3 WIS Capitol Police Officers in two squad cars cite 69 year old woman at her home Sunday morning.

[Ellipsis]

http://wcmcoop.com/2013/01/13/capitol-police-deliver-sunday-candygrams-2/

Three Capitol Police Officers in two squad cars made the half hour drive out to Waunakee, making their first delivery around 10:00 am, then drove back to the east side of Madison for the second delivery at 10:50 am. These home deliveries have been called “candygrams” after the Saturday Night Live skit. Such are Walker’s palace guard, land sharks invading the privacy of people’s homes on a Sunday to deliver citations while many people are enjoying the day at church.

In the video, the woman repeatedly asks the police why she was designated a leader. Officer James Brooks tells her that the place for arguing is in court. She insists she was never designated a leader. Officer Brooks tells her the police designated her a leader because she called out song numbers during the sing along.

She responds, “You guys are in charge of designating the leader of the Sing-a-long now?”

Three cops.... two cop cars, wear and tear on vehicles. Whats the cost of that compared to a registered letter?

This is intimidation. This is fucked.

[samsingh]

1. kick

[Thinkingabout]

2. Must be one of Walker's cost cutting ideas, he is a total loser, preachers kid.

[okaawhatever]

25. He's not even the same denomination as his father. His father is a Baptist Scott belongs to some

ultra right wing Assemblies of God offshoot or something. Apparently his Dad's ideas weren't radical enough!!

[lunasun]

3. of course it will never happen to them( or at least they can think that)

Yes intimidation paid intimidation your taxes at work?

[Ellipsis]

4. Wisconsin spends $26K on new Capitol police uniforms... $1,279 for gold and silver buttons and caps.

http://www.twincities.com/politics/ci_22048921/wisconsin-spends-26k-new-capitol-police-uniforms

[freshwest]

5. Weren't they only union spared by Walker? What a difference a Repig winning an election makes.

It seemed, before this thing shook out last year, that Capitol police were doing their proper job, allowing citizens to protest. I am sad to see what religion and out of state money have done to WI. And Paul Ryan is still there.

[reteachinwi]

12. The police joined our rallies in support

and the Capitol Police were respectful of civil rights. Scooter is paranoid. Now we have this.

[freshwest]

16. I remember that.. why are they doing this now? It's way out of line.

It seems to be outright intimidation. Were the events where people sang 'illegal'?

[Ellipsis]

20. Newly hired Chief David Erwin is driving this bus, the police are simply following his dictate.

[Magoo48]

54. Just following orders.....weak

[raouldukelives]

74. That's the same old mantra in America.

Everybody was doing it, so I did it too. From Wall St & climate change to Union busting & slave labor. It's those little things all Americans can agree on and support cause it brings them money. In some cases, a lot of it.
You know, its cool to think of yourself as someone opposed to climate change, wars for profit or slavery. Until it comes time to choose between that marketing job with a Wall St firm or a life that actually could make the world better, not assuredly worse, for your existence. Money talks, morality walks.

[reteachinwi]

21. I've joined the sing-a-long on occasion

usually in the Capitol rotunda, sometimes outside the Capitol. Spirited fun for the most part, protest always. The permit requirement and police intimidation were added after the sing-a-longs had continued on a daily basis for more than a year.

[freshwest]

28. What is the basis for this change of law? The cost of policing? Is it STHU time?

I don't see how this was that much of a problem if it went on for a year. Spooky.

[Ellipsis]

33. When Walker first came, he knew there would be protesting after but thought it would subside

and for the most part it has... except for the hard cores who have been there every day This was an attempt administratively to stop that daily protest. They continue to come every day, even after being cited.


The woman was smart to get her camera... the blow back will be interesting to watch this week.

[okaawhatever]

22. Truly disgusting. But I won't hold the police responsible if they were told to cite the protestors,

and did so in a respectful way. Let's turn the attention to parties responsible:

1. Who ordered them to cite the protestors
2. were they given instructions to not cite the anti-abortion protestors
3. Has there been a change of staffing at the capitol? As in, are they only allowing those who "play along" to patrol now?
4. Does the ACLU have a 911 number?


Does anyone know of a watchdog group that is keeping an eye on abuses by the Walker administration? I'll donate money right NOW!

