Trip Report: My observations at the Madison, WI rally

[Jimbo S]

I consider myself an open-minded guy. I went as an observer to see state history, but also to observe the demographics and the messaging.

Report:
Observations:
• Two flags stood above the others: American and Trump. That right there should discredit the rally.
• Two thousand people maximum on the lawn. Fewer than ten percent with a mask. Social distancing not practiced.
• I found interesting a half-dozen guys in moss “2A” caps eating take-out Ian’s Pizza. Ian’s is a progressive company that supplied food to the ACT-10 protestors.
• Honestly, only saw five P.O.C.
• The line of vehicles around the Capitol extended maybe a mile down East Washington Avenue.
• A man drove his tractor, but was upset when Madison police refused to let him utilize any parking spaces due to the width of his tractor.
• Two young men carrying assault rifles walked past me. They weren’t going to allow me six feet, so I had to hop out of the way.
• Only saw just the two firearms. No Confederate flags present.
• Most of their ire was directed towards Governor Evers. Not at all towards President Trump for any contribution he may have caused towards this situation.
• Three people wanted to make it an anti-choice rally. A few people expressing their religious liberty. Several more expressing personal economic concerns, which I can understand. I would say more than half fell into two camps: 1) selfish libertarians with their panties in a bunch because they can’t go out for wings on Saturday and/or 2) an excuse to get out and fly their TRUMP flag with other like minded people.

Speakers:
• Woman who complained no porta-potties for the rally (rally permit was denied, hence no bathrooms). The government is there to protect them. So they are protesting the policies the government has in place to protect public health. The irony…
• Three speakers devoting the next twenty minutes injecting religion. One saying the pandemic is not COVID, but instead it is fear. To be with the Lord is to not to be in fear.
• A guy 63 years old recounting how during flu, Swine, Ebola, H1N1, Zika outbreaks society did not shut down like it has now.
• *went for a walk around the square to see the vehicle caravan and the speeches were getting boring.*
• A family doctor from Cudahy (who by design set up his practice in low-income areas and on a bus line to reach otherwise forgotten people) was persuading that the cure is worse than the disease, citing that unemployed people can no longer afford their medications for asthma, diabetes, etc. He spoke eloquently and really didn’t have any beefs with what he said. The best speech of the afternoon.
• The opponent of Congressperson Kind spoke yadda yadda yadda. She did mention the WMC proposal that was released Friday morning. I’m no fan of the WMC, but their plan on surface is something I may get on board with.
• A woman who was declared COVID-positive, but in hindsight most likely didn’t have it speculated the books may be cooked. Possibly hospitals get more government money if they report higher positive cases. Said her primary won’t see her now due to her positive diagnosis being on her record.
• *done with the shit show, departed prior to the rally ending.*

[Ferrets are Cool]

1. Why no citations for unlawful assembly? Was there a police presence?

Were the POC part of this fiasco or were they like you, just observing.

The only problem I have ( and this is MY problem, not yours) is that you will be counted as one of 10's of thousands that protested today in Madison.

[Jimbo S]

9. POC

An interracial family, supporters of the rally.

In Wisconsin, the State Capitol occupies a square of land, surrounded by streets. The Capitol has its own police force. Several Madison police lined along the outer ring where I was. (Note: I was not amongst the rally goers. I kept across the street). Madison police has no jurisdiction of the Capitol. No citations issued, maybe the Capitol police figured doing so would cause an otherwise peaceful situation to escalate.

[Ferrets are Cool]

11. Thanks

[John Ludi]

2. Thank you

for posting this...I was curious to hear how different it was in my adopted state. Sounds like the usual, but with less guns and swastikas.

[BComplex]

3. WMC Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce

Not everyone is from the cheezy state.

[pwb]

4. I wouldn't waste one second on any of them.

They are a danger to themselves and others.

[smirkymonkey]

5. Thanks for posting.

Very interesting to read.

[Laelth]

7. +1 n/t

-Laelth

[Rorey]

6. Wow, COVID-19 positive and proud to be there?

What an inconsiderate idiot.

Thanks for the update.

[Mike 03]

8. Well done.

When you mentioned porta potties it reminded me that experts still are not certain whether the virus shed in stool is alive and contagious or not. I wonder if porta potties could be vectors of contagion, and maybe we should allow them at MAGA rallies after all.

[sinkingfeeling]

10. You took too great of a risk to report this. Be safe.

[dhill926]

12. thx for posting....I was wondering how this went...

many family and friends in the once great state...