Labor & Employment Law

Madison Chief Police Says Walker?s Talk of Using Provocateurs ?Troubling?

By Mike Hall

Madison [Wis.] Chief of Police Nobel Wray says that Gov. Scott Walker?s (R) admission that he  had discussed planting troublemakers to provoke protestors in the peaceful crowds in Madison is ?very unsettling and troubling.?

Earlier this week, Walker believed he was on the phone with right-wing, extremist billionaire David Koch. But he was actually speaking to a blogger who recorded and posted the conversation about Walker?s strategy for his legislation to deny public service workers the right to bargaining for good jobs. Walker?s office has confirmed the conversation.

Walker was asked if he had considered sending provocateurs to infiltrate the crowd of workers, many of whom came with family members, including children. Walker said ?We thought about that.?  But he said after discussion, abandoned the idea.

In a statement Wray said

I find it very unsettling and troubling that anyone would consider creating safety risks for our citizens and law enforcement officers. Our department works hard dialoging with those who are exercising their First Amendment right, those from both sides of the issue, to make sure we are doing everything we can to ensure they can demonstrate safely. I am concerned that anyone would try to undermine these relationships. I have a responsibility to the community, and to the men and women of this department?who are working long hours protecting and serving this community?to find out more about what was being considered by state leaders.

Full post as published by AFL-CIO NOW BLOG on February 24, 2011 (boomark / email).