Key facts
- A police shooting in Madison, Wisconsin, has led to the cancellation or disruption of major summer events.
- Corey Ruiz, identified as Black or Latino, was killed by a Madison police officer.
- Protests following the shooting disrupted a concert and led to the postponement of a public market opening.
- The AtwoodFest neighborhood festival and the downtown farmers market were also affected.
- Calls for police reform and racial justice have intensified in the city.
A police shooting in Madison, Wisconsin, has led to the cancellation and disruption of several large summer events, highlighting persistent racial divisions in the city. Corey Ruiz, identified as Black or Latino, was killed by a Madison police officer on Wednesday after a brief scuffle. This marks the third fatal police shooting in the same neighborhood since 2012.
Protests erupted hours after the shooting, disrupting an outdoor concert by the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra. Threats of further demonstrations led to the postponement of a new public market's grand opening and the cancellation of the AtwoodFest neighborhood festival. Organizers cited the ongoing pain and anger within the community. The popular downtown farmers market also announced it would close early in solidarity with protesters.
Activists, including civil rights attorney Ben Crump, are calling for criminal charges against the officer involved. Madison Police Chief John Patterson has attempted to de-escalate tensions, even allowing protesters to question him and the mayor during a news conference.