UPDATE: Police Lay Down Ground Rules for Both Sides at Pro-Walker Rally

UPDATED AT 12:55 PM: Just as the Celebrate Walker rally is was about to begin, Wauwatosa police decided to close down one block of 70th Street right in front of Hart Park because of the number of protestors and because of some "elbowing" going on.

met with organizers and security personnel at 10 a.m. Saturday at and have arranged to meet with counter-rally organizers at noon to make sure everyone on both sides understands the rules.

The pro-Walker group, headed by Onward Wisconsin, has rented an area stretching from the west side of North 68th Street to the east side of North 72nd Street, but it has barricaded only the area between 68th and North 70th Street for its rally.

Police Sgt. Jim Mastrocola made it clear to the private security group that Celebrate Walker's rental permit does not cover the public sidewalks along those streets. Anyone, including anti-Walker protesters, may occupy those sidewalks.

However, no is allowed to impede the progress or access of others using those walkways, he said.

Mastrocola said that at least one police officer would be posted to each of the two entrances to the rally area, one on 68th Street and one on 70th.

The sergeant instructed security personnel that they had the right to remove anyone from the event, but they should avoid any physical contact at all costs short of self-defense.

"If you go in and lateral some dude, they're going to say, 'He was assaulted by this guy here, why isn't he getting arrested?' And I don't want that to happen," Mastrocola told security personnel.

"So go in, bring these three guys here, surround them and say, 'Sir, this is a rented area, your behavior is not going to be tolerated, we'd like you to leave.'

"And as much as you'd want to bear hug him, you can't do that."

Mastrocola said police would not step in to assist either side unless there was a clear violation occurring.

"We're not working for either side," he told the group. "We're here to enforce the law and local ordinances."

Mastrocola said the Canadian Pacific Railroad police would also be on hand to make sure that no one violated laws covering the rail right-of-way along the north border of the park.

Mastrocola said he would deliver the same messages to protest leaders, with whom he had arranged to meet at noon.

Celebrate Walker organizer Meg Duffey told her security team that they should not turn away anyone from the event who might be wearing a button or other symbol of opposition, but they should turn away anyone carrying a sign or wearing a rude message on their clothing.

They were also not to remove anyone from the event who was remained peaceful and respectful of the group's permit and free speech rights, she said.