then it's up to the taxpayers to counter-protest. When the slackers attack the taxpayers, the governor will have to call out the national guard.

[thesearethetimes...]

Thank you BUMP

BTTT

[Moose4]

Oh, the POLICE were “violent” while trying to stop the smelly masses from storming a government building after business hours. The horror, the horror.

}:-)4

[who knows what evil?]

I’m sure the ignorant Riverside Milwaukee student’s grades will benefit from, the more than likely, extra credit they will earn protesting with the AFL-CIO.

But will they be able to read the signs that the union thugs hand out to them?

[Uncle Ike]

” If this thing gets much uglier, Obama will be able to kiss his 2012 election hopes goodbye. “

Things won’t have to get a whole lot uglier before we can kiss elections, as an institution, goodbye...

[CaspersGh0sts]

There are more butch women and poor hygeine in that picture than I care to take on with any single viewing...

[668 - Neighbor of the Beast]

“We’re disappointed that people who have been very cooperative over the past three weeks were not cooperative tonight and entered the building against the court order,” Donovan said.

If a few do it you arrest them and prosecute them, if many do it you get "disappointed."

Let's remember that, folks. :)

[Cincinatus' Wife]

I think that “look” is intentional.

They want to appear as threatening as they can to intimidate.

Plus I imagine some are mentally unstable.

[Houghton M.]

That’s exactly what they want — a forcible, bloody clearing of the Capitol, so they can wave the bloody shirt of martyrdom even if it’s only a few scrapes and bruises. They want a huge show of force against them, to prove that the Governor is a butcher and tyrant.

The authorities need to clear the place but without creating “martyrs.” Very hard to do when the protestors are whiney little babies.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

That’s exactly what they want — a forcible, bloody clearing of the Capitol, so they can wave the bloody shirt of martyrdom even if it’s only a few scrapes and bruises. They want a huge show of force against them, to prove that the Governor is a butcher and tyrant.

They WANT Egypt
They WANT to inspire rage across the country
They WANT to please Obama

[who knows what evil?]

We got thru Kent State. We cannot allow these thugs to trash one of out State Capitols like this...if the police won’t haul them off; the NG can do it. They don’t have to split any skulls.

[eaglestar]

OMG!!! What a crowd of looosers!!!!!

[aces]

Don’t the floors need cleaning again, they should just be moved into the cold...

[aces]

LOL!!!! Baton Bait..hehehehehe

[aces]

Yep I think its his goal, mass chaos, martial law, suspension of elections..

[hondact200]

Part of the reason so many protestors UW Madison has no classes this week - Spring Recess Classes Resume March 21, 2011. Just great/sarc

[eaglestar]

Walker should announce that any damage to the Capitol building will be repaired with monies that would have otherwise gone to the police department.