[Jacob Blake]
Gov. Evers: ‘We stand with all those who have and continue to demand justice, equality and accountability for Black lives in our country — lives like those of George Floyd, of Breonna Taylor, Tony Robinson, Denise Hamilton, Earnest Lacy, and Sylville Smith.”
Photo: YouTube
Jacob Blake was shot by Wisconsin police in the back, repeatedly, as he got into the car–where his sons were seated.
Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers cited racism as the cause for the police shooting on a Black man in Kenosha County.
On Sunday, protests erupted in Wisconsin after Jacob Blake was shot multiple times in the back by police–as he was entering a car where three of his kids were present.
On Sunday night, after the 5:00 PM police shooting, Governor Evers released this statement:
“Jacob Blake was shot in the back multiple times, in broad daylight, in Kenosha. Kathy and I join his family, friends and neighbors in hoping earnestly that he will not succumb to his injuries. While we do not have all the details yet, what we know for certain is he is not the first Black man or person to have been shot or injured or mercilessly killed at the hands of individuals in law enforcement in our state or in our country.
‘We stand with all those who have and continue to demand justice, equality and accountability for Black lives in our country — lives like those of George Floyd, of Breonna Taylor, Tony Robinson, Denise Hamilton, Earnest Lacy, and Sylville Smith. And we stand against excessive use of force and immediate escalation when engaging with Black Wisconsinites.
“I have said all along that although we must offer our empathy, equally important is our action. In the coming days, we will demand just that of elected officials in our state who have failed to recognize the racism in our state and our country for far too long.”
Reports say police were dispatched because of a domestic situation call. Blake was said to be have been trying to break up a dispute between two women. It is unclear why police decided to target Blake.
In a viral social media video, Blake can be seen walking away from cops–who have their guns drawn. As he enters his car, a police officer, who is right behind him opens fires on Blake, as he holds Blake’s shirt. The officer fires at least seven shots at point-blank range. Blake’s three sons were inside the car.
The shooting led to spontaneous protests in Wisconsin and an explosion of rage. At least one police officer was attacked. Reports say more than a dozen officers were forced from the shooting site by protesters. Demonstrators who converged on police headquarters were teargassed at least twice. Several fires were ignited around the police headquarters and near a local courthouse.
Kenosha County Board Supervisor Zach Rodriguez was at the scene “I’m praying for that family, regardless of the situation,” Rodriguez said. “What happened here tonight highlights that we need body cameras for not just our sheriff’s deputies, but our city police department as well.”
“It goes back to the Emmett Tills. We’re tired of it. Rodney King. We’re tired of it,” said Clyde McLemore, of the Black Lives Matter. “And right now, this is the wrong generation that this is happening to. The frustration is boiling to the top and we’re sick and tired.”
Blake’s cousin, @PaulyG103, tweeted, “We will not excuse the actions of the Kenosha Police department, but his mother asks everyone to please remain peaceful.”
