BLM activists set up autonomous zone in Madison, Wisconsin—city provides bathroom facilities

Protesters in Wisconsin have established an autonomous zone in downtown Madison following the police shooting of Corey Ruiz. 

The area, called the “Corey Ruiz Autonomous Zone” or “CRAZ” was established following the July 22 police shooting of Ruiz, an armed felon who was killed after allegedly attacking a police officer with a knife. According to a report by the Gateway Pundit, protesters set up barricades made out of furniture, spike strips, and wooden pallets. They also set up tents and occupied part of the city in a manner similar to Seattle’s CHOP/CHAZ zone in 2020.

WMTV15 News reported that the city of Madison has been aiding the movement, placing portable restrooms in the area. District 6 Alder Davy Mayer said the city was working on providing basic services, including using city salt trucks as street blockades in place of trash cans. He also said a homeless population moved into the zone.

“There certainly have been poor interactions like that,” Mayer said. “There’s also a large number of our homeless neighbors have come in and have been taking up living in this area too. That’s something that causes disruption.”

Independent journalist Nick Sortor, who was reporting at the scene, said he was threatened by BLM rioters. In a post on X, Sortor claimed the activists threatened to kill him while preventing him from reaching his vehicle.

“Black Lives Matter rioters in the new ‘Autonomous Zone’ in Madison, Wisconsin tell me they will KlLL ME if I don’t immediately leave. Only problem is, they were BLOCKING me from getting into my vehicle. THIS IS NOT AMERICA,” Sortor wrote. “I can’t think of a better example of what it’s like being an independent reporter in a blue city nowadays. I literally have to beg for mercy while people threaten to kiII me.”

“And for the record: Madison, Wisconsin police have been INCREDIBLY helpful tonight. MUCH better than any other blue city police force I’ve ever dealt with. So this isn’t on them. They need additional resources. Which is why I’m calling for federal government to get involved,” he added.

Sortor also quoted the perpetrators as saying, “Hurry up and leave before your life ends out here. There’s a whole team of us.”

Late last month, hundreds of BLM protesters marched through Madison, Wisconsin, in an effort to stir up 2020-style police protests. The activists were heard chanting anti-cop messaging after video of the shooting involving Ruiz went viral.