KENOSHA, Wis. (SPECTRUM NEWS) — Kenosha County leaders gave updates Monday afternoon on the city and President Trump's visit Tuesday. One thing that stuck out was out of 200-plus arrests in the last week, more than half are from outside the city Kenosha Co. Sheriff David Beth said. The Kenosha curfew will still be in effect for the rest of this week. 

Despite concern from the governor and mayor, President Donald Trump made it known that he will be traveling to Kenosha on Tuesday. Residents of the community have mixed feelings about the President's visit to their city, 

Following nights of civil unrest after the shooting of Jacob Blake, the White House said Trump will be meeting with law enforcement officers and “surveying” some of the damage from recent protests. Gov. Tony Evers and Kenosha Mayor John Antaramian expressed concern for the president's announcement, saying his presence might cause more backlash after the acts of unrest started to simmer. 

Friday night, attorneys representing 17-year-old Kyle Rittenhouse, Pierce Bainbridge, released a statement in defense of the Antioch, Illinois teenager now charged with five felonies and one misdemeanor after prosecutors say he opened fire in Kenosha overnight into Wednesday, shooting three people and killing two of them.

Wisonsin Department of Justice early Friday identified the other two Kenosha officers present during the shooting that left Jacob Blake paralyzed.

Prosecutors on Thursday evening charged 17-year-old Kyle Rittenhouse in the fatal shooting of two protesters and wounding of a third. He faces five felonies and six charges total. 

In a series of tweets, the ACLU called on the resignation of Police Chief Daniel Miskinis because he "blamed the victims in Tuesday night's shooting for their own deaths." And they call on the resignation of Sheriff David Beth saying his "deputies not only socialized with white supremacist counter-protestors on Tuesday, but allowed the shooter to leave the scene."

Thursday afternoon presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden and his running mate Sen. Kamala Harris addressed Trump's failure to condemn violence and denounce white supremecists in relation to the events surrounding Kenosha. Biden claimed that Trump wants violence because it takes the public attention off of COVID-19. 

Blake, 29, is paralyzed from the waist down. The shooting was captured in a graphic video filmed by a bystander across the street. 

Here are updates from the last few days:

Monday

6:00 p.m. Kenosha Mayor Says City Has Sufficient Support in Advance of Presidential Visit 

City of Kenosha Mayor John Antaramian announced that there is sufficient law enforcement support in advance of President Trump’s visit, which is anticipated for Tuesday, Sept. 1.

“With the local, regional and national law enforcement support currently in our city, I’m confident we have sufficient resources and aid to manage the president’s visit tomorrow and keep people safe,” said Mayor John Antaramian, City of Kenosha. “Our city has already experienced so much devastation. It’s my top priority to work collaboratively with law enforcement and take advantage of the additional support available to put necessary protocols in place to mitigate further damage and violence in our great city."

5:00 p.m. President Trump holds a White House Press Briefing and talks about his visit to Kenosha

Trump: "Kenosha was something we did a good job on. The governor didn't want us there. He didn't want the National Guard as you know. But I give him credit because he ultimately said yes." He added, "I have to see the people that did such a good job for me...we have tremendous support in the state of Wisconsin."

On potential violence that would come from his visit: "It could also increase enthusiasm. It could increase love and respect for our county. They did a fantastic job. As soon as I called and told them 'let's go,' the whole problem stopped. That was what, 6 days ago?" President Trump said.

 

3:00 p.m. The FBI of Milwaukee tweeted that they are proud to protect the community of Kenosha

2:20 p.m. Congressman Bryan Steil says he believes that President Trump's visit to Kenosha is a good idea

“I think the President’s visit to Kenosha is an opportunity to say thank you to the men and women of law enforcement who stood and re-establised public safety in the community of Kenosha. I am going to spend my time tomorrow to talk with the President about the efforts that were needed and what these men and women did to reestablish public safety in Kenosha.”

Steil also hopes to talk with the President about the steps needed for Kenosha to heal and rebuild in the wake of the destruction that has taken place over the past week.

1:30 p.m. Kenosha leaders give updates on protests, the city, and President Trump's visit

• Mayor John Antaramian: “We’re going to work together to resolve and move forward on those issues. I believe you will see a stronger Kenosha when we’re done.”
• Kenosha Mayor on Pres. Trump's visit: “I feel the timing is wrong,” and “I think that Kenosha at this present time needs peace.”
• Kenosha Co. Executive: Says body cameras will be included in the budget he presents in October for sheriff's deputies beginning in 2021. Last week, the mayor said they were in the budget for 2022.
• National Guard troops will remain in Kenosha for as long as needed
• A curfew is in place for the rest of the week in Kenosha
• