An investigation into the protests that erupted in Madison, Wisconsin, following the fatal police shooting of Corey Ruiz has revealed that a network of communist and socialist organizations played a significant role in organizing and sustaining the demonstrations. The unrest, which lasted nearly two weeks and included a large encampment, saw escalating clashes with law enforcement, street fires, and blocked intersections.
Key Organizations Behind the Protests
Among the most prominent groups identified as backing the protests are the Madison chapter of the Party for Socialism and Liberation, an openly communist organization; Freedom Inc., a local nonprofit focused on social justice; and the Freedom Road Socialist Organization, a Marxist-Leninist political group. These organizations publicly supported the demonstrations, actively organized rallies, and helped maintain a protest encampment that demanded the arrest of the officer involved in Ruiz’s death, frequently labeling him a “killer cop.” Freedom Inc. also stated it assisted in bailing out numerous protesters following arrests.
The mobilization effort appears to be part of a larger trend, according to national security experts, where communist and socialist organizations leverage local law enforcement confrontations to build protest movements and advance their broader political agendas. Before its dismantling by city crews, the encampment had grown to encompass dozens of tents, portable toilets, food distribution points, and memorial displays. Organizers even brought a raised-fist sculpture, similar to one at Minneapolis’ George Floyd Square, to the site.
The Incident Leading to the Protests
The initial demonstrations began after Corey Ruiz, a homeless man, was fatally shot on July 22. Police reported that officers responded to a theft call, but Ruiz fled on a bicycle. Authorities stated that after officers apprehended him, Ruiz produced a knife, injured one officer during a struggle, and was subsequently shot and killed by another officer. Protesters have alleged excessive force by law enforcement and drew parallels to the 2020 death of George Floyd, who died while being restrained by Minneapolis police.
Escalation and Clashes
The unrest in Madison reached a peak late Tuesday and into Wednesday morning. The Madison Police Department reported that protesters threw projectiles at city workers, ignited five street fires, and engaged in clashes with officers. These events led to at least 22 arrests. During one arrest of a juvenile on unrelated charges, officers recovered a handgun.
Party for Socialism and Liberation’s Role
The Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL) was identified as a key organizer. Investigations have previously linked the PSL to nationwide protest movements within a broader activist network reportedly funded by Marxist tech entrepreneur Neville Roy Singham. A previous investigation documented substantial financial flows from Singham into a global network of nonprofits and activist organizations. Since Ruiz’s shooting, the Madison PSL chapter has utilized social media to mobilize supporters, employing strong rhetoric and consistently referring to the officer as a “killer cop.” The group organized demonstrations, encouraged followers to “take the streets,” and pressured elected officials through coordinated calls and emails demanding the officer’s arrest.
Following the dismantling of the encampment, the PSL shared a video on Instagram showing officers clearing memorial items from the shooting site. The post urged supporters to attend a subsequent demonstration and accused city officials of protecting the officer, stating, “Killer cop… is still walking free. Still on the streets. Still getting paid.” The group identified the officer by name and concluded, “You can destroy a memorial, but you cannot destroy a movement.” Hours after this post, protesters returned to the streets, leading to further arrests, fires, and blocked intersections.
While the PSL has publicly named the officer and called for his arrest, Madison police have not released the names of the four officers involved in the incident. All four remain on administrative leave pending an investigation by the Wisconsin Department of Justice.
Freedom Inc.’s Activism and Finances
Freedom Inc., a Madison-based nonprofit advocating for police abolition and significant criminal justice reform, emerged as another prominent organizer. The organization claimed on Instagram to have “bailed out 50 people” from the Dane County Public Safety Building following recent arrests and to have “shut down Doty Street directly in front of the jail.” While the claim of bailing out 50 protesters could not be independently verified, Freedom Inc. reported substantial revenue, with approximately $4.9 million in 2024 and $4.2 million in 2023, including significant government grants.
The overlap between Freedom Inc. and the PSL was evident in joint social media posts calling for protests. One such post declared, “All out for Freedom, Inc.! Don’t arrest me, arrest the cops!” and urged attendees to “Jail killer cops! Justice for Corey Ruiz! Dare to struggle, Dare to win!” Freedom Inc. also claimed responsibility for a “mass mobilization” where protesters scaled Madison City Hall and hung a banner reading “Arrest the Killer Cop,” while also throwing balloons filled with red liquid at the building.
Following the encampment’s removal, Freedom Inc. accused Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway of “sending armed militia to raid the memorial site.” This rhetoric aligns with the group’s broader platform, which includes calls to “Abolish Police,” defund law enforcement and ICE, and close detention facilities. Freedom Inc. states that police and ICE contribute to family separation, racial profiling, criminalization of poverty, and violence against marginalized communities, advocating for “safety without surveillance” and “care without criminalization.”
Wider Network and Political Figures
The organizing efforts also involved Fight Back! News, which co-published posts highlighting the encampment’s organization and noting that individuals and groups traveled to Madison to assist. Fight Back! News acknowledges that some of its staff are members of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization. Freedom Inc.’s organizing extended nationally, with joint calls for “Justice for Corey Ruiz” and “Community Control of the Police Now!” issued with groups like the National Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression.
State Rep. Francesca Hong, who is running for governor and has previously expressed support for abolishing the police, was present at the memorial site shortly after Ruiz’s death, though she is not apparently affiliated with the organizing groups.
City Response and Resident Concerns
A Madison resident expressed frustration, stating that city officials allowed the encampment to become established before dismantling it, calling the situation an “embarrassment.” Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway defended the city’s actions, explaining that attempts were made to offer shelter and accommodations before the encampment was cleared, citing public safety concerns and negative impacts on local businesses and the surrounding area.
