President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday he will be sending federal law enforcement and the National Guard to Kenosha, Wis. after protests intensified in response to the police shooting of Jacob Blake.
“We will NOT stand for looting, arson, violence, and lawlessness on American streets. My team just got off the phone with Governor Evers who agreed to accept federal assistance (Portland should do the same!)…,” Trump said.
He added, “…TODAY, I will be sending federal law enforcement and the National Guard to Kenosha, WI to restore LAW and ORDER!”
We will NOT stand for looting, arson, violence, and lawlessness on American streets. My team just got off the phone with Governor Evers who agreed to accept federal assistance (Portland should do the same!)…
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 26, 2020
Protesters took to the streets after news of Blake’s death spread.
Blake, a Black man, was shot in the back several times at point-blank range by officers with the Kenosha Police Department.
Shortly after the shooting, protesters began marching toward the Kenosha County Public Safety Building, as IJR previously reported.
According to reports, some protesters set several dump trucks on fire, smashed cars, and broke windows.
On the third night of protests, a gunman opened fire killing two people and injuring a third. The Kenosha police reported the third person injured sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
A 17-year-old has been arrested in connection to the fatal shooting at the protest, the Village of Antioch Police Department said in a Facebook post on Wednesday. The department announced the suspect “is currently in custody of the Lake County Judicial System pending an extradition hearing to transfer custody from Illinois to Wisconsin.”
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers (D) took to Twitter to offer condolences to the individuals and their families.
“My heart breaks for the families and loved ones of the two individuals who lost their lives and the individual who was injured last night in Kenosha. We as a state are mourning this tragedy,” Evers said.
My heart breaks for the families and loved ones of the two individuals who lost their lives and the individual who was injured last night in Kenosha. We as a state are mourning this tragedy.
— Governor Tony Evers (@GovEvers) August 26, 2020
Evers stressed violence should not be tolerated and asked protesters to demonstrate peacefully.
“I want to be very clear: we should not tolerate violence against any person. I’m grateful there has already been swift action to arrest one person involved. The individual or individuals whose actions resulted in this tragic loss of life must be held accountable,” Evers said.
A senseless tragedy like this cannot happen again. I again ask those who choose to exercise their First Amendment rights please do so peacefully and safely, as so many did last night.
— Governor Tony Evers (@GovEvers) August 26, 2020
He added, “A senseless tragedy like this cannot happen again. I again ask those who choose to exercise their First Amendment rights please do so peacefully and safely, as so many did last night.”