Updated: 11:53 am CST February 28, 2011
MADISON, Wis. -- No additional demonstrators will be allowed into the state Capitol until those currently in the building comply with police directives.
SLIDESHOW: See More Photos Of State Capitol Protests |
READ: Overview Of Social Media On Capitol Protests
The state Department of Administration isn't allowing protesters to come into the state Capitol on Monday morning because of new restrictions instituted at the building Capitol police are preventing people from entering the building, saying they need more demonstrators who have stayed inside the Capitol during the past two weeks of protests to leave first. Department of Administration executive assistant Jodi Jensen released a statement Monday morning explaining why people are not being let in the building.
“When the state Capitol closed at 4 p.m. last night, the majority of protesters voluntarily left the building as requested by the Capitol police," Jensen said in the statement. "Of those who remained, all but a few have voluntarily complied with the request of law enforcement to remain in a designed area of the building. Officers in the building are continuing to work with those few individuals to gain their compliance.
“No additional protesters will be allowed into the building until this situation is resolved," she said. "Once it is, law enforcement will continue to implement the procedures that were announced this morning. Under those procedures, protesters will be allowed into the building, but crowd size will be adjusted to accommodate the cleaning crews, the preparation for the Tuesday’s joint legislative session and the number of protesters who remained in the building overnight.”
Officials said that people coming into the Capitol will need to have official business with lawmakers or be there to attend a hearing, following new restrictions announced by DOA officials.
DOA officials said some protesters who refused to leave Sunday night have ignored orders to remain on the ground floor of the Capitol. Police didn't forcibly remove protesters, allowing them to remain for another night.
These restrictions follow two weeks of protests inside the building due to Gov. Scott Walker's controversial budget repair proposal. The Assembly passed the measure last week, but the state Senate can't pass the bill because 14 Democrats have left the state to thwart a vote.
A cleaning crew continues to work on cleaning up the Capitol, with a second shift cleaning through the day on Monday and a third wrapping up on Monday night, officials said.
“Visitors will continue to have access to the state Capitol but traffic through the building will be reduced to allow for a thorough cleaning and then to ensure the safety and security of everyone attending the governor’s speech on Tuesday night,” said Jensen.
According to a press release sent out by DOA officials, visitors will be admitted to meet with legislators and other officials who work in the building, to attend committee hearings, and to observe the state Assembly and state Senate if they are in session. The press release also said that visitors who do not have an appointment but who wish to see their legislators or meet with others in the building can get assistance from Capitol police, who will be stationed at the King Street entrance.
The release said protesters will be allowed into the building, but crowd size will be adjusted to accommodate preparation for the Tuesday’s joint legislative session and the number of protesters who remained in the building overnight.
"Citizens who have joined rallies at the Capitol over the last two weeks have been respectful and cooperative and I extend my sincere thanks to them and to the protest organizers who have voluntarily agreed to assist in the effort to return to normal business hours," Jensen said. "I would ask for them to hang in there with us as cleaning crews and law enforcement do their work inside the building."
According to Jensen, the procedures will be assessed on Monday evening and any changes will be announced to the public. A daily evaluation will continue into the week and the public will be alerted to any changes in procedure.
Officials said crowd sizes may be adjusted throughout the day to prepare for Gov. Scott Walker's Tuesday afternoon budget address. Walker will unveil his budget to a joint session of the Legislature in the Assembly chambers.
The state Department of Administration isn't allowing protesters to come into the state Capitol on Monday morning because of new restrictions instituted at the building Capitol police are preventing people from entering the building, saying they need more demonstrators who have stayed inside the Capitol during the past two weeks of protests to leave first. Department of Administration executive assistant Jodi Jensen released a statement Monday morning explaining why people are not being let in the building.
“When the state Capitol closed at 4 p.m. last night, the majority of protesters voluntarily left the building as requested by the Capitol police," Jensen said in the statement. "Of those who remained, all but a few have voluntarily complied with the request of law enforcement to remain in a designed area of the building. Officers in the building are continuing to work with those few individuals to gain their compliance.
“No additional protesters will be allowed into the building until this situation is resolved," she said. "Once it is, law enforcement will continue to implement the procedures that were announced this morning. Under those procedures, protesters will be allowed into the building, but crowd size will be adjusted to accommodate the cleaning crews, the preparation for the Tuesday’s joint legislative session and the number of protesters who remained in the building overnight.”
Officials said that people coming into the Capitol will need to have official business with lawmakers or be there to attend a hearing, following new restrictions announced by DOA officials.
DOA officials said some protesters who refused to leave Sunday night have ignored orders to remain on the ground floor of the Capitol. Police didn't forcibly remove protesters, allowing them to remain for another night.
These restrictions follow two weeks of protests inside the building due to Gov. Scott Walker's controversial budget repair proposal. The Assembly passed the measure last week, but the state Senate can't pass the bill because 14 Democrats have left the state to thwart a vote.
A cleaning crew continues to work on cleaning up the Capitol, with a second shift cleaning through the day on Monday and a third wrapping up on Monday night, officials said.
“Visitors will continue to have access to the state Capitol but traffic through the building will be reduced to allow for a thorough cleaning and then to ensure the safety and security of everyone attending the governor’s speech on Tuesday night,” said Jensen.
According to a press release sent out by DOA officials, visitors will be admitted to meet with legislators and other officials who work in the building, to attend committee hearings, and to observe the state Assembly and state Senate if they are in session. The press release also said that visitors who do not have an appointment but who wish to see their legislators or meet with others in the building can get assistance from Capitol police, who will be stationed at the King Street entrance.
The release said protesters will be allowed into the building, but crowd size will be adjusted to accommodate preparation for the Tuesday’s joint legislative session and the number of protesters who remained in the building overnight.