[Ellipsis]

24. You could donate to the group that wrote the article

http://wcmcoop.com/2013/01/13/capitol-police-deliver-sunday-candygrams-2/

[okaawhatever]

31. Thanks for that just send donation n/t

[freshwest]

26. I don't fault them so much either - but why are they picking out some and not others?

The chilling thing - is this the law, the GOP new laws, or Walker's ideas?

He seems to be uniquely beyond the reach of the citizenry, like some of the other GOPigs.

What's extra creepy is that they are going to their homes - if it was a problem worthing being cited, it should have happened on the spot. This seems as if it is retroactive, somehow.

The ACLU is a weird animal at times. At times they are all over the place on one thing, other times they won't do a thing. I know cases where one tries to get them involved, but they are selective and don't do all that some people think they should. Of course that's just life.

You ask some very good question.

[Ellipsis]

29. ...and their workplace as well

[freshwest]

30. Politely punishing them for protesting. Insidious intimidation.

[JDPriestly]

60. Thanks for posting this.

[okaawhatever]

34. The best way to control dissent is to criminalize protestors and have the rest in fear. Walker is

doing exactly that. Did you notice how the entire post was about the "capitol police" vs "innocent protestors". Who do you think the capitol police are working on behalf of? You know, the ones who didn't even cite the correct code for "chalking" but instead wrote her on the code for "holding banners inside the state capitol". You think these guys are the jackboot types? Well Walker's former bodyguard may try to turn them into that, but he hasn't had enough time to get rid of the old guys who know b.s. when they see it.
This newspaper did mention that it was Walker's policy's but let's face it. The capitol police are Walker's surrogates, they will take all the heat and none of the glory. When and if the main stream press reports it (removing Walker's name) average citizens will say, "oh, those terrible police, how dare they." Indeed.

[Ellipsis]

40. The capital police are for the most part quite cool

[JDPriestly]

58. My question is, how did they identify this woman?

Did she give them her name and address? Did they follow her to see which car was hers and note her license number? I assume they have pictures of her in the rotunda. But still, how did they know where to find her?

Surveillance state?

Surely this would be an extremely minor offense. Why did the police put so much effort into chasing her down? Were they serving a warrant based on arrest in the rotunda?

I suspect that the protestors are not really organized, that they are just individuals who show up. If you don't have an organization, how can you request a permit?

The law sounds overbroad to me. It could result in individual people who felt so moved bringing a their own sign, stand in the rotunda, see someone else they know, silently stand around and get arrested.

Does this mean you have to have an appointment and a permit to visit the building in which your legislators meet?

This is an excessive repression of speech. It looks like the fascist surveillance state. The police officers who carry out these kinds of orders should be ashamed of themselves. Looked to me like they were quite embarrassed -- "just doing my job," "just following orders." Sound familiar?

[Ellipsis]

62. If nothing else... facial recognition software is now tagged to your Drivers license in WI

Surely this would be an extremely minor offense. Why did the police put so much effort into chasing her down? Were they serving a warrant based on arrest in the rotunda?

Like I said Chief IMO David Erwin is misusing the power provided him by the DOA and I have no doubt has been encouraged by the senior admins within DOA.


I suspect that the protesters are not really organized, that they are just individuals who show up. If you don't have an organization, how can you request a permit?

That's been the point all along now since March 11th 2011

The law sounds overbroad to me. It could result in individual people who felt so moved bringing a their own sign, stand in the rotunda, see someone else they know, silently stand around and get arrested.

They just changed the law to deal with them singing in the rotunda and other such "nuisances".

Does this mean you have to have an appointment and a permit to visit the building in which your legislators meet?

If there are more then four people, perhaps... technically.

This is an excessive repression of speech. It looks like the fascist surveillance state. The police officers who carry out these kinds of orders should be ashamed of themselves. Looked to me like they were quite embarrassed -- "just doing my job," "just following orders." Sound familiar?

It is.They are manipulating the law and have changed code specifically to repress free speech... and yes It does sound familiar.

[okaawhatever]

68. Absolutely, from what i've read the laws were changed after all the protests at the Capitol during

the Walker recall. When I read the statute it did mention "by more than 4 people". It seems clear that Walker installed his former bodyguard there as the new head of capitol police to repress speech and dissent. To me that shows that the Capitol police had previously been reasonable and/or unwilling to carry out policies Walker thought he should. I wish the district attorney would stop dropping these charges. They need to be adjudicated so that they may be found unconstitutional. I think continually issuing citations using armed police at your home/place of work and then dropping the charges is it's own form of abuse of authority.

