My colleague Michael Kissick is an untenured professor at UW-Madison with an unyielding commitment to the Wisconsin Idea, free speech and vigorous sifting and winnowing. He is a peaceful man who, like many of us, enjoys a good Solidarity Singalong.
But when he went to the Capitol on September 13, 2012, he was told that he would receive a ticket for participating in that now famous activity. Group gatherings of more than 4 people that are intended to "promote a cause", are now forbidden in the "Peoples' house."
Who decides what's promoting a cause? Oh, well of course the Capitol Police do.
You can't expect any rational, intelligent person to accept this nonsense. And Michael is not. He's now represented by the ACLU and has filed a federal lawsuit in U.S. District Court this afternoon-- on behalf of all of us peaceful, free thinking citizens and our right to assemble.
Lord knows what's headed Michael's way over the coming days and weeks as this thing unfolds. I fully expect requests for his email and critiques of his personal beliefs and attacks on the rights of professor to think and do for themselves.
What happens to Michael happens to us all. Stand with Michael.
