Several Democratic members of the Assembly, frustrated by the public’s lack of access to the Capitol, moved desks and chairs from their offices to meet with constituents on Wednesday afternoon.

The lawmakers and their staff carted out the furniture and began meeting with members of the public who have had trouble gaining entry to the Capitol.

The Department of Administration restricted access to the building beginning on Sunday night, and the effect of the decision has been to sharply limit the number of people entering the Capitol.

A few hundred people remain inside the building, but the cumbersome process of gaining entry by escort has reduced the number of people coming into the building.

“We are out here because our governor and the Department of Administration are ignoring a judge’s court order,” said Assembly Minority Leader Peter Barca (D-Kenosha.)

Dane County Circuit Court Judge Daniel R. Moeser issued a temporary restraining order on Tuesday to open the Capitol. A hearing on the case by another judge, John Albert, began on Tuesday and continued all day Wednesday.

Rep. Fred Clark (D-Baraboo, shown above) said he brought his desk outside about 2:20 p.m.

“If we have to go outside of the building to do our business, we’ll do it,” Clark said.

He was joined Rep. Nick Milroy (D-South Range), Cory Mason (D-Racine) and the staff of Rep. Josh Zepnick (D-Milwaukee.)

As the lawmakers met with members of the public, Assembly Chief Clerk Patrick Fuller confronted the legislators and told them to return the furniture to the Capitol.

“It’s state property – you can’t bring furniture outside,” Fuller said. Fuller said he was directed by the Department of Administration to tell the lawmakers to return the furniture.

Barca held out his credit card and told Fuller that if there was any damage, he would pay for it. Fuller eventually walked back inside.

Barca said Walker’s efforts to limit entry to the Capitol have gone too far.

Some lawmakers have also had trouble getting into the building, Barca said,

He added that former U.S. Rep. David Obey (D-Wis.) also was denied access on Wednesday when he tried to attend a meeting at the Capitol.

The Department of Administration has said it believes it has the power to limit access to the Capitol to assure safety and keep the building clean.

Said Barca: “Women have had their purses and cameras lying around – and nothing’s been stolen. We have been a model for the nation.”