Protestors cited for not having permit

Talk about it

A total of 11 protestors have been issued citations at the state Capitol this week for displaying signs without having the required permits.

The Red Cross was holding a blood drive and had obtained the proper permit for it. Protestors holding signs at the drive had not obtained the proper permit; many put away their banners when asked.

The new Capitol Police chief started enforcing the administration’s longstanding policy to require permits for statehouse activities involving four or more people.

A 36-year-old man said he was arrested yesterday for carrying a sign which spelled out the right to assemble under the state Constitution. He said he received 10 tickets in the past, and they were all dismissed – and he plans to challenge the two new ones, as well.

Dane County’s chief prosecutor says he doesn’t have time to prosecute non-criminal citations against the Capitol protestors. So the state Justice Department recently took over that task.

Tags: wisconsin, politics, government, courts