Responding to Saturday night’s rioting in Madison, Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway declared a state of emergency through June 3 and imposed a curfew on Madison’s Isthmus that continued into Sunday night and Monday morning, but the curfew did not stop some from hitting the streets for a second night, as police used tear gas and pepper spray to subdue demonstrators.
At the request of the City of Madison, Gov. Tony Evers has authorized the Wisconsin National Guard to support the Madison community’s response to those that have disrupted otherwise peaceful protests.
The mayor’s declaration comes after a group of people responded with violence to the police-involved death of George Floyd in Minneapolis last week, which sparked both peaceful protests and violent demonstrations in cities across the U.S.
In Madison, a peaceful protest at the Capitol was overshadowed by others who shattered glass, destroyed property, and engaged in the looting of businesses, primarily along State Street. About 75 businesses sustained damage or were looted — in some cases both — on Saturday, according to Madison police.
Even after Madison residents gathered during the day on Sunday to help clean up the damage done on State Street the night before, more windows were broken in demonstrations on Sunday evening, although the damage wasn’t nearly as widespread.
In announcing the curfew, Rhodes-Conway noted the curfew is not in response to the peaceful and legitimate protests that took place earlier Saturday. She also warned anyone from outside the city not to come to Madison to inflame the situation, as others have reportedly done in other cities.
“To anyone from outside Madison, seeking to foment trouble and harm our community: this emergency order is also directed at you. We don’t want you here, and we reject any attempt to incite violence,” Rhodes-Conway stated.
Alder Mike Verveer of District 4, who represents the area hardest hit by disturbances, called the developments worse than any of the Halloween riots he has witnessed in terms of the amount of looting and property damage. “This is a very dangerous situation, people live above all of these stores being breached. I strongly support and thank the Mayor for imposing a curfew,” Verveer stated.
Verveer also encouraged everyone in Madison who wants to protest the killing of George Floyd to follow the lead of Madison’s black leaders and the black-led organizations that organized the peaceful protest on Saturday afternoon.
While the curfew is in effect until Monday morning, the state of emergency is in effect until June 3. It will be considered by the Common Council at its June 2 meeting.
Guarding the city
In deploying the Wisconsin National Guard, Gov. Evers released the following statement:
“It is critical that people are able to peacefully and safely express their anger and frustration about systemic racism and injustice. Last night in Madison, we unfortunately saw a few bad actors commit acts of vandalism and violence that put people at risk. It was very clear those who were peacefully protesting were also taking great efforts to deescalate the instigators, at times subjecting themselves to violent outbursts.
“This limited authorization of citizen soldiers from the Wisconsin National Guard will help protect people who are exercising their First Amendment rights and ensure the safety of the public.”
Violence and property destruction has occurred nationwide after a cell phone video that went viral showed Floyd lying in the street as Minneapolis police Officer Derek Chauvin had his knee pressed to the back of Floyd’s neck for nearly nine minutes. In the video, Floyd is seen gasping for air and pleading with Chauvin to stop as bystanders are heard shouting at the officer to take his knee off Floyd’s neck. Floyd eventually died in police custody.
Chauvin has since been fired, arrested, and charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter — charges that could still be enhanced as the investigation continues. Three other officers who failed to intervene on Floyd’s behalf were fired and may face criminal charges, as well.
