MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) – Demonstrators returned to the streets Friday for a third straight day following Wednesday’s fatal officer-involved shooting that left Corey Ruiz dead, gathering at a growing memorial before marching through downtown and back.
Flowers, signs and chalk messages continued to surround the memorial at Williamson and Baldwin streets. Volunteers handed out free food as community members gathered to listen to speakers and create banners honoring Ruiz before taking to the streets once again.
Organizers also placed a raised fist sculpture in the middle of the intersection Friday evening. They said protesters from Minneapolis brought the sculpture to Madison as a symbol of solidarity.
Astrid Berger, who moved to Madison from Minneapolis about a year ago, said the sculpture carried special meaning.
“Oh, my gosh. I mean, it’s a pretty powerful symbol. It was built by protesters and it stood in the George Floyd Square for, I can’t remember how many months, maybe a year. So to have it here and to see Minneapolis showing that kind of solidarity is really powerful. I’m really proud of Minneapolis in a lot of ways. Not proud of the police department, but proud of the people.”…