Protestors interrupt press conference following viral video of fatal police shooting in Madison

“We have the power. Not that badge. Not that weapon,” one of the demonstrators, who announced himself as Carlos Nixon, said as the group interrupted the event.

Protesters took over a press conference in Madison, Wisc. where police were discussing the fatal shooting of Corey Ruiz this week.

“We have the power. Not that badge. Not that weapon,” one of the protesters, who announced himself as Carlos Nixon, said as the group interrupted the event, holding signs and recording the demonstration on their phones.

Nixon told police that it was no longer their turn to talk, and that he had heard enough promises that justice will be delivered. Then, he took the microphone and stood at the podium.

“What you’re all doing right now in this city is continuing the disgusting nature of colonialism, the disgusting nature of imperialism,” he said. “When these police officers come down the street, and they decide that they want to take the life of another brown body, there is no oversight for that.”

View on Threads

Four Madison police officers were placed on administrative leave after disturbing cellphone video footage of a fatal shooting in Madison’s Marquette neighborhood on Wednesday (July 22) went viral. According to Madison Police Chief John Patterson, officers responded to reports that night that a man was checking vehicle doors and bicycles in the area, and that he rode away on a bike before a group of police officers confronted him, which led to a struggle between the man and the officers.

According to authorities, the man injured one of the police officers with a knife during the struggle, and another officer tried to use a Taser on the man. The police officer who was injured with a knife reportedly fired three shots. The man was taken to the hospital, where he died.

At the news conference Thursday, the man was identified as Ruiz, who was in his 30s. The video of the shooting sparked outrage in the community, with protestors marching to the Wisconsin State Capitol and holding vigils in Ruiz’s honor.

Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway responded to the tragic event in a statement on Wednesday.

“I am angered and saddened by what happened today. My heart breaks for those who have lost a loved one, those who witnessed the shooting, and everyone impacted. There is real pain in our city right now. It’s an absolute tragedy when a member of our community is killed by anyone, but especially by the police. I understand the anger, grief, and fear people are feeling — because I am feeling that too. As a city, as a community, as a society, we need to do better.”