Monday, February 28, 2011

Police Block Protesters From Entering State Capitol

Updated: 11:53 am CST February 28, 2011
No additional demonstrators will be allowed into the state Capitol until those currently in the building comply with police directives.
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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.

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