The newspaper the Guardian has documented at least 50 incidents since May 25 where police appear to have targeted journalists covering protests stemming from the death of George Floyd. One reporter, Guardian correspondent, Linda Tirado, was left permanently blind in one eye after getting hit by a rubber bullet. Police deliberately fired rubber bullets at […]
Marquette County Sheriff faces first amendment lawsuit
After 16-year-old Amyiah Cohoon posted on Instagram about her struggle with COVID-19, she was contacted by the Marquette County Sheriff’s office. A Marquette County Patrol Officer, under orders from the Sheriff, showed up at her front door and ordered her to delete the post or she would be thrown in jail. Now, the Wisconsin Institute […]
A Busker on Trial
Madison musician Josh Cohen is fighting a unique battle for the right to amplification. A City of Madison ordinance limits the use of amplification for musicians — but Cohen says that infringes on his right to express himself. Cohen sat down with Friday Buzz host Jonathan Zarov on January 31 to talk about his ongoing […]
Bassist Josh Cohen plays Bach live on WORT
On Tuesday, September 24th, Madison bassist Joshua Cohen joined WORT’s Peter Haney in Combo B to play his transcriptions of Bach live on “Back Porch Serenade.” If you frequent farmer’s markets in Madison, you have probably seen Cohen playing an eclectic array of music on a six-string electric bass. His two-handed “tapping” technique allows him […]
GOP Lawmaker Sues State Bar on Free Speech Claim
Two Wisconsin lawyers are suing the state bar, alleging that the dues they have to pay the organization violate their first amendment rights. The lawyers suing the State Bar of Wisconsin, Michael Dean of Waukesha and former State Representative Adam Jarchow of Clear Lake, are both members. The two lawyers say the group is advocating […]
Separation of Church & State in 2017
Madison-based Freedom from Religion Foundation calls itself North America’s largest organization of agnostics, atheists and freethinkers. Like many progressive organizations, FFRF has seen its membership spike after the election of Donald Trump, growing by 6,000 members after the 2016 elections. In an era of growing Christian influence in government, Freedom From Religion has had its […]