[abelenkpe]

6. K&R nt

[Ellipsis]

7. I wonder how Chief David Erwin would feel if Jon Stewart, Maddow or Big Ed showed up at his door...

with a camera crew on a Sunday Morning, think he'd be intimidated?

[okaawhatever]

23. I say all three, in a dark alley while his protection detail is out harrassing old ladies.....n/t

[Ellipsis]

8. Singing Lands Rep. Taylor on Capitol Police WATCH LIST

WCMC has obtained a complete list of names that the Capitol Police have been using to take attendance at the Solidarity Sing Along. Included on that list is State Representative Chris Taylor (D-Madison).

The list was obtained through an Open Records request to the Capitol Police and came with the months and dates of birth blacked out. WCMC blurred the years of birth and last names except for the first initial to protect individuals’ identities. WCMC previously published an incomplete version of the list from photographs taken at a sing along.

The complete list shows attendance over the last three months of 2012.

http://wcmcoop.com/2013/01/13/singing-lands-rep-taylor-on-capitol-police-watch-list/

...crazy!

[LiberalFighter]

9. Do they even have jurisdiction?

[Ellipsis]

10. Apparently they have state wide jurisdiction according to the DOA

http://www.doa.state.wi.us/section.asp?linkid=76&locid=163



The State Capitol Police have statewide jurisdiction to enforce laws. Officers assigned to this section are called upon to perform a wide range of duties and often must deal with individuals who have social and/or behavioral problems (i.e. mental illness or controlled substance abuse/addiction). State Capitol Police Officers also perform traditional law enforcement responsibilities of investigating criminal activity and apprehending law violators.

Hah. They had a typo "ctivity"

[LiberalFighter]

38. It would appear that they like big government when it benefits them.

Meaning duplicated services. In this case, State Police and Capitol Police overlapping.

[JDPriestly]

11. You have to have a permit to suggest a song in a sing-along in a publicly owned building?

And gun owners don't want to have to get permits to carry weapons?

What kind of country are we?

Sticks and stones and guns can hurt my bones, but sing-alongs never hurt me.

Have the Wisconsin authorities gone out of their minds? How absurd.

The freedom of assembly is not supposed to be abridged. Nor is the freedom of speech. Nor is the freedom to petition the government.

I do not understand why the Supreme Court cannot read that amendment to mean what it means in plain language.

[reteachinwi]

14. Absurdia

the new Wisconsin.

[Ellipsis]

15. Not until recently when the DOA created the Wisconsin State Facilities Access Policy,

after the whole dust up last year after Walker came. THE DOA made a rule to require a permit if more then 4 people were gathered together.

Quite gestapo like of the DOA.

[appal_jack]

52. Agree 100%! nt.

[dmr]

13. This leaves me speechless.

Walker is actually using the Capitol police to intimidate Wisconsin citizens? Elderly citizens, to boot!

Such major crimes! Chalk? A sing-along? Guess it wasn't a legitimate song.

A group should go out there on the Capitol and sing Walker's praises (gag) and see how quickly they're cited. When they're not, the woman in the video could take that to court.

[Ellipsis]

17. That is the point... regrdless of what your politics are.

The capital Police, AKA Chief David Erwin formerly Scott Walkers "Body Guard", is attempting to intimidate and shame citizens with an abuse of authority. He has to go.

[Ellipsis]

18. Prosecutors dismiss some charges against Capitol protester

Capitol Police Chief David Erwin’s crackdown on protesters is about to face its first real legal test on Jan. 23. But prosecutors have dropped most of the charges involved in the first round.

The first protester likely to go in front of a jury in the recent Capitol crackdown, Jason Huberty, had been scheduled to face trial for four citations. But it looks like he’ll just be going to trial on one. That’s because prosecutors with the state Attorney General’s Office dropped three of them, as well as two other citations that were set for later trials.

And according to Huberty’s attorney, Robert Jambois, the state’s chances of making the remaining charge stick are slim.

“They’ve been throwing stuff at the wall to see what sticks,” he says. “and so far nothing has been sticking. It’s all been sliding off the wall.”

http://host.madison.com/ct/news/local/writers/steven_elbow/prosecutors-dismiss-some-charges-against-capitol-protester/article_51f0747c-5b6a-11e2-bcb0-0019bb2963f4.html


This process "ain't" cheap either.

[LiberalFighter]

41. I wish they could force Walker to pay the legal costs.

[DogPawsBiscuitsNGrav]

19. Poor woman. She's lucky they didn't shoot her dog. It happens often these days.

[avebury]

61. That is just what I thought.

What probably saved the dog was her videoing the whole thing.

[Nevernose]

27. Ladies and gentlemen:

Your tax dollars at work. Maybe after they issue the citation to the little old lady for singalong songs, they'll bust some high school kids for smoking pot. For the finale, they'll probably be arresting/humiliating a grown man for masturbating in a private both at an adult bookstore.

I sure do feel safer knowing that these brave heroes are protecting me at night.

[okaawhatever]

36. I think the goal is intimidation over tax $. Walker trying to beat protestors into submission. n/t

[rhett o rick]

32. What the hell is a sing a long? Why was she charged for singing? WTF? nm

[Ellipsis]

35. It's a symbolic representation of a continuous progressive, pro-labor presence at the Capitol

The mission of Solidarity Sing Along is to create positive, progressive change through participatory song.

Solidarity Sing Along began happening at the Wisconsin State Capitol in Madison on March 11, 2011, and there has been a Solidarity Sing Along at noon at the Capitol every weekday since then. The sing alongs started up as the large protests and the Capitol occupation were ending. They serve to maintain a continuous progressive, pro-labor presence at the Capitol, as well as providing a place where union members, activists, and citizens can come together and rejuvenate their spirits through song as we continue the fight against Governor Walker and his republican allies.

Solidarity Sing Along usually happens in the Capitol rotunda but always moves outside to the State Street side of the Capitol if there is a previously scheduled event in the rotunda. Location changes will be posted on this Facebook page if we have advance warning of the move (sometimes we do not). If we are outside, feel free to bring instruments or drums. We are typically outside on Fridays. The band that accompanies Solidarity Sing Along while we are outside is The Learning Curve.

Many folks refer to Solidarity Sing Along (both in person and in print) as SSA, so you will likely see and hear a lot of that if you visit this page or come to the sing along.

https://www.facebook.com/SolidaritySingAlong

[rhett o rick]

37. Thank you for the back ground. What was the lady cited for? nm

[Ellipsis]

43. Administrative Code for 2.14(2)(v)

http://docs.legis.wi.gov/code/admin_code/adm/2/14/2/zd

Without approval of the department, conducts a picket, rally, parade or demonstration in those buildings and facilities managed or leased by the department or on properties surrounding those buildings. In order to preserve the order which is necessary for the enjoyment of freedom by occupants of the buildings and facilities, and in order to prevent activities which physically obstruct access to department lands and buildings or prevent the state from carrying on its instructional, research, public service, or administrative functions, any picketing, rally, parade, demonstration, other assembly, or congregation of spectators to the activity may be declared unlawful if its participants:

[Ellipsis]

45. By calling out "sing #25" they said she was a "Leader", ergo she was responsible to obtain a permit.

They have a song book.

[Ellipsis]

65. kick

[reteachinwi]

39. The Solidarity Singers

http://m.

&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DvVmaVmainoM

[rhett o rick]

42. Thanks. I guess the OP assumed we knew this. nm

[reteachinwi]

46. Great job in all other respects though.

[Ellipsis]

47. There's a lot of exposition, hard to know where to start... just wanted to get this lady some press

...after I saw it posted elsewhere, get some eyeballs on it.

They had stopped citing folks for a while. I've posted info on this before but mainly in LBN, just didn't seem appropriate to do so this time.

Here's some more background

http://www.thedailypage.com/daily/article.php?article=37727

[rhett o rick]

75. I appreciate what you are doing. It looks like a case of "freedom of assembly" and needs to go to

court.

[JDPriestly]

63. Moving!

[okaawhatever]

44. I have a friend who used to put his amp is his dorm room window & play the Hendrix version of Star

Spangled Banner everyday at noon for the entire campus. I wonder what they'd have to say about that? The law says more than 4 people can't sing at a time. How 'bout one guy with a really loud amp?

[bluestateguy]

48. Cops will always try to do anything to justify their jobs

which is why we need to be real careful about having cops in public schools.

[lutefisk]

49. I'm so ashamed of my state

This makes me sick.

Sure, the Capitol Police officers are just "doing what they're told", but they should be ashamed, too. And I see they went for a more intimidating look with the new uniforms. Nice.

[KansDem]

50. At 2'01" she says "It's because of policemen that my husband is dead."

I wonder what that's all about!

[Scuba]

51. Free speech has been banned by Squat Wanker and his goon squad.

Shame on the Capitol Police for trying to enforce these unconstitutional (Wisconsin and US) restrictions.

Hope the lady demands a jury trial and that her lawyer weeds out the Wanker-lovers in the jury pool.

[Ellipsis]

56. ...more like the keystone cops.

[Lefta Dissenter]

70. She will demand a jury trial

One of the attorneys who has been working with the people receiving citations is a former D.A. of Kenosha County. He was in a different position with the State when Walker took office, and resigned the day after Walker "dropped the bomb." He has said that he will take every one of these cases to jury trial.

Can't wait to see Chief Erwin take the stand.

[Scuba]

71. Thanks Lefta, can you keep us informed? I'd like to be in the courtroom if possible.

[Lefta Dissenter]

72. I will, Scuba.

Our first jury trial starts in about a week, and then they'll start coming fast and furious.

Have I pointed out that the DOJ just recently advertised for two Assistant Attorney General positions? With over 100 jury trials coming up for this, they're actually having to hire people, presumably to do the real work of the Dept of Justice, while the others prosecute these cases.

[Scuba]

73. Thanks for this and ALL you do!!!

[99Forever]

53. Walker's Pigs.

[Lifelong Protester]

55. They may have been three good cops, but now they are

three goons, doing the bidding of a fascist.

Police state!


I'd like this video to go viral, and I thank the OP for bringing it to our attention.

I'd also like the whole world to be watching. This is BS and makes me weep for my state. Walker can't go fast enough.


And to think that the Repub. party of WI keeps sending me donation requests. Unbelievable. You CANNOT get off their mailing list.

[Ellipsis]

57. I'd like to see this go viral as well.

I have a friend who's republican dead father still gets solicitations after 20 years. Just take the propaganda put it in the envelope provided for a donation and send it back to them and let them pay for the postage.

[Lifelong Protester]

59. This time I included a photocopy of Tammy Baldwin's

thank you postcard with her Victory picture on it. I asked them WHY they thought I'd support a group that will not support the Violence Against Women Act (among other things) and told them Satan would be lacing up his skates before they would get a dime out of me.

Then I put all that in an envelope (prepaid by them!) and sent it back.

I sent one back to Walker with part of a heavy wooden shingle in it.....

[uponit7771]

64. +1!

[HiPointDem]

66. kr

[Ellipsis]

67. Cool - Politics USA picks up the story

Cool - http://www.politicususa.com/governor-walker-capitol-police-amendment-rights.html

[Lefta Dissenter]

69. You can donate to help with the legal expenses, too.

The First Amendment Protection Fund, U.A., was established to help defray the costs of the citations. While most of the attorneys are working pro bono or for reduced fees, there are still extensive court costs, such as jury fees, service and witness fees, and - best of all - deposition fees.

Through Paypal, you can donate to the email address [e-mail].

I believe that this woman's citation takes us to 134 citations that have been issued by the Capitol Police to our citizens for exercising their First and Fourth Amendment rights in or around the Capitol. Jury trials are starting in the next couple of weeks.

edited to add that the count is just since Erwin's crackdown, which started at the beginning of September. We had at least 75 citations issued to people for holding signs in the Capitol or committing other such dangerous crimes before Erwin was promoted to Chief late summer. Most of those were dismissed by the District Attorney's office, which is why the Department of Administration has now asked the Department of Justice to prosecute these citations, instead of the D.A's office. Just like our police officers, I'm sure the Assistant Attorneys General have no greater criminals to pursue than chalkers and singers.

[Gormy Cuss]

76. "“This is serious. Chalking is a crime.”

said the capitol police officer with a straight face.

[4Q2u2]

77. Those Old Ladies are Deadly

That is why TSA has to strip them of their clothes and dignity. The Police should have had their AR-15's out to fight against this Blue Haired Tyranny. Love her response about the sing alongs. I would love to hear from her about what Rights we have lost over her lifetime. How terrible that the Governor of a State would not celebrate protest, he does not have to like it or agree with it. That someone would not find Americans acting in true fundamentalist ideals to the Constitution, that should be awe inspiring. That is why I served in the Military, so 69 yr Old Ladies could walkabout this country safe and free, and her exercising those rights is the greatest thank you anyone could ever give a Vet.