Still trying to get some more detail on this, but a couple of Wisconsin groups on Facebook are reporting on a stabbing at the WI State Capitol today.
Here is what is being reported.
Ron Blair, assistant director of the Division of State Facilities, tried to stab a woman protester and/or her red balloon about an hour ago at the Capitol during the sing along. He ended up stabbing himself, blood all over the Capitol 2nd floor steps. He pushed the woman into the bathroom and ran out the building, two protesters in tow. Chief Tubbs is investigating.
Some more info
Solidarity Singer, Leslie Amsterdam has made it a habit of bringing heart shaped balloons to staff members in the Capitol as of late.
Capitol staff member, Ron Blair has developed a growing hatred for balloons since people started releasing a few balloons in memory of the one that stood vigil at the top of the dome during the protests this winter.
Things took a terrible turn this afternoon when Ron and his deep-seated hatred ran across Leslie outside the Supreme Court chambers today.
With her balloon in hand - set to deliver -not release, Ron pulled out a knife intending to pop Leslie's balloon. They scuffled. He stabbed himself instead
This may not have been an act of intentionally trying to cut a protestor with a knife by Mr. Blair. Nevertheless, an irresponsible act of swinging a knife in the direction of an object in the hands of a peaceful protestor is truly reprehensible and needs to be fully investigated, particularly as it follows in the wake of other observed and alleged acts of violence in and around the Capitol building, violence entailing assaults by those on the right.
Update: Thanks to Zenbassoon for the link to a video showing a woman being followed for carrying inn the sorts of red balloons at the center of this story.
1:52 PM PT: Update II: Rachel Maddow is now carrying this story on her blog
http://maddowblog.msnbc.msn.com/...
"Why would a government worker try to puncture a balloon? Funny you should ask. Red, heart-shaped balloons have become a symbol of the protest movement in the capitol--all because one little balloon floated skyward one day and stayed there. Update: a commenter notes that the government' worker's motivation may not be political, which is a cautionary note well worth taking."
2:11 PM PT: Update III
This is from a Facebook contact who is also one of the sing-along organizers and is for me a very reliable source. Here is what he has to say.
"Capitol Facilities Manager Ron Blair came up behind Leslie Amsterdam as she was about to pose for a photo with a balloon and stabbed it multiple times. She didn't know who he was and repeatedly asked him for id. When she said she was going to file an incident report with the police he grabbed her and threw her into a bathroom door. She didn't know if he still had the knife. She was not cut but she was assaulted."
Right now, though, there appear to be conflicting reports in terms of what Blair has apparently said to police and what other witnesses are saying.
http://host.madison.com/...