WI Police to Ban Capitol Campouts

Things might start to get ugly in Madison: Police handed out leaflets Friday explaining that protesters’ access to the state capitol would soon be restricted. They also said they would round up sleeping bags, coolers, and folding chairs. Protesters—many of whom have been camping out for eight days straight—will be allowed to stay in the building Friday night, but only on the ground floor—and police have the right to close the building at 6 p.m. Saturday, although it remained unclear if they would do that. Gov. Scott Walker, whose proposed elimination of collective-bargaining rights has caused the protests, did not comment Friday about a possible Capitol building shutdown. Meanwhile, the Wisconsin Assembly approved the Walker’s anti-collective-bargaining bill, but state senate Democrats remained missing Friday afternoon.