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Free Assembly and the First Verdicts from the Trump Inauguration Mass-Arrests

While Donald Trump was being sworn in as president, a small group of protesters took their anger out on K Street property, broke bank windows, and set fire to trashcans and a limo. Law enforcement arrested them... along with hundreds of innocent bystanders, peaceful protesters, human rights observers, and journalists. The charges included rioting, property destruction, and felonies that would leave many in prison for decades.

20 plead guilty. Charges were dropped against another 20. 166 cases went to trial. Few had anything to do with the destructive behavior.

University of Wisconsin Regents Walked Away From the Challenge of Democracy

On October 6th, the University of Wisconsin’s Board of Regents, mostly appointees of Governor Scott Walker, approved the ‘Commitment to Academic Freedom and Freedom of Expression’ policy. If a student is charged with “disorderly conduct” or “disruption of freedom of expression” two times, they will be suspended. Three times and they’ll be expelled.

Wisconsin campuses do not have a big enough problem - presumably protests drowning out other protests or speakers – to warrant this measure. The Regents, stewards of 26 institutions of higher education, are buying into a conservative fad and pandering to Governor Scott who can’t muster the energy to pass similar limitations in Madison.