Heil Madison!

Help Keep America Clean


This graphic appears on the website of the National Socialist Movement.

Offensive? I think so. I find it extremely offensive. Wouldn't it be perfect for the Iranian exhibit of anti-Jewish art?

People of this mindset will be gathering at Wisconsin's Capitol on Saturday.

Madison will be the reluctant host of an event by the National Socialist Movement. Actually, I think the NSM has chosen the perfect location for its Nazi rally.

In addition to Madison being home to a large concentration of Socialists, it prides itself on being tolerant and open to even the most hateful theories and philosophies.

From Wisconsin Radio Network:

Madison cops plan for the National Socialist Movement rally in Wisconsin's Capital City. The largest Nazi group in the United States is scheduled to rally on the Capitol steps -- and law enforcement is not taking this lightly. Capitol Police Chief David Heinle won't say whether they'll use tear gas or stun guns, but did say they'll use "an appropriate level of response to deal with the issues to ensure a safe event." "Our goal is to protect people's safety as well as property. We're working with our partners in law enforcement as well as the city of Madison to help ensure that things go as smoothly as possible. We're taking a variety of precautions to help ensure people will be safe."

How could the police chief possibly say that they WILL use tear gas or stun guns? How could he predict the necessity of such harsh measures?

If the rally is peaceful and no laws are broken, I would hope that the police wouldn't attack the attendees.

Anyway, I thought Madison welcomes different perspectives and freedom of thought, no matter how repulsive some may find them to be.

I guess Madison isn't happy about the Nazi rally because the focus of the demonstrators' vitriol isn't specifically directed at the Bush administration.

The number of people turning out for the event is uncertain, but Heinle says they are planning for hundreds. "We'll have a presence of more than 300 uniform officers from the Capitol Police, the Madison Police Department, Dane County Sheriff, University of Wisconsin Madison Police Department and the Wisconsin State Patrol."

Heinle says they've studied the tactical plans from other venues where the National Socialist Movement has held rallies. He says their plan includes establishing separate areas on the Capitol Square for speakers, supporters and members of the media; anyone and everyone could be subject to a search; plastic fencing will separate the event from the general public; traffic around the event will be re-routed; and they'll close the parking stalls in the area. He wouldn't say exactly whether the cops would be donned in riot gear. "They will be dressed in the appropriate attire to deal with civil unrest if need be."

The police are preparing for hundreds of people.

When the illegal immigrant marches were held this past spring, with thousands and thousands of people participating, did the Madison Police Department employ such measures?

Were searches conducted? Was a huge police force present at the immigration demonstrations?

Without a doubt, the crowds at those rallies dwarf the numbers that are likely to be gathering for the Nazi rally, yet the security was much more lax.

I wonder if the cops will actually outnumber the rally participants on Saturday.

I absolutely despise what the National Socialist Movement stands for, but its members do have the right to their opinions. It's not illegal to hate.

Morally objectionable, yes.

Illegal, no.

As long as they are law-abiding and the rally remains non-violent, police in riot gear certainly shouldn't be necessary.

There will be counter-protesters. That's where problems may arise. A clash between the two groups could get out of control.

Wouldn't that be out of character for the very tolerant and liberal people of Madison?

If they can entertain the notion that 9/11 was an inside job by the U.S. government, I would think they could tolerate some Nazis getting together on a late summer afternoon.

WKOW reports:

Capitol Police don't know how many counter-protestors will show up at Saturday rally by a Nazi sympathizer group, but they're not taking chances. When announcing a security plan for the visit of the National Socialist Movement, Chief David Heinle said he can't remember when this level of security was used before on the Square.

...He said he's worried about violence and property damage similar to last fall in Toledo, Ohio when the NSM came to town. Based on that, he said there needs to be a strong police presence.

That makes sense. Madison police would be negligent to not be prepared if they believe that the rally is intended to incite violence.

In Toledo, the problems resulted when the counter-protesters, "a disorganized group of the community's youth," turned violent. It wasn't the NSM members that initiated the trouble.

By keeping the groups separated, hopefully Toledo's history will not be Madison's fate.

The Nazi rally is scheduled for 2:00pm. "No Nazis" will gather at 1:00pm. Those scattered times should help to avoid friction.

Mayor Dave Cieslewicz is asking everyone to stay away. The counter-protest begins an hour before the Nazi rally.

What if they had a protest and nobody came?

That's what the mayor is asking for.

I do think that the main purpose of the rallies of the National Social Movement is to get people riled up, to get under their skin.

They want to get attention. They want counter-protesters. They want confrontation.

I wouldn't give them what they want.