Wisconsin’s huge protests of 2011 were remarkable for their size, diversity, and for the civil manner in which police guarded and guided them.
Since then, interactions at the Capitol square between officers and dissenting citizens have become adversarial and sometimes downright predatory.
On September 20th, journalist Thom Hartmann interviewed Brian Austin: Detective with Madison, WI Police Department and Board Member of Madison Professional Police Officers Association (MPPOA).
They discussed the Wisconsin Capitol police crackdown on citizens holding signs in the rotunda. MPPOA and Dane County Deputy Sheriffs Asssociation recently released a statement calling for a halt to criminalization of peaceful protest and greater respect for the freedom to assemble and speak in the Capitol.
Great interview. Love the concern for the Capitol Police and the danger they are in for losing their bargaining rights. Wow. Grateful they are being so level headed and making a statement. May WI find wholeness.