Wisconsin Police Union Press Release: We Will Not Close the Capitol
HEAD OF POLICE UNION ASKS GOVERNOR TO KEEP CAPITOL OPEN AND ANNOUNCES LAW ENFORCEMENT SLEEPOVER
MADISON—Following action by lawmakers to approve a rule change that clears
the way for closing down the State Capitol and ejecting the people protesting
Governor Walker’s bill to curtail union activity, the head of the Wisconsin
Professional Police Association called on the governor today to keep the capitol
building open and allow the peaceful protesters to remain.
“The law enforcement officers from across the state that have been working at
the Capitol and have been very impressed with how peaceful everyone has
been,” said WPPA Executive Director Jim Palmer. “As has been reported in the
media, the protesters are cleaning up after themselves and have not caused any
problems. The fact of that matter is that Wisconsin’s law enforcement community
opposes Governor Walker’s effort to eliminate most union activity in this state,
and we implore him to not do anything to increase the risk to officers and the
public. The costs of providing security can never outweigh those associated with
a conflict.”
Palmer also announced that, beginning tonight, the WPPA is formally requesting
its members from across the state to come to the Capitol to sleep amongst the
throngs of other union supporters.
“Law enforcement officers know the difference between right and wrong, and
Governor Walker’s attempt to eliminate the collective voice of Wisconsin’s
devoted public employees is wrong,” continued Palmer. “That is why we have
stood with our fellow employees each day and why we will be sleeping among
them tonight.”
