Democratic Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers activated the state’s National Guard on Wednesday ahead of what is expected to be another night of destructive protests in the capital of Madison.
In a statement released today, Evers said he was enhancing law enforcement in the state’s capital after bystanders were injured and state property was damaged.
“The protests in Madison last night resulted in serious injury to bystanders as well as significant damage to state property,” Evers said in a Wednesday statement. “The Wisconsin National Guard will serve in a limited authorization meant to make sure people can exercise their First Amendment rights while ensuring the safety of members of the public and state buildings and infrastructure.”
On Tuesday, state Sen. Tim Carpenter was assaulted while filming protesters in St. Paul. After the attack, which was videotaped, Carpenter tweeted: “Punched/kicked in the head, neck, ribs. Maybe concussion, socked in left eye is little blurry, sore neck & ribs. 8-10 people attacked me.”
Police clashed with several hundred protesters who threw a Molotov cocktail into a government building and attempted to gain access to St. Paul.
“I want to be clear: violence against any person – whether in the middle of the street in broad daylight, at home trying to sleep, going for a run, or happening upon a protest as was the case last night – is wrong,” Evers wrote in the statement.
