Madison Radio: Talker Sues Police Over Arrest

A Madison, WI radio host Monday filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against three Capitol Police officers who handcuffed and ticketed him during last summer’s mass arrests of singing protesters, according to The State-Journal.

Domenic Salvia

Philip Dominic Salvia, co-host of The Devil’s Advocates, a liberal talk show on CCM+E's WXXM 92.1 FM The Mic, is seeking unspecified compensatory and punitive damages for violation of his First Amendment rights as a member of the press and his Fourth and 14th Amendment rights for being arrested without probable cause.

The ongoing noontime protests, known as the Solidarity Singalong, are a remnant of mass demonstrations that began in 2011 against Republican Gov. Scott Walker and his policies.

LISTEN TO AUDIO:  Click Here.

According to the complaint, Salvia was taking pictures of the Solidarity Singalong on July 24 when Officer Adam Fell approached him and told him he was participating in an unlawful event and needed to leave the Capitol or face arrest.

Salvia began to leave the area when Sgt. Chris Weiss told Fell to place him in custody. Salvia asked why he was being arrested and identified himself as a member of the media. Fell then restrained his wrists with plastic flex cuffs and took him to the basement where he was photographed, processed and issued a citation for violating Wisconsin administrative code.

“At no time on July 24, 2013, did the plaintiff participate in the sing-along,” the complaint states.

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