A 12 year old was threatened with arrest in the Wisconsin Assembly visitor’s gallery for pulling out a school notebook to study for her civics test.
Catherine, a 12 year old Wisconsin student, states that she was holding her notebook up to read it when the Sergeant-at-Arms came over and “pushed it forcibly down.”
Catherine’s younger sister and father were observing a mural on the other side of the gallery when the aggression took place, and immediately came over to her aid. Other officers were then called to the scene surrounding Catherine’s father and frightening his daughters as they observed what they thought may be his arrest.
Back in March, the Wisconsin State Assembly changed the rules regarding what isn't allowed in the galleries of the State Assembly and Senate. Included in the banned items for both galleries is an increased crackdown on recording devices being used by the general public.
Some of the other new rules are as follows:
— Visitors must be seated and quiet at all times, with no leaning over the balcony or putting anything (such as signs) over the balcony.
— No signs or public displays, reading of books or newspapers, tobacco products, or food and beverages.
— Cell phones and pagers must be turned off, no photography (video or still) or sound recordings allowed.
— No backpacks or large bags.
— Eating, drinking, smoking, talking, use of mobile phones, laptop computers, video cameras, still cameras, newspapers, bags, briefcases, signs, posters, placards, or hats
— There will be no leaning over railings or sitting in the aisles.
— Any outbursts, such as clapping, cheering, jeering or stomping.
With Wisconsin’s new concealed carry law however, residents are allowed to carry a concealed firearm inside the Assembly gallery.
With Wisconsin’s new concealed carry law however, residents are allowed to carry a concealed firearm inside the Assembly gallery.
Eighteen people were arrested last Tuesday for using cameras in the Assembly gallery, including the editor of The Progressive magazine, Matt Rothschild. Rothschild and others had gone to the capitol to protest a series of arrests in recent weeks of individuals who carried signs or took photos or video in defiance of an Assembly ban.
12 Year Old Threatened with Arrest in WI Assembly For Studying the US Constitution
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