6. SEIU scuffle: The owner of the Easy Street Cafe in Madison called 911 when a group of union protesters, led by members of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 1199, stormed his restaurant and verbally accosted seven Republican state senators who were sharing a meal after a vote at the capitol. The group of about 10 people chanted and shouted obscenities at the legislators. When asked to leave by the owner, they refused and got into a scuffle with the restaurant staff.
There IS NO "Easy Street Cafe" in Madison. Google it.
3. Damage to capitol: The state capitol in Madison sustained $7.5 million in damage from the tens of thousands of protesters gathered to voice opposition to the union reform vote. Most of the damage came from tape used to attach signs and placards to the marble walls inside the capitol rotunda. When the Republicans finally passed the collective bargaining measure, mobs of protesters broke into the state capitol, climbing through windows and creating further damage.
Even the head of Walker's Department of Administration, Mike Heubsch, who'd originally testified to the "7.5 million in damage" to the building from tape, has since admitted he made the number up. The blue painters' tape was suggested to folks inside the building by the Capitol Police after consultation with the building's historical preservationist. There has legitimately been significant damage to the landscaping, with soil compaction at the worst possible time of the year, and efforts are underway from union supporters to create a seed and sod fund.
On as lighter note, spring has unofficially arrived. Around dusk i spotted a flock of nearly 1,000 Canada geese northbound, and shortly thereafter my first sandhill crane of the season.
Comments are closed on this story.