My fellow Killing the Buddha editor Quince Mountain is, as we blog-speak, in the occupied Capitol building of Madison, Wisconsin. Over the course of yesterday, he and I had an extended text-message exchange, which tells the dramatic story of a rumored crackdown, a victory, celebrations, and preparations for the next crisis. The full account of yesterday appears on Waging Nonviolence and The Huffington Post. Here’s a bit of it:
I got a disconcerting message.
Texting from cop car
I asked, “Why? What happened?” It wasn’t until almost two hours later that he responded.
No no. I was just hanging out talking w a cop in her car outside the Capitol.
She said there have been zero arrests the whole two weeks. And we hung out in her car and a delivery guy tried to give us pizzas “donated from Washington” but she couldn’t accept them.
The cops have been marching with the protesters twice daily. And I just read some of the cop briefing emails. Which strike me.
Wait, I should be clear. There may have been arrests. Madison pd is NOT the Capitol pd or the state troopers.
Plan for tomorrow according to email I saw is that everyone’s requested to leave the Capitol for cleaning by 4pm but that no one will be forcibly removed. Same as is stated publicly.
Yeah. Egyptians have donated food and pizzas and have sent messages.
Tomorrow breakfast w my cop friend and a state assembly staffer and an in-home therapist in danger of losing his job, among others.
It’s really worth reading the whole thing. An amazing day.
I heard from Q again this morning. “Awoke to six state trooper boots ascending stone steps,” he wrote.
Like 30 more trooper boots kist as my eyes fell rest. Overhear “wr have it confirmed that theyre not supposed to be [here?]” Friend in the corner shakes his head after two walk past into a doorway. It’s the aftershave that kills you.