Cracks are already showing in the new policy from Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker’s (R) administration, seeking to charge protesters money in order to get a permit to demonstrate at the state Capitol. On Monday, when the policy was set to go into effect, a large demonstration was indeed held against Walker, with over 250 people turning out in the Capitol — without a permit, and also without anything bad happening to them.
The administration has been holding a series of informational sessions on the policy — which seem to have stirred up only pushback from demonstrators and civil libertarians. But on Friday, the state Department of Administration appeared to back down at least a little, signaling that there would not be arrests.
The Capital Times reports:
The state Department of Administration kept its word and did not make any arrests or issue any fines, a course of action its spokeswoman had indicated Friday it would take.
Some 250 to 300 people showed up at noon Monday without a permit to sing at the daily Solidarity Sing-along in the Capitol rotunda. (The state DOA did not respond to a request for an official crowd estimate Monday.)
“The fact that they aren’t enforcing the policy tells me they know the policy is unconstitutional,” says Nicole Schulte of Madison, a regular attendee of the Solidarity Sing-along. “It seems obvious to me that they (the Walker administration) want to put people in a position to challenge the policy in court.”
Here is a video clip, via Wisconsin Radio Network:
In the policy announced early this month, groups of four or more people would have to request permits at least 72 hours in advance, for events at the state Capitol or other state buildings.
In addition, organizers would have to pay for the extra Capitol police officers, at a rate of $50 per hour per officer — plus costs for police officers brought in from outside agencies, according to the costs billed to the state. The police payment would have to be tendered in advance, as a requirement for getting a permit. Afterwards, organizers would then be charged for any clean-up costs.
However, as the Associated Press reported on Friday, some changes have already been made so far — particularly in regards to the matter of charging for extra security:
Other revisions clarify that demonstrators would not be subject to paying for damages caused by counter-demonstrators and most events will not require additional police protection requiring the billing of permit holders. Those providing their own security will also not be billed unless additional police are requested.
“It’s meant to be very reasonable,” said Jocelyn Webster, spokeswoman for Walker’s Department of Administration. “The changes evolved from some of the confusion that is surrounding this policy.”
