AFSCME Local 171 members denounce shooting of Corey Ruiz by Madison police

The membership of AFSCME Local 171 voted on August 13, 2026 to adopt the following resolution:

Whereas, Corey Ruiz was shot by Madison Police Officer Kiel Baitinger-Peterson on the afternoon of July 22, 2026 at the intersection of Williamson Street and Baldwin Street, just a block away from the spot where Tony Robinson was killed by Madison Police Officer Matt Kenny in 2015; 

Whereas, in the weeks since, the community has responded with justified outrage and a coalition of organizers and community groups has and continues to work tirelessly to demand justice for Mr. Ruiz and advocate for broader policing reform

Whereas, the Executive Board of AFSCME 171 voted asynchronously via email to release a statement soon after the shooting, and at our Executive Board Meeting on August 6, decided that we would like to propose issuing a statement backed by the full membership of Local 171;

Whereas, the economic and social conditions that led Mr. Ruiz and countless others around the U.S. to face deadly encounters with the police are the same economic and social conditions that labor unions fight to ameliorate by coming together, demanding better conditions in our workplaces and communities, and sowing solidarity between workers of all stripes. It is the responsibility of unions like ours to extend that same solidarity to other working-class people whenever they fall victim to the consequences of such conditions;

Therefore, be it resolved, AFSCME Local 171 will release the following statement:

“AFSCME Local 171 denounces the brutal, racist execution of Corey Ruiz and stands in grief and solidarity with everyone affected by it. We urge the relevant authorities to arrest and charge the officer who shot Mr. Ruiz, provide the Independent Monitor with all evidence related to the incident, strengthen the Police Civilian Oversight Board, and improve oversight to establish true community control over the police. Finally, we denounce the systematic discrimination and police violence that unfairly targets African Americans in Madison, and the economic system that creates the conditions for violent police encounters to take place. We encourage our members to support local solidarity efforts. An injury to one is an injury to all.”