Madison city crews clear protest encampment, 10 arrested so far

MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) - City of Madison crews are starting to clear out the intersection of Williamson and Baldwin streets, nearly two weeks after a Madison police officer shot and killed 38-year-old Corey Ruiz at the location.

WMTV journalists on scene observed city trucks, along with the Wisconsin State Patrol, arriving around 4:45 a.m. to streets around the intersection.

Initially, Madison Police told the WMTV crew on scene it was a city operation right now and police will help if it gets violent.

Around 5 a.m., crews gave people in the encampment a verbal warning to remove their things and leave.

Around 5:15 a.m., flames could be seen in the middle of the intersection of Williamson Street, near Fire Station 3. Fire trucks and the Madison Police Department Special Events team in riot gear could be seen responding to the fire.

WMTV’s Tabitha Bland confirmed with an official that three fires were started by protestors throwing memorial candles in the air. Those fires have since been put out.

Drone video from WMTV shows there is a group of protesters standing and blocking the middle of the intersection of Baldwin and Williamson Street, protecting the memorial for Corey Ruiz, preventing city crews from clearing it. Police officers in riot gear are surrounding the intersection.

Police told WMTV a total of 10 people have been arrested as of 6:50 a.m. Tuesday.

City officials said people who are unhoused and have been staying in the encampment will be taken by city bus to hotels where they can stay.

Items that were in the street and removed by city crews are being taken to Demetral Park on N. 6th Street, not far from Madison East High School. People will be able to go there to retrieve their items.

The area has remained closed since the deadly MPD shooting on July 22.

In the immediate aftermath, the intersection became a place for protesters to gather and build a memorial, until demonstrators started making barricades and creating an encampment.

City leaders have made several calls in the past week for this encampment to be cleared, including statements from Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway.

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