MacIver News Service | August 27, 2013
[Madison, Wisc…] Damon and C.J. Terrell were at the center of controversy at the Capitol again on Monday as they were arrested during the noon-time sing along. The MacIver Institute posted video yesterday of Damon being arrested.Since 2011, the Terrell brothers have been arrested at the Capitol on 20 separate charges that include resisting or obstructing an officer and disorderly conduct, but 16 of those charges were dismissed.
The Terrell brothers have been regulars at the Capitol protests since they began more than two years ago.
None of the Solidarity Singers appeared to apply for or receive a permit and the event was deemed to be unlawful by the Capitol Police. Each of the Terrell brothers was arrested in the rotunda.
Department of Administration (DOA) Spokeswoman Stephanie Marquis said that both Damon and C.J. Terrell resisted arrest.
“Capitol Police officers approached two men in the rotunda to warn them to leave the area as they were participating in an unlawful assembly,” Marquis said. “Both individuals refused to leave and actively resisted officers when they were placed under arrest.”
Damon had to be held down by multiple officers to be handcuffed and was carried out of the rotunda after refusing to walk out on his own.
“When officers began to arrest Damon Terrell, he began to walk away and actively resisted arrest,” Marquis said. “Throughout the arrest, officers continued to verbally tell him to stop resisting and to comply with police orders.”
His brother, C.J., similarly went limp when being arrested and was carried out.
Damon Terrell faces tentative charges of resisting or obstructing an officer and felony battery, as a Capitol Police officer was reportedly injured during the altercation.
C.J. Terrell faces tentative charges of resisting or obstructing an officer and participating in an event without a permit.
According to DOA, civil charges will be handled by the Department of Justice, while the Dane County DA will handle criminal charges.
All previous cases against the Terrell brothers related to the Capitol protests were prosecuted by the Dane County DA, including the 16 dismissed charges in those cases.
C.J. was at the Capitol again on Tuesday to participate in the noon-time protest. He spoke with media during the sing along, and said that his brother was still in jail waiting for a bail hearing.
Video of Damon Terrell being arrested on Monday: