Chali Pittman
News-Justice-for-Corey-Durell-Ruiz-Cafe-Coda-07242026
Signs about the shooting are everywhere along Willy Street, including this one placed outside Cafe Coda.
The fatal police shooting of Corey Ruiz on July 22 happened in the middle of Madison’s packed summer schedule of festivals, fairs and concerts, but organizers and performers, mourning the loss of Ruiz’ life, are canceling their events.
Organizers called off AtwoodFest one day before the festival was set to take over three blocks of Atwood Avenue on Saturday and Sunday, July 25-26. The event would have taken place less than a mile from where Madison police shot and killed Ruiz on Wednesday while trying to arrest him.
“The heart of our neighborhood needs healing,” read a July 24 statement canceling AtwoodFest, from the SASY Neighborhood Association Board. “We encourage you to spend your time and energy this weekend on supporting events and spaces demanding change, mutual aid, and loving and supporting your friends and neighbors.”
Big Honey also canceled its Little Improv Festival, scheduled to run through July 27 at Broom Street Theatre, stating it was off “in respect of the closing of Williamson Street for protest activity, and in solidarity with the community.”
The Bodega market at Breese Stevens Field on Friday was also postponed “to make space for our community to grieve, heal, and be together.” A new date will be announced soon.
The Dane County Farmers’ Market will move ahead on Saturday starting at 6:15 a.m., according to a Friday Facebook post, though it is being billed as “not a celebration of local food, but a space where everyone can find food grown in their community to sustain themselves and be together.” Later Friday it announced it would close at 10 a.m. though.
Organizers said that while the market is “mourning with our community,” it also serves as a “crucial distribution point” for both farmers whose crops would otherwise go to waste, and as a place where hundreds of SNAP customers can access fresh food.
Disability Pride Festival, too, is still set for Saturday from 12-5 p.m. at Warner Park, but promised “informational materials” on the intersection of disability, policing and protest. “Disability Pride Madison is a liberation-based organization,” the organization said in a Facebook post, adding “we remain in solidarity with those protesting and grieving the murder of Corey Ruiz, and we hope to offer a space for disabled people to connect in grief and protest.”
Musician Tony Castañeda, a candidate for state Assembly who lives close to where Ruiz was killed, canceled his regular Thursday appearance at the Cardinal Bar in order to attend Ruiz’s vigil. “It would be hard for us to play with this tragedy for our city on our minds and in our hearts,” he said. “We need justice and then we can find peace!”
The intersection of Williamson and Baldwin streets, where Ruiz was killed, remains closed to traffic, barricaded with dump trucks and neighborhood trash cans. The area has become a hub of activity: a large altar of flowers, candles and remembrances has continued to grow since Thursday's vigil, where Ruiz's family addressed the crowd through a small PA system.
On Wednesday, hours after Ruiz was killed, protestors disrupted Concerts on the Square. Organizers canceled the concert before it began. "We're going to cancel the concert tonight, but we'll be back,” Joe Loehnis, CEO of the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra, told the crowd. “And may we all try to make our community better." The next concert is scheduled for July 29.
On Thursday, the Madison Public Market was set to have its “grand opening,” but that was also postponed.
"Now is not the right time for a public celebration,” read a post from the market. “We extend our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Corey Durell Ruiz, to everyone impacted by this tragedy, and hope for healing, peace, and comfort for our entire community in the days ahead." The market will stay closed through the weekend; it is already closed Mondays and Tuesdays and is expected to reopen July 29.
Among the events honoring Ruiz planned to release balloons to remember him at 4 p.m. on Friday, along with another march organized by Freedom Inc. at 6 p.m. A “glow-in-the-dark” march is slated for Saturday at 8 p.m. starting at Willy Street.
[Editor's note: This article was updated to note that the Dane County Farmers' Market announced late Friday that it would shorten its hours on Saturday, and close at 10 a.m. The headline was also changed to reflect the news.]
