Judge orders protesters out of Wisconsin Capitol

[cynatnite]

Source: Washington Post

MADISON, Wis. -- A Wisconsin judge ordered the removal Thursday night of pro-union protesters who have camped out in the state Capitol for more than two weeks, but he also ruled that the state had violated the public's free speech and assembly rights by restricting its access to the building.

Dane County Circuit Judge John Albert directed authorities to immediately take actions to remove demonstrators who stayed in the Capitol after its normal 6 p.m. closing time. He also ordered the removal of unauthorized materials, such as sleeping bags, air mattresses and the hundreds - perhaps even thousands - of signs that protesters have taped to the Capitol's walls.

Some protesters voluntarily complied with the order to leave. Others did not immediately do so.

The demonstrators are upset with Republican Gov. Scott Walker's proposal to eliminate nearly all collective bargaining rights for public employee unions. At times, tens of thousands of people have congregated on the Capitol grounds during the past couple of weeks. About 100 people ignored a 4 p.m. Sunday deadline to leave the building so it could be cleaned, instead sleeping on the floor and occasionally banging drums and chanting.

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/03/03/AR2011030303726.html?hpid=topnews

[ClarkUSA]

1. Let me guess... Walker found a judge appointed by Republicans.

How disappointing.

[DJ13]

2. A Dem Wis Senator was on Rachel's show

She asked him about this ruling, and hinted that the judge ruled the building had to be open for government business to allow the protesters in, and he said he heard some Dem Representatives were going to start being there at night to comply with the doing business restriction.

[Skip_In_Boulder]

4. That's creative. I like it. n/t

[snacker]

3. Actually...

Lautenschlager tells Capitol protesters: 'We won the battle'

Former Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager, who represented unions in a lawsuit seeking to reopen the Capitol to full public access, explained to protesters tonight the impact of the judge's order in the suit.
-snip-

"We won the battle," Lautenschalger said to cheers from the crowd."
-snip-


Capitol Police Chief Charles Tubbs also assured protesters their signs will remain posted in the building.

Lautenschalger also assured them that if DOA does not comply with the order, the agency can be found in contempt.

-- By JR Ross
http://budget.wispolitics.com/

[FJeff]

5. Victory

Thanks to Chief Tubbs, Sheriff Mahoney and Peg Lautenschlager for helping this to end in a peaceful victory. We'll all be back in 48 hours.

[Control-Z]

7. 48 hours?? n/t

[Citizen Worker]

6. Do not leave, this is a public building. Instead, fill the jails if necessary. If the workers

leave the building the battle, and maybe the war, is lost.

[Tx4obama]

8. There aren't any goverment buildings that stay open 24hrs a day, except police stations. n/t