I've been scanning the new diaries for about an hour or so and haven't seen this posted yet, so I'm just going to go ahead and do so. If a diary about this already exists, feel free to disregard. :P
Judge orders State Capitol Building Reopened to the public!!!
I knew when that scumbag Walker attempted to close the Capitol, it wouldn't stand. However, I'm glad this temporary injunction came through this quickly, because it allows those who remain strong in Madison to occupy the building and make their voices heard when Walker reveals his budget this afternoon!
STAY STRONG, FOLKS! I WISH I COULD BE THERE WITH YOU!!
Thanks to marigold for the picture of the order being handed out at the Capitol:
http://twitpic.com/...
Updated by Valdearg at Tue Mar 1, 2011, 01:05:05 PM
Update: According to marigold and cskendrick in the comments below, the Capitol is still under lockdown, despite the Judge's orders. Hopefully this situation gets resolved soon!
Updated by Valdearg at Tue Mar 1, 2011, 01:15:05 PM
Update: PaDemTerry brings attention to this Twitter Post:
Research Ape RT@DefendWisconsin: We have confirmed that there will be a hearing at 2:15 PM on public access to the Capitol in room 4A of the Dane County Courthouse.
Updated by Valdearg at Tue Mar 1, 2011, 01:22 PM
WI Court's public record of the case. This should be updated as the case progresses.
Updated by Valdearg at Tue Mar 1, 2011, 01:22 PM
TPM's coverage
Updated by Valdearg at Tue Mar 1, 2011, 01:30 PM
Many thanks to grannyhelen for Some ACLU Clarification.
"It should be taking effect immediately," says Dupuis. "That's the nature of a temporary restrining order."
But he doesn't expect officials to allow the Capitol to be deluged with protesters as it was last week.
"I'm sure they're not going to just open up the floodgates," he says. "They're probably going get themselves ready to let people in and put them through some kind of screening. And if they don't there's an argument at least that they're in contempt of court."
But the only legitimate screeing would be security-related or for safety issues that limit numbers, such as fire codes, he says.
Updated by Valdearg at Tue Mar 1, 2011, 01:34 PM
Thanks to marigold for The DOA's response to the Restraining order, as well as this awesome picture of protesters waiting to get in.
Updated by Valdearg at Tue Mar 1, 2011, 01:40 PM
Grannyhelen supplies this update.
Madison — A state official said shortly before noon that access to the Capitol will continue to be restricted until lawyers can review a temporary restraining order issued Tuesday morning by a Dane County judge that would open the building to protesters.
A hearing on the order will be held at 2:15 p.m. in the Dane County Courthouse.
Department of Administration spokesman Tim Donovan said limited access to the Capitol will remain in force until the review is completed.
Donovan said it was unclear, after the review, whether the doors would be opened, or whether a modified public access would go into place.
What I don't get is how hard is it to understand? Open the damn doors!