After four days of restricted access to the Capitol and a three day hearing challenging it, Dane County Circuit Court Judge John Albert issued a permanent injunction forcing the Department of Administration to open doors to the public and the remaining overnight protesters to evacuate.
According to the order, the DOA must allow the public inside the Capitol rotunda by no later than 8 a.m. Monday during business hours and when public hearings or legislative meetings are in session.
The majority of the remaining protesters agreed the ruling was a victory, but also had to decide whether or not to try to stay in the building.
One of their main concerns was how the public would perceive the movement if they were to defy the order and get arrested, and how that would affect the fight against the bill.
When it was suggested the protesters would just look like ""kids in a drum circle,"" Rudy Fox, a demonstrator who had been present since the Capitol rallies began, insisted they were standing up for something legitimate.
""These are not kids in a drum circle,"" Fox said. ""These are kids we raised to stand up for their rights.""
Protesters worried their leaving the building would break their solidarity with the 14 Democratic Senators still in Illinois. However, state Rep. Kelda Helen Roys, D-Madison, one of several state Assembly Democrats turning out in support for the demonstrators, stressed how important maintaining public support is for the senators.
Roys said it was essential to remain lawful and not stoop to Gov. Scott Walker's level.
""The main thing that we can do to help the Senate is to keep that spirit, and that means following court orders,"" Roys said.
Although a few decided to risk the consequences and stay despite the court order, most ended up heading out of the Capitol looking forward to showers and pizza. Many said they looked forward to Monday when the mass protests could resume in the Capitol.
There will be a few changes in how the public can protest. In addition to only being able to demonstrate in the
Capitol during business hours, people will not be allowed to bring in pillows, sleeping bags or other items that would imply one's intentions to stay the night. Demonstrators will need to obtain permits for rallies which will be limited to designated areas in the Capitol.
Albert said his decision was not based on his own views but rather on common sense.
""You simply cannot camp out or sleep at the Capitol when it's closed,"" Albert said. ""I'm ordering that the DOA act within it's authority to remove those in the Capitol who are there illegally.""
However, the rotunda will stay open to the public to preserve first amendment rights.
""Those people were exercising a very basic constitutional right and one that is unique in the world,"" Albert said.
The capitol building will function as it had before the protests started.
""There is a need for the DOA … to allow free expression, but do so in a way that won't let the dangerous situation that had occurred reoccur,"" Albert said.
