August 5, 2013 by WCMC

Wisconsin Capitol Police have been arresting people in the Capitol for singing their grievances against the Scott Walker Administration without a permit for the last two weeks.

Today during one of the multiple arrests, Officer Michael J. Syphard grabbed videographer Arthur Kohl-Riggs and threw him to the ground without any kind of warning or request to move.

Officer Syphard told Kohl-Riggs that he fell on purpose and to “cut it out.” Syphard also told him he was a drama queen, a label he also applied to 70 year old Vietnam veteran Will Williams who fell down a set of marble stairs while handcuffed in police custody last week.

Here’s another video with clips from three different angles of the take down:

Capitol Police Chief David Erwin exhibits poor judgment in allowing Officer Syphard to continue to interact with the public in high stress situations. Members of the public have written multiple complaints about Officer Syphard for handling them roughly and causing them injury in the past.

According to on-line court records, last year Syphard was charged with the crimes of Disorderly Conduct (a misdemeanor) and Intimidate Victim/Use or Attempt Force (a felony). Those records indicate that he entered a guilty plea to the Disorderly Conduct charge and the other charge was dismissed. Records indicate that his case remains open, having been referred to the Deferred Prosecution Program.

Contact David Erwin at 608 266-8797.

B2 North

State Capitol

Madison, WI 53702

To support the legal defense fund of those who have received citations over the past two weeks please donate here: solidaritysingalong.org