Monday, May 7, 2012 - The Daily Cardinal

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Monday, May 7, 2012

Ponchos and sombreros:

Arrests up, crowd down at Mifflin

Partygoers don ‘insensitive’ attire despite student efforts By Alison Bauter The Daily Cardinal

The outreach of Badgers Against Racism on campus Friday raised the profile of the group’s issue behind the Mifflin Street Block Party’s unofficial “Cinco de Mifflin” theme, but it did not stop a number of students from wearing costumes that played on Mexican stereotypes.

“The main thing we’re about is respect—just respecting each other and our different backgrounds.” CJ Rios Badgers Against Racism

Mark Kauzlarich/the daily cardinal

About 5,000 people attended this year’s Mifflin Street Block Party, which saw an increased police presence. By Sam Garigliano The Daily Cardinal

Although approximately 20,000 fewer people attended the Mifflin Street Block Party this year than last, arrests were over ten times as common, according to the Madison Police Department. About 5,000 people attended this year’s block party with 393 arrests and citations, according to MPD spokesperson Joel DeSpain. In 2011, 20,000 to 25,000 people attended the block party and only 160 were arrested. The majority of the citations were for open intoxicants, underage drinking, glass containers in the street, trespassing and public urination, according to DeSpain. Officials said 100 on-foot officers, 30 sheriff deputies, nine mounted patrol and six bike officers were at the event. According to MPD the increased

Arrests increase Despite nearly 20,000 less attendees than 2011, arrests and citations were up at this year’s party.

police presence was much needed considering last year’s violence.

“Any sign of anything possibly going wrong is an automatic ticket.” Anonymous sophomore UW-Madison

In addition to more police at the event, city Alcohol License Coordinator Mark Woulf said city officials expected there to be more arrests because of the police department’s “zero tolerance approach” this year. Police and city officials made many

changes to this year’s block party, like banning open intoxicants on the street. Despite many public information sessions explaining the new rules, the majority of citations were for carrying alcohol on the street, according to Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4. A UW-Madison sophomore, who wished to remain anonymous, was cited for carrying beer on Mifflin Street and said he was surprised by the significant police presence. “I thought it would be ... a little more mellow,” he said while at the event. “Any sign of anything possibly going wrong is an automatic ticket.” This year, Mifflin residents had the opportunity to sign the House Party Protection Plan, which let residents

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By Tyler Nickerson

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Source: Madison Police Department

Around 30 participants held “Ask me about Cinco de Mifflin” signs, played music and gave out T-shirts and fliers Friday seeking to spread the newly formed student group’s message of cross-cultural sensitivity and understanding. But some Mifflin attendees prominently displayed the kind of costumes the group spoke out against at Saturday’s block party, dressing in sombreros and ponchos or wearing “Cinco de Mifflin”-themed shirts. For BAR member CJ Rios, these outfits can be “hurtful,” no matter how innocent their intent. “I know other people don’t mean to hurt anyone when they’re doing it, so it’s just frustrating,” Rios said. The sombreros and ponchos bordered

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With only days until Tuesday’s recall primary election, four Democrats vying to oust Gov. Scott Walker from office debated Friday in front of a statewide audience. Friday’s debate was a continuation of fairly clean campaigning thus far in the race, as candidates focused on the failures of Walker and not the shortcomings of their primary opponents. “This is what democracy looks like,” Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett said. “Here, having four candidates who have

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“…the great state University of Wisconsin should ever encourage that continual and fearless sifting and winnowing by which alone the truth can be found.”