Three Straight Nights of Violence in Madison

A third night of protests took place in Madison Monday night, as nine people were arrested once property was destroyed and assaults were reported. Protests began early Monday afternoon, with protesters blocking traffic on John Nolen Drive. From there, they marched toward the state capitol, where protests continued well into the night and into the early morning hours. Even as the city’s 9:30 p.m. curfew time came and went, officers made no attempt to engage or break up the rally at the Capitol. At about 1 a.m., most of the protesters went home. Reports say that anyone that stayed behind to vandalize and loot stores on State Street were separate from the group that remained peaceful through the day. Officers and members of the National Guard started to assemble at the top of State Street at approximately 1:30 a.m., after reports of looting and other violence. According to Madison Police, one person on State Street fired multiple gun shots into the air, and two people were attacked with crowbars. Others were seen trying to light Molotov cocktails. Chemical agents were used after officers were hit with rocks and other thrown items. Several windows were smashed along State Street and stores were looted. Earlier in the day, protesters had largely policed themselves, speaking out against violence and stopping those who tried to smash store windows.