Protesters clash with Madison officers after encampment cleared at police shooting site
MADISON, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Madison city officials worked to clear an encampment on Tuesday morning, Aug. 4, that had formed following a fatal officer-involved shooting in July.
Officials entered the site early in the morning, asking individuals to gather their belongings.
As of 9 a.m., Madison police said the intersection of Williams Street and S. Baldwin Street reopened.
The intersection functioned as a memorial and protest space since the fatal shooting of Corey Ruiz on Wednesday, July 22. According to Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway, the encampment was causing harm to local businesses and area residents. Mayor Rhodes-Conway said rocks and other items were thrown at employees and two fires were set.
A spokesperson with the Madison Police Department told me there have been a total of 17 people arrested on Tuesday.
CBS 58 spoke with one man who said he was arrested about his motivations for staying near the encampment.
"I was snatched up way early," said Samuel Brooks. "I was just standing. I'm standing near the memorial in the middle. They grabbed somebody who was sitting down. I said, 'Leave him alone.' I can't speak for anyone else who has been picked up. I didn't resist when they picked me up. And the only thing I got charged with was resisting. I'll have my day in court. Corey [Ruiz] doesn't get his day court.”
Mayor Rhodes-Conway issued a video statement calling the situation volatile, which is what led to city officials to step in.
Madison Police Department clears encampment
