This story has been updated. The latest version is available here.
MADISON, WIS. — Traffic has reopened at the intersection of Baldwin and Williamson streets after protesters retook it during protests after the City of Madison removed the protest encampment for Corey Ruiz.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Drone video: City crews begin dismantling Madison protest encampment for Corey RuizThe encampment initially began as a memorial at the scene where a Madison police officer shot and killed Corey Ruiz following a struggle in the street. It had since grown into an encampment zone, which led local businesses to the verge of closing, according to city leaders. Meanwhile, protesters said they would not leave until there is justice for Ruiz.
Following a tense protest Monday night, the work to open the intersection of Williamson and Baldwin streets began early Tuesday morning and was led by non-law enforcement staff from multiple city agencies.
“Our goal was to clear the barricades, preserve personal belongings and memorial materials, and open the street up to normal traffic,” Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway said in a video statement Tuesday.
The mayor said that as city staff worked to clear the area, rocks and other items were thrown at city employees, and two fires were set, which led to law enforcement being called and a “small number of individuals” being arrested.
After the morning clearance, protests sparked up later in the day, leading to additional arrests and the deployment of pepper spray. Around 8 p.m., demonstrations grew more heated and police eventually left the area.
By 10 p.m., roughly 75 to 100 demonstrators had full control of the intersection, blocking it off with garbage cans and vehicles. A memorial was erected again at the site, though it was not as built up as the one cleared earlier in the morning.
Throughout the day, protesters gathered calling for justice and accountability.
One protester described what they witnessed during the morning clearance.
"I was not here this morning, but I saw that there was a lot of violent actions from the police. They were destroying candles. They were destroying flowers. They were destroying a memorial that was made for a man who was killed," the protester said.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
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