Overview
- City crews and police dismantled the encampment at Williamson and Baldwin streets and removed pallets, furniture and tents during an early morning operation.
- Madison police arrested at least 10 people after some occupants refused orders to leave and officers moved in to clear the site.
- Officials used garbage trucks and street sweepers to cart away debris and clean the intersection so traffic and businesses could resume normal access.
- The encampment began as a memorial for 38-year-old Corey Ruiz after his July 22 death in a struggle with officers, and the Wisconsin DOJ’s Division of Criminal Investigation is leading the active inquiry.
- Activists and a member of the Police Civilian Oversight Board called the clearance hypocritical given prior city tolerance, and protesters say demonstrations and demands for transparency will continue while the state investigation and a Dane County prosecutor review proceed.