Protest Singers Arrested At State Capitol

Capitol Police have begun arresting some of the protest singers who have been gathering for the last two years in the Capitol Rotunda to sing songs against Governor Scott Walker.

Capitol Police have threatened arrests this month since a ruling from U.S. District Judge William Conley that blocked the Walker administration from requiring permits for particular gatherings at the Capitol. The judge ruled that permits could not be required for groups of 20 people or fewer, but allowed the police to require permits of larger groups. WPR’s Shawn Johnson tweeted these images from the Capitol during today’s noontime gathering:

Department of Administration spokeswoman Stephanie Marquis released this statement about today’s action:

“Judge Conley ruled several weeks ago that the state’s permit process is constitutional.The Capitol Police are upholding the law to ensure the building can be shared by all citizens who come to the Capitol.”

Update at 2:44 p.m.: Marquis says25citations were issued today to 22 people for demonstrating without a permit.Three people received a second citation after rejoining the singers after their first citation.The fine amount for a no-permit citation is $200.50.Marquis says one individual received a disorderly conduct citation for spitting on a singer/protestor.

We’ll have more coverage from the Capitol later this afternoon.