Madison protest encampment cleared, demonstrations continue

MADISON, Wis. - Madison police arrested several people and cited others after protests that followed Tuesday's removal of an encampment at Baldwin and Williamson, the intersection where police shot and killed Corey Ruiz nearly two weeks ago.

Encampment removed

The backstory:

City officials made public pleas for protesters to clear the intersection before action was taken Tuesday. Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway called the situation "not sustainable or safe" last week.

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Crews gave people at the encampment a verbal warning to remove their things and leave at around 5 a.m. 

The Madison Police Department special events team, in riot gear, and firefighters responded to a fire that was seen in the middle of the intersection at around 5:15 a.m. City officials told WMTV-TV that protesters threw memorial candles in the air, sparking three fires.

PHOTO GALLERY: Protest encampment Aug. 4, 2026

The fire was put out, several people were arrested, and the intersection was cleared for the first time in nearly two weeks at around 9 a.m. Crews removed all signs and barricades, and street sweepers picked up leftover debris.

WMTV-TV reported that the items removed from the street were taken to Demetral Park, near Madison East High School, for people to pick things up.

Demonstrations, arrests

Local perspective:

Officers left the scene but later returned. But throughout the afternoon, demonstrations continued to disrupt traffic. More protesters were arrested as tension between the crowd and law enforcement built.

At least seven people were arrested and 10 were cited and released, according to a public information officer at the scene. Some people who were cited later returned to rejoin the demonstration. 

"I'm going to try my best to keep this peaceful, because anything on the other side of peaceful I’m going to lose, and my people are going to lose," protester Dwayne Washington told FOX6. "We need to stay peaceful, and the police need to understand that we are here and they need to respect us."

Mayor Rhodes-Conway video statement 

What they're saying:

Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway released a video statement on Tuesday morning, saying in part:

"This morning, the City of Madison opened the intersection of Williamson and Baldwin. The work was led by non-law enforcement staff from multiple City agencies.

"Our goal was to clear the barricades, preserve personal belongings and memorial materials, and open the street up to normal traffic. The CARES Team and members of the Violence Prevention Unit were there from the beginning to assist.  Unfortunately, as City staff cleared the area, rocks and other items were thrown at City employees and two fires were set; as a result, law enforcement was called in to stabilize the scene, and a small number of individuals were arrested. Again, multiple efforts and calls to end the occupation peacefully were made but ultimately ignored"

Shooting investigation

The backstory:

Madison Police Chief John Patterson said officers responded to calls about a man stealing bicycles and checking car doors and confronted him on July 22, but he rode away on a bicycle.

Police later encountered the man again, at Baldwin and Williamson, and the man "fell or was pulled off the bicycle." There was a struggle in the middle of the intersection, and police said the man pulled out a knife and injured an officer.

Officers used a taser to try to take the man into custody before the injured officer shot the man, since identified as Corey Ruiz. Ruiz was pronounced dead at a hospital.

Madison police said the four officers involved were placed on administrative leave as the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation investigates the shooting as a homicide. 

The Madison Police Department does not have body-worn cameras for officers. After prior efforts to fund bodycams were shut down, Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway has said she will include funding for them in her next budget.

WATCH: Madison encampment, protests

Timeline:

FOX6 News took major developments from the area of Baldwin and Williamson live throughout the day Tuesday. Watch the clips from continuing coverage below.

Editor's note: This story was updated to add new information.

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