The initial introduction of the new budget by Walker stirred anger and controversy. Protesters gathered at the state capitol for weeks with signs and chants. The people felt so strongly about the issues at hand that they decided to gather at the capitol and sing on a daily basis from noon until one p.m.. A judge decided to put it in writing in March of 2011 that groups of 4 or more individuals would be required to apply for a permit in order to gather and promote their cause. A federal judge overruled the judgment stating that it was unlawful and only larger groups of 20 or more could be required to obtain permits.
The gathering has become known as the "Solidarity Sing Along" over the course of these past 2 years. The participants are individuals who make a decision to sing there and are not a part of a larger, organization. There are no officials over any group of the participants so, there is no one to apply for the permit. The singers usually gather outside when the weather permits and only sing at the noon hour. The employees at the capitol should be able to take their lunches around this time and leave the premises if they are bothered by the singing.
On July 24, 2013 police officers began arresting participants of the sing along and ticketing them with hundreds of dollars in citations. Officials are calling it an "unlawful event" and have been arresting harmless individuals for SINGING. This has been going on for weeks and is an utter disgrace to our constitutional rights. Even observers are being arrested and being told that they are participating and are subject to arrest, just by observing!
Other Resources:
yesterday-i-was-arrested-for-singing-at-the-wi-capitol
why-my-parents-got-arrested-in-madison
More-singing-protesters-arrested-at-wis-capitol
Solidarity-singers-getting-ticketed-at-Capitol
