MADISON (WKOW) -- Responding to criticism from Rep. Chris Taylor (D-Madison) over the 110 citations issued to Capitol protesters this year, Department of Adminstration officials fired back Friday.
On November 30, Rep. Taylor put out a news release stating that prosecutors for the Wisconsin Department of Justice had dropped its case against a protestor who was cited for holding a banner at the Capitol.
Rep. Taylor called for Capitol Police Chief David Erwin to desist the the practice of handing out what she referred to as "unlawful citations."
DOA Spokesperson Stephanie Marquis released the following statement in response:
"There is only one group who refuses to follow Wisconsin's Administrative Code that has been on the books since 1979. Why should the Capitol Police ignore them, which is what some people are saying they should do. If any other police department turned their head on a group of people and said they don't have to follow the same laws as everyone else, people would rightly cry foul. The police will not discriminate and look the other way. That's not what any of us expect of a law enforcement officer. Period."
Marquis also said that while one charge against the protester Rep. Taylor referred to was dropped, another citation against the same person for not having a permit, is still pending.
A Spokesperson for the Department of Justice told 27 News that out of 110 citations issued, only four have been dismissed.
