Bystander Video Shows Police Briefing Being Overrun
Madison, Wisconsin, has long been one of the most progressive cities in the country. Its politics are well known, and its debates over policing often reflect that reality. But regardless of whether a city leans left or right, there is a basic expectation that law enforcement will maintain order during official public events. That expectation […]
Madison, Wisconsin, has long been one of the most progressive cities in the country. Its politics are well known, and its debates over policing often reflect that reality. But regardless of whether a city leans left or right, there is a basic expectation that law enforcement will maintain order during official public events.
That expectation appeared to break down this week.
Madison Police Chief John Patterson held a news conference following the fatal police shooting of Corey Ruiz, a homeless man who died after an encounter with officers. Before long, the briefing devolved into chaos as protesters interrupted Patterson, one of them eventually taking over the podium while another displayed a sign reading, “Corrupt cops deserve to die too!! F*** you kill Peterson .”
For critics of the department’s response, what happened next was even more striking than the interruption itself.
Rather than immediately removing the protesters or restoring order, officials allowed the disruption to continue for an extended period as the speaker launched into a wide-ranging political monologue touching on Zionism, colonialism, capitalism, socialism, Palestine, Sudan, Venezuela, and what he described as “revolutionary intercommunalism.”
At one point, the protester declared, “Have no fear, the anti-Zionist is here!”
The speech continued for roughly 15 minutes before Patterson again attempted to resume the briefing, politely asking the man to leave.
For many observers, that response projected restraint. For others, it projected weakness.
The news conference came amid heightened scrutiny over the shooting of Ruiz.
According to the Associated Press, bystander video captured portions of the confrontation between Ruiz and police officers. Madison officers were not wearing body cameras because the city previously decided against adopting them, citing both financial considerations and concerns raised by community groups that the technology could be used to surveil marginalized communities.