*** maybe so many people showed up because there is a lot food insecurity in america *** Edit... Some of the folks lost food in the floods.
http://www.jsonline.com/watch/?watch=1&date=6/23/2008&id=42044MONDAY, June 23, 2008, 9:28 a.m.
By Linda Spice
UPDATE: Order restored on Vliet St.
Milwaukee police said they have restored order but will remain outside of the Marcia P. Coggs Human Services Center after a crowd awaiting free food vouchers became unruly this morning.
Department spokeswoman Anne E. Schwartz said Vliet St., between N. 12th and N. 13th streets, is blocked and barricades have been installed so people are able to line up around the block of the building at 1220 W. Vliet St.
"That line is pretty huge," Schwartz said. "We are going to be here for the duration. We have a pretty good number."
Police responded to the building about 7 a.m. after 2,500 people lined up on the sidewalk and eventually began to block traffic in the street. A number of people had rushed the door, and some people became caught in the crush; however, there were no serious injuries, according to Schwartz.
She did not believe that police had made any arrests, nor were people being asked to leave.
"We want to make sure people stay here in an orderly fashion so they can get what they came to get," she said. "We're still trying to figure out why so many people showed up."
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-wi-foodfight,0,3248048.storyThousands seek food vouchers in Milwaukee
Associated Press
12:15 PM CDT, June 23, 2008
MILWAUKEE - Fighting and shoving erupted when some 2,500 people lured by the prospect of free food vouchers showed up at a county office Monday.
The crowd started lining up about 5 a.m. Some told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel they heard from friends or at food pantries that they could get free vouchers to replace food lost in recent floods.
They expected immediate help, but the Marcia P. Coggs Human Services Center was just taking names for the vouchers.
A fight broke out about 7 a.m. with shoving and pushing, and people took a door off its hinges, police said. Dozens of squad cars responded and restored order.