Madison officials have cleared the protest encampment at the intersection of Williamson and Baldwin on Tuesday, ending the nearly two week demonstration.
The encampment blocked traffic since July 22nd, following the death of 38-year-old Corey Ruiz. Ruiz was shot dead by police after he stabbed an officer while being detained. Ruiz produced a large, long bladed knife during the struggle of him being detained. Ruiz then stabbed an officer, which led to the shooting.
City workers began arriving in the early morning with the help of the Madison Police Department in riot gear. Protesters were instructed to leave the site voluntarily or officers would begin arresting individuals who refused to leave. Instead, protestors began throwing rocks at the workers and officers, including setting fires to prevent entry. (RELATED:Wisconsin Democratic Candidates Race Left in Only Primary Debate)
By nine in the morning, traffic had resumed in the intersection while city employees relocated items, memorials, etc. into Demetral Park. The operation resulted in seven arrests, while 10 additional people were cited after repeated orders to leave the area.
Ruiz was being pursued after Madison Police received a call that a man was allegedly trying to enter parked vehicles. Ruiz then tried to flee on a bicycle before attempting to continue on foot. Police attempted to subdue Ruiz with a Taser that was unsuccessful, which then led to the struggle.
Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway even called for the ending of the encampment, despite letting it fester for 14 days. Rhodes-Conway said that this encampment has become a distraction rather than supporting meaningful dialogue. (RELATED: Mandela Barnes Abruptly Ends Wisconsin Governor Campaign After Poll Decline, Scandal Scrutiny)
Tom Tiffany weighed in on the illegal encampment, calling for Madison leaders to “restore order” and chastising them for allowing it to happen in the first place. He also called out Democratic Socialist Governor candidate Francesca Hong, who took to the streets and called the shooting a “state-sanctioned execution.” Hong also called civil disobedience a valid form of protest.
