A group of protesters assembled outside M&I Bank in Clintonville on Wednesday, Feb. 23, voicing their concerns over bank bailouts and the current budget repair bill.
The protesters, who claimed to be Wisconsinites, alleged that Governor Scott Walker was “bought and paid for by M&I Bank with taxpayer money.”
A statement released by M&I’s public relations department strongly denied those claims.
“Marshall & Ilsley Corporation and M&I Bank have not made contributions to any political campaign in Wisconsin. By law, corporations and businesses are not permitted to make direct contributions to political campaigns,” stated Public Relations Manager Sara M. Schmitz. “Individual employees may choose, at their own discretion and based on their political beliefs, to make contributions to political campaigns. Donors are typically required to identify their employer. Each campaign – Scott Walker and Tom Barrett – received voluntary contributions from individual M&I employees.”
Clintonville Mayor Judith I. Magee and Police Captain Jim Beggs paid a visit to the scene of the protest to make sure everything was in order. “We support everyone’s right to peacefully protest,” Beggs stated.