Scott Walker has eradicated freedom of expression, free speech, and freedom to assemble in Wisconsin
[Photo credit: Anne Savage, special to Eclectablog]
This is shocking and can’t help but lead to lawsuits. Singers singing protest songs in the Wisconsin state Capitol building have been getting arrested in large numbers this week. Great coverage of this at Daily Kos by “Giles Goat Boy” from Wisconsin.
But now it’s not just the protest singers being arrested. People watching them are being arrested. Many of those watching (not clapping or singing along or participating in any way) are simply tourists, curious about what is happening. Capitol police declared the singing “an unlawful event” and that anyone watching was “participating in an unlawful event” and subject to arrest.
And then they began handcuffing and arresting them. For watching people sing protest songs in the Capitol rotunda.
I’m honestly at a loss for words. In Michigan, Republicans locked people out of the Capitol building last December so that they could pass right to work legislation without witnesses or protest. Now in Wisconsin, you can be arrested not only for exercising your right to freedom of expression and freedom of speech but also of simply being present when these things are happening.
Attorney General Eric Holder, we have a constitution to protect in Wisconsin STAT! and your presence and participation is required. Just be careful they don’t arrest YOU, of course.
