Jacob Blake’s Shooting Ignites Fresh Anti-Racism Protests In Kenosha And Other U.S. Cities

TOPLINE

 Fresh protests and clashes with police firing tear gas and pepper balls broke out overnight on Tuesday in Kenosha, Wisconsin, following the police shooting of Black man Jacob Blake on Sunday, with other U.S. cities, including Portland and Madison seeing renewed protests against police brutality and racism that have been ongoing for three months.

KEY FACTS

After a first night of protests in front of the local police department, demonstrators stayed out past curfew demonstrating in front of the county courthouse following the shooting of Blake, 29, who is now in a stable condition in hospital.

Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers deployed the National Guard to the city on Monday after condemning the “excessive use of force and immediate escalation when engaging with Black Wisconsinites.”

The demonstrations continued into Tuesday morning, and while mostly peaceful, some business premises and cars were damaged and set on fire overnight by a small group of demonstrators, according to local eyewitness accounts.

Law enforcement officers in riot gear used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse protesters, according to one demonstrator who spoke to Reuters, while local police set another curfew until 7a.m..

The protests in Kenosha sparked a new wave of demonstration in several U.S. cities following months of anti-racism marches amid calls for police reform.

Portland, Oregon, where anti-racism marches have been ongoing since the death of George Floyd three months ago, police declared a riot overnight after the Portland Police Association building was set on fire, while hundreds of protesters marched downtown in Madison, Wisconsin, across New York City and in Minneapolis.

 

 

Chief critic

Civil rights activist and lawyer Ben Crump, representing Blake’s family, condemned the incident in a statement, saying of the officers’ actions: “Their irresponsible, reckless and inhumane actions nearly cost the life of a man who was simply trying to do the right thing by intervening in a domestic incident. It is a miracle he is still alive.”

Evers has been an outspoken critic of police brutality and shootings and on Monday tweeted: “We must rise to this movement and this moment and meet it with our empathy, our humanity, and a fierce commitment to disrupt the cycle of systemic racism and bias that devastates Black families and communities.”

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden on Monday called for an “immediate, full and transparent investigation” into Blake’s shooting.

Key background

Blake was shot by a police officer on Sunday and had been left fighting for his life in an incident that was filmed and later shared on social media. In the clip, Blake, who appears unarmed, is seen walking towards the drivers side of an SUV after reportedly breaking up a fight, while three officers have their guns pointed towards his back. Blake is then seen entering the car before one officer grabs the back of his shirt and begins shooting while Blake’s sons were inside the car, according to Crump. Blake’s shooting came nearly three months after the death of George Floyd in police custody, which sparked global conversation about anti-racism and calls for an end to police brutality. The officers involved in Blake’s shooting have been placed on administrative leave, with protesters demanding they be arrested. Meanwhile, the Wisconsin Department of Justice is investigating the shooting.

What to watch for

Governor Evers on Tuesday pushed local government to take up plans to reform policing that were first proposed months ago, and signed an executive order calling for a Special Session on policing accountability and transparency for the end of the month. The legislation is seeking to block “dangerous police practices”, invest in community violence interruption programs, and address excessive force in policing, among other proposals. Evers tweeted on Monday: “As our state reels from another attack against a Black man, as communities grieve and exercise their first amendment rights to demand justice, and as Jacob Blake fights for his life— we are reminded that racism is a public health crisis. There is no time to waste.”

Tangent

Since Floyd’s killing on Memorial Day, several local police departments have moved to introduce reforms, including banning chokeholds, requiring all officers to wear body cams, and bias training. Democratic lawmakers have also sought to introduce the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act in a bid to tackle racism, excessive force and misconduct in policing.

Further reading

Protests Erupt After Police Shoot A Black Man In The Back In Kenosha, Wisconsin (Forbes)

Joe Biden Calls For ‘Immediate, Full And Transparent Investigation’ Into Jacob Blake Shooting (Forbes)

All The Places Planning Police Reform In The Wake Of George Floyd (Forbes)


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