Gov. Scott Walkalloveryou of Wisconsin is proving, if more proof was needed, that unions aren't his only target. The very idea of opposition is.For two years, opponents of his regime have been standing in the rotunda of the state capitol building at noon to sing songs of protest. Recently, Walkalloveryou has decided he's had enough. He endorsed new rules which require a permit for any gathering of - get this - four or more people and capitol police have begun arresting people for their "illegal" gatherings.
In response to a suit, a federal judge bumped the number up to 20, which seems to miss the point since no permit should be required so long as others are not denied use of the facilities, but that's the number until a trial on the law next year.
To the credit of the protesters, they haven't been deterred and continue to gather and sing even as to the discredit of Walkalloveryou the arrests continue. By August 6, the number of arrests was up to 160.But what makes this truly outrageous is that capitol police have been going up to random bystanders, people, often tourists, watching the singing from the gallery above, and telling them they are "subject to arrest" if they don't leave. The cops don't appear to have acted on that threat yet, but they are putting the word out.
So that's right: In Scott Walkalloveryou's Wisconsin, it's not only illegal to sing protest songs in the state capitol, it may be illegal to watch someone sing protest songs in the state capitol. We are moving into really, really, dangerous territory.
Sources:
http://www.care2.com/causes/singing-can-get-you-arrested-in-wisconsin.html
http://www.twincities.com/politics/ci_23762151/wisconsin-police-arrest-30-more-sing-along-protesters
http://www.startribune.com/local/218570671.html
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment