Wisconsin Carry and Madison Five awarded $10,000 judgment against City of Madison/Madison PD

MILWAUKEE, WI - On September 18, 2010 five law abiding Wisconsin residents were peacefully having dinner at a Culver's Restaurant in Madison, Wisconsin. These five individuals, who were legally openly carrying as provided by Wisconsin law had finished their dinner and were preparing to leave the restaurant when they were unlawfully detained by a mass of Madison police officers.

Despite the absence of reasonable suspicion or probable cause of any crime or violation, Madison police illegally demanded identification from the men under the threat of arrest if they did not comply. Two individuals who chose not to comply with the illegal action of the Madison police were subsequently arrested and cited for obstruction. Two days later those unlawfully issued citations were rescinded and all five men, even those who complied with the officers illegal demands were issued citations for disorderly conduct.

Buckeye Firearms Foundation announced an effort to help the Wisconsin five pay for legal fees to fight the charges against them, to which BFF had already committed $2500 in matching funds.

Supporters responded immediately. By the end of the following day, more than twice the original goal of $2500 was raised, and on Wednesday Sept. 29, 2010 a check for $7,500 was mailed to Wisconsin Carry Inc.

On May 5th of 2011, the frivolous disorderly conduct charges against all five men were dropped.

Wisconsin Carry, Inc. a non-profit corporation dedicated to protecting and advancing the right of Wisconsinites to carry in the manner of their choosing, open or concealed, filed a federal lawsuit against the City of Madison and the five Madison Police officers who participated in the unlawful detainment and treatment of these five individuals. A copy of that lawsuit is available here:

http://www.wisconsincarry.org/pdf/Madison5/lawsuit.pdf

Yesterday, a judgment of $10,000 against the City of Madison and five Madison police officers was agreed to by Wisconsin Carry, Inc. and our five co-plaintiffs. This judgment will be entered into the record of the Federal District Court, Western Wisconsin.

A copy of the judgment agreement can be viewed here:

http://www.wisconsincarry.org/pdf/Madison5/Doc_10_Acceptance_of_OOJ.pdf

Wisconsin Carry will continue to employ an "all of the above" approach to advancing and protecting the right to carry in the manner of one's choosing in Wisconsin. Included in those methods are lawsuits, grass roots legislative activism, public education/awareness, free concealed weapon license training, and every other effective measure.