"Citizens who have joined rallies at the Capitol over the last two weeks have been respectful and cooperative and I extend my sincere thanks to them and to the protest organizers who have voluntarily agreed to assist in the effort to return to normal business hours," Jensen said. "I would ask for them to hang in there with us as cleaning crews and law enforcement do their work inside the building."
According to Jensen, the procedures will be assessed on Monday evening and any changes will be announced to the public. A daily evaluation will continue into the week and the public will be alerted to any changes in procedure.
Officials said crowd sizes may be adjusted throughout the day to prepare for Gov. Scott Walker's Tuesday afternoon budget address. Walker will unveil his budget to a joint session of the Legislature in the Assembly chambers.
Previous Stories:
- February 28, 2011: Overnight Stays Continue At Capitol
- February 28, 2011: Walker Stands Firm On 'Meet The Press'
- February 28, 2011: Protests Good Business For Local Pizza Place
- February 27, 2011: Overview Of Social Media On Capitol Protests
- February 27, 2011: Walker Says Protests Haven't Swayed Him
- February 27, 2011: Streets Around Capitol Fill With Protesters
- February 26, 2011: See Viewers' Photos Of State Capitol Protests
- February 26, 2011: Assembly Passes Governor's Budget Repair Bill
- February 25, 2011: Teachers In Town For Meeting Take Part In Protests
- February 25, 2011: Assembly Defeats Last Changes To Union Bill
- February 25, 2011: Police To Begin Limiting Access To Capitol
- February 25, 2011: NJ Unions Hold Unity Rally For Wisconsin Workers
- February 25, 2011: Protesters Stay At Capitol Overnight
- February 25, 2011: Union Workers Rally In Rock County
- February 24, 2011: UW-La Crosse Faculty OKs Union Representation
- February 23, 2011: Hoffa Joins Rally At Wisconsin Capitol
- February 23, 2011: LA County Unionists Joining Wisconsin Protest
- February 23, 2011: Report: Ind. Deputy AG Urged Police To Shoot Wis. Protesters
- February 23, 2011: Walker Says Union Bill's Passage Critical To State Budget
- February 23, 2011: Assembly Democrats Try Filibuster To Delay Union Bill
- February 23, 2011: Walker Warns Of 'Dire Consequences'
- February 22, 2011: Jesse Jackson Returns To State Capitol Protest
- February 22, 2011: Protesters At Capitol Are Undeterred
- February 22, 2011: Walker Says Layoff Notices Could Be Sent Soon
- February 22, 2011: Democrats Claim Walker Administration Blocked Opposition Website
- February 22, 2011: Protesters Find Ill. Hotel Where State Democrats Hold Media Briefings
- February 22, 2011: Madison Protests Get International Attention
- February 22, 2011: Union Head Calls On Teachers To Go To Work
- February 22, 2011: Assembly Praises Police Response To Protests
- February 21, 2011: Walker Rejects Compromise As Capitol Protests Continue
- February 21, 2011: State Assembly, Senate To Meet Tuesday
- February 21, 2011: GOP Won't Vote On Union Bill Without Democrats
- February 21, 2011: Madison Weather That Hindered Protests To Improve
- February 21, 2011: State Senate Stalemate Continues
- February 20, 2011: Leader Of Wis. Law Enforcement Association 'Regrets' Endorsing Walker
- February 20, 2011: Protests Start For 6th Day At State Capitol
- February 20, 2011: Excuse Notes From Doctors At Protests Draw Scrutiny
- February 20, 2011: Madison Winter Games Deal With Relocation
- February 20, 2011: Peaceful Protests Lead To No Arrests
- February 20, 2011: Packers' Woodson Supports State Union Workers
- February 20, 2011: Weather Could Complicate Further Protests
- February 20, 2011: 60,000 Gather In Downtown Madison
- February 19, 2011: Union Protest Gains Support On Day 5
- February 19, 2011: Teachers Union Asks People To Come To Capitol
- February 19, 2011: Out-Of-State Supporters Pick Up Tab For Protesters
- February 19, 2011: Security Prepares For Saturday’s Rallies
- February 19, 2011: Teacher Shortage Closes State's Largest School District
- February 19, 2011: Walker Says Budget Plan Will Happen
- February 19, 2011: Protesters Boost Downtown Businesses
- February 19, 2011: Review: Pianist Wows MSO Audience
- February 18, 2011: Senate Leaders Sends State Troopers After Democrat
- February 18, 2011: Tea Party Groups Plan Wisconsin Rally
- February 18, 2011: Union Leaders Vow Protests Won't Stop
- February 18, 2011: Watch Capitol Live Blog
- February 18, 2011: Watch Capitol Live Blog
- February 18, 2011: Protesters Push Boycott Of Walker's Supporters
- February 18, 2011: Gov. Calls Democrat Boycott 'Stunt'
- February 17, 2011: Reporters Share Videos Of Protests
- February 17, 2011: Madison Schools, Other Districts Cancel Classes Thursday
- February 17, 2011: Nine Arrested As Capitol Protests Continue
- February 17, 2011: Thousands Protest Union Bill At State Capitol
- February 17, 2011: Protests Alter Bus Service Near State Capitol
- February 17, 2011: Listening Session At Capitol Finally Over
- February 17, 2011: Union Bill Clears Committee, State Senate To Consider Thursday
- February 16, 2011: Oregon Students Walkout In Protest
- February 16, 2011: Obama Says He's Monitoring Tensions In Madison
- February 15, 2011: Thousands Converge For Rallies, Hearing On Union Bill
- February 15, 2011: Madison School Superintendent Warns Of Staff Absences
- February 15, 2011: Unions, Opponents Fight Back Against Walker Proposal
- February 14, 2011: Anger At Walker's Proposals Grows
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