WI Capitol Crackdown Mass Arrests: Videos

Lars Prip, a USMC Vietnam Veteran with his young friend Aidan in the rotunda of WI Capitol. Photo: Leslie Amsterdam

July 27, 2013 by Leslie Amsterdam

This week WI Capitol police, under the leadership of Chief David Erwin, made good on their promise to arrest and remove peaceful singers and protesters from the Capitol rotunda. After declaring Unlawful Assembly 3 days in a row last week, the police began enforcing new administrative codes and arrested and issued citations to dozens of visitors to the Capitol, including members of the press and bystanders. Several activists were transported to Dane County jail and later released on bond.

The three consecutive days of mass arrests differed in strategy and process, leading to a tense Friday noon hour with a Lutheran minister suffering a cardiac medical emergency while under arrest. The following videos document some of the disconcerting arrests of citizens from July 24-26, 2013 at Wisconsin Capitol. Many believe these arrests to be unconstitutional. The careless handling of a US flag by Capitol police during the arrest of a USMC Vietnam Veteran was one of the more memorable moments.

The mass arrests began Wednesday. There was also an incident involving a singer being spat on by an opponent of the song circle.

This 80 year old Madison activist Joan Kemble, has been a regular singer in the Capitol.

This is what Capitol police had to say about the day.

Thursday’s chaotic song circle hour in the rotunda:

Friday brought a new round of arrests of visitors to the Capitol, including moms with kids. Tourists were threatened.

WI Sen Bob Jauch greets Joan and Tom Kemble after the Kembles were arrested for singing in the WI Capitol. Photo: Leslie Amsterdam

Subscribe to these YouTube channels to see other footage from the recent crackdown: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7fTQ4iLvFc76EjbFqzCRyw, https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0KqL-bBS7IOW30HcbNNcYA, https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmmBfhXY6ng65cULT7_v9TA
Please visit http://solidaritysingalong.org/ to donate to the legal defense fund.