The arrest of Devonere Johnson, a Black activist in Madison sparked a protest that turned violent. State and city-county buildings were targeted, statues toppled and a democratic state senator attacked. Republican leadership called for the Madison Mayor and Governor Evers to take more forceful action against violent protestors. Evers authorized the National Guard to support law enforcement.
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Closer Look at Tuesday Night's Turmoil in Madison
Frederica Freyberg:
This week the arrest of a black activist in Madison sparked a protest that turned violent. State buildings were targeted, statues toppled and a democratic state senator attacked. Reporter Trevor Keller takes a closer look at what happened and the fallout in the aftermath of the violence.
Trevor Keller:
Wednesday morning saw workers cleaning up damage on the Capitol grounds after a night of violent protests. The protests followed the arrest of activist Devonere Johnson on Tuesday.
Devonere Johnson:
You’re racist! You’re racist!
Trevor Keller:
Video shows Johnson entering the Coopers Tavern on the Capitol square with a bat and megaphone.
Devonere Johnson:
I wouldn’t be in here right now if this town wasn’t racist!
Trevor Keller:
Police were called and video shows several officers detaining and arresting Johnson.
Devonere Johnson:
What am I being arrested for?
Trevor Keller:
He was charged with disorderly conduct while armed, resisting arrest and attempted escape.
Crowd of protesters:
Black lives matter! Black lives matter!
Trevor Keller:
Peaceful protests for racial justice and police reform have been a common sight around the Capitol for several weeks. However, following Johnson’s arrest, a group of protesters took a more aggressive tone on Tuesday night. A firebomb was thrown through a window of the city-county building. Two statues near the Capitol were torn down. State Senator Tim Carpenter says he was attacked while taking video of protesters.
Tim Carpenter:
Leave my phone alone.
Woman:
Delete it!
Trevor Keller:
He was treated by medics and later tweeted he was sore and may have suffered a concussion. Governor Tony Evers issued a response early Wednesday, saying, “I want to be clear. Violence against any person, whether in the middle of the street in broad daylight, at home trying to sleep, going for a run or happening upon a protest as was the case last night, is wrong.” Assembly Republican leadership called for Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway and Governor Evers to take more forceful action against violent protesters.
Robin Vos:
How about if within a matter of hours we’re able to deploy the police so it never happens in the first place? That’s really where it seems like the priorities are upside down. We don’t want to spend the taxpayers’ money just cleaning up the violence. We want to spend the taxpayers’ money protecting the public and ensuring that it never occurs in the first place.
Trevor Keller:
Activist Ebony Anderson-Carter spoke near the base of the statue titled “Forward.” It was torn down Tuesday and she says that’s symbolic.
Ebony Anderson-Carter:
We’re not moving forward. We’re moving backwards. So this don’t need to be here until we’re ready to move forward.
Trevor Keller:
Reporting in Madison for “Here & Now,” I’m Trevor Keller.
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