Walker goon tries to stab protester in Wisconsin Capitol (and manages to stab himself) (2 items)

[Mark Crispin Miller]

MON JUL 25, 2011 AT 01:30 PM PDT

Reports of a stabbing in WI State Capitol

byRandian

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/07/25/998632/-Reports-of-a-stabbing-in-WI-State-Capitol?via=recent

Still trying to get some more detail on this, but a couple of Wisconsin groups on Facebook are reporting on a stabbing at the WI State Capitol today.

Here is what is being reported.

Ron Blair, assistant director of the Division of State Facilities, tried to stab a woman protester and/or her red balloon about an hour ago at the Capitol during the sing along. He ended up stabbing himself, blood all over the Capitol 2nd floor steps. He pushed the woman into the bathroom and ran out the building, two protesters in tow. Chief Tubbs is investigating.

Some more info

Solidarity Singer, Leslie Amsterdam has made it a habit of bringing heart shaped balloons to staff members in the Capitol as of late.

Capitol staff member, Ron Blair has developed a growing hatred for balloons since people started releasing a few balloons in memory of the one that stood vigil at the top of the dome during the protests this winter.

Things took a terrible turn this afternoon when Ron and his deep-seated hatred ran across Leslie outside the Supreme Court chambers today.

With her balloon in hand - set to deliver -not release, Ron pulled out a knife intending to pop Leslie's balloon. They scuffled. He stabbed himself instead

This may not have been an act of intentionally trying to cut a protestor with a knife by Mr. Blair. Nevertheless, an irresponsible act of swinging a knife in the direction of an object in the hands of a peaceful protestor is truly reprehensible and needs to be fully investigated, particularly as it follows in the wake of other observed and alleged acts of violence in and around the Capitol building, violence entailing assaults by those on the right.

Update: Thanks to Zenbassoon for the link to a video showing a woman being followed for carrying inn the sorts of red balloons at the center of this story.

TAGS

Politics blog: Police investigate blood on the floor at Capitol

http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/on-politics/article_e57a7a14-b6f0-11e0-a0cb-001cc4c03286.html

 

By MARY SPICUZZA mspi...@madison.com 608-252-6122 | (9) Comments | Posted: Monday, July 25, 2011 1:32 pm

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Capitol police are investigating an alleged stabbing incident involving a red heart balloon at the state Capitol.

The incident allegedly involved a citizen, a state worker and a balloon, Chief Charles Tubbs said.

"It's an incident that apparently involved a request of removing a balloon," Tubbs said.

Multiple drops of blood could be seen on the second floor outside the state Supreme Court Monday afternoon, and blood drops trailed down the stairs of the East Wing.

Tubbs said the citizen involved told him she had not been injured. The blood appeared to belong to the state worker, he said.

Protesters have been releasing red heart balloons throughout the months of demonstrations, and one balloon from February had hovered for months atop the dome. The heart balloon became a symbol of sorts, complete with its own "Capitol Balloon" Facebook page and "The Heart Balloon" Twitter account.

That balloon vanished in late May, but protesters have been releasing other balloons in its absence. More than a dozen balloons were released in the rotunda Friday, but all had been removed by Monday morning.

The protester involved in Monday's incident told a Capitol police officer that the worker came at her with a knife. She did not appear to be injured, but was holding a blood-smeared paper bag and a popped balloon.

Other protesters who had been attending the daily singalong in the rotunda told the State Journal that the worker said he was sick of removing balloons from the dome and attempted to pop it, but apparently stabbed himself in the process.

Tubbs said the investigation just began and he could not discuss details of the incident. He said the worker is being treated.

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