GOOD!
Here's the youth/parental guardian admission policy, from 620 WTMJ:
The Wisconsin State Fair imposed a curfew Friday for all patrons under age 18 after a series of mob attacks marred the Fair's opening night Thursday.
According to State Fair Park CEO Rick Frenette, the policy will go into effect at 5:00 p.m. Friday evening and reads as follows:"1. All youth under the age of eighteen (18) years of age are required to be accompanied by a legal guardian (age 21+) to be admitted to the Wisconsin State Fair after 5:00 p.m.
2. Anyone 18 years or over may be asked to show a valid driver's license or state identification card for proof of age in order to be admitted to the Wisconsin State Fair without a parent or guardian after 5:00 p.m.
3. Any young adult under 18 without a valid driver's license or state identification card and not accompanied by a parent or guardian will not be admitted after 5:00 p.m.
4. Execpetions and challenges to this policy will be satisfied at the discretion of Fair Management."
I'm sure that the plans of many kids under 18 have been made more complicated because of this policy.
They need a parent or guardian to accompany them if they want to enter the Fair after 5:00 PM.
When I was under 18, I had great times going to the Fair with friends at night. It has to be frustrating for good kids.
However, any parents or kids troubled by the new policy should direct their anger or disappointment at the thugs, the mobs of violent thugs, that committed crimes last night inside and outside of the fairgrounds.
State Fair management should be commended for taking steps to keep the State Fair safe.
Frenette said in a news conference Friday that seven State Fair Police officers were injured in the attacks and that two have been treated and released from the hospital. 24 teenagers were arrested after attacking fairgoers Thursday night.
"State Fair management has been assured and is working with the State Patrol and City of West Allis and City of Milwaukee to have an increased police presence surrounding the Fair Park for the safety of all fairgoers and surrounding community," Fredette added. "We will not tolerate this behavior within the Fair Park again."
Witnesses described a chaotic scene Thursday night, and many believe African-American teenagers were targeting white fairgoers.
This is absolutely unacceptable.
Without question, State Fair management did the right thing by instituting the new policy.
It's sad that thugs attacked fairgoers and committed the crimes they did.
It's horrible that young black people targeted white people.
If the accounts of victims and witnesses are correct, these were hate crimes.
I know the Fair is technically considered to be in West Allis, but Mayor Tom Barrett was at the opening ceremony yesterday. And portions of the fairgrounds are in the city of Milwaukee? Has Barrett commented on the attacks?
At least some members of the violent mob had to be city of Milwaukee residents.
I wonder how Barrett feels about residents of his city being responsible for causing these crimes and forcing the Fair into enacting these unprecedented measures.
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The State Fair's website has been updated with the new admission policy.
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UPDATE, from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:
On Friday afternoon, Mayor Tom Barrett announced an increase in police presence at community events planned for the week. He said there would be no tolerance for violence at festivals and that perpetrators will be prosecuted -- regardless of race.
"Two years ago I was a victim of a random attack at State Fair… last night's events took place at State Fair that I don't believe are random," he said at a City Hall news conference.
Barrett didn't indicate if he believed the events were racially charged.
Barrett said this weekend is of special importance because of the Historic Third Association Jazz festival, the African World Festival and the Milwaukee Comedy Festival in addition to the fair. He said police presence will be increased at all events.
Can you imagine the response if mobs of white young people targeted and attacked innocent black people leaving African World Festival?
Try.
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Here's video of Barrett's news conference:
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