The Grandmother of Tony Robinson, a 19-year-old man shot by police in Madison, Wisconsin submitted a question to the Mayor of Madison at a debate on Thursday night. Sharon Irwin wanted to know “what are you going to do to stop this extreme violence.” Robinson’s death touched off days of protests in Madison and dominated the debate between the two candidates for mayor.
Protesters in the audience kept demanding that the topic be addressed, and it was several times. However, the debate between Madison Mayor Paul Soglin and Alder Scott Resnick was interrupted several times by the protesters. Moderator Renee Lauber did her best to quiet the crowed and keep it civil.
The debate was sponsored by the Marquette Neighborhood Association, Tenney Lapham Neighborhood Association, Schenk Atwood Starkweather Yahara Neighborhood Association, Worthington Park Neighborhood Association, Capitol Neighborhoods, Homeless Services Consortium of Madison, WORT 89.9 FM and Isthmus.
Video of grandmother’s question and video of the full debate.
Video at top: Candidates are asked a question from slain teen’s grandmother
Video below: full video replay of the debate
Below that video: live blog of the event
Live Blog Madison Mayoral Forum