MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) – A protest following a Madison police officer’s fatal shooting of Corey Ruiz — who police say was armed with a knife during a struggle — has shut down approximately two square blocks of Williamson Street for nearly a week, with no resolution in sight.
Demonstrators set up barricades made of trash cans, wooden pallets and nails at the intersection of Williamson and Baldwin streets, blocking traffic on the busy mixed-use corridor.
Nearby businesses and residents say the closure is affecting their ability to operate and move freely.
Businesses report slowdown
A worker at Buraka Restaurant, Governor House, said traffic to the restaurant has dropped since the closure began.
“To people that aren’t in this area, they’re kind of discouraged about coming to this area,” House said. “If it’s not about the protest, you know, if they’re on the fence or whatnot, they’re just like trying to stay away.”
Another person, who lives within the protest zone and spoke by phone, provided a written statement describing the situation.
“As a resident trapped in the protest zone, I feel the protest turned into a very disrespectful occupation focused on punishing Willy Street for the incident,” the statement read. “It is now a lawless zone and homeless encampment barricaded on all four sides with groups blocking local residences and businesses from surviving.”
Alder says city is working on services, safety
District 6 Alder Davy Mayer said he has heard from more than 100 constituents in recent days. He said the city has been working on basic services, including a plan to use city salt trucks as street blockades in place of the seized trash cans. The city has also placed portable restrooms in the area.
Mayer said a homeless population has also moved into the zone, adding to disruptions.
“There certainly have been poor interactions like that,” Mayer said. “There’s also a large number of our homeless neighbors have come in and have been taking up living in this area too. That’s something that causes disruption.”
Mayer said the group has implemented some self-regulation, including a 10 p.m. curfew for children and overnight quiet hours. He said he could not offer a timeline for a resolution.
“I don’t think the city wants to see a permanent takeover of this intersection,” Mayer said. “But we also don’t want to see a violent clearing of it either. So it’s working with all these parties to find a resolution, which is difficult, which takes time.”
Mayer said he hopes the city can begin pushing barricades back to reopen parts of the street, but said planning is being done hour by hour. He also said he went door to door to nearly all homes in the area on the first day of the closure and has posted updates to his blog. Some residents said they have not received communication.
Mayer said the city hopes to eventually establish a permanent memorial at the site for Corey Ruiz.
House said he wants the protest to continue but urged consideration for local businesses.
“Continue to fight for justice, but allow the small businesses to operate,” House said. “Just want to tell all the small businesses around the neighborhood — just want to tell them to do what they can to keep the doors open during this tough time.”
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