Arrests continue for third day in Capitol

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — More than a dozen protesters singing inside the Wisconsin Capitol rotunda have been arrested by police, the third straight day of a crackdown against opponents of Gov. Scott Walker’s administration.

They are being arrested for not having a permit to gather in the Capitol, something they have been doing every week day since March 2011.

Participants in the noontime sing along say they are exercising their free speech rights and don’t need a permit to gather in the Capitol.

A federal judge ruled earlier this month that the state can require groups larger than 20 to obtain a permit. That led to the new round of arrests this week that began on Wednesday.

Walker administration spokeswoman Stephanie Marquis says they would be given a permit if they applied.