Republican lawmakers install Christmas tree in state Capitol hours after first was removed

By: Associated Press

Posted: Dec 15, 2020 3:04 PM CDT | Updated: Dec 15, 2020 7:15 PM CDT

Updated: 6:23 p.m. on Dec. 15, 2020

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Two Republican state lawmakers have put up an artificial Christmas tree in the Wisconsin Capitol's rotunda for a second time, hours after the first one was removed because they did not have a permit for the display.

Reps. Paul Tittl and Shae Sortwell broadcast their installing and decorating of the tree live on Facebook on Tuesday.

They are calling it a peaceful protest allowed under the First Amendment.

They defended putting up the tree in a building that's closed to the public and in defiance of Gov. Tony Evers' administration.

The building is closed and there is no state tree this year because of the coronavirus pandemic.

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Posted: 3:04 p.m. on Dec. 15, 2020

See Also With Capitol Tree absent this year, Assembly Republicans put up tree of their own

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A Christmas tree put up by two Republican lawmakers in the rotunda of Wisconsin's Capitol has been removed because they did not have a permit and they refused to move it to an area where it could be displayed.

The lawmakers put the tree up on Dec. 1 after Democratic Gov. Tony Evers said the typical towering holiday tree would not be displayed because the building is closed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The lawmakers' much smaller tree was removed Tuesday after they didn't meet a deadline to move it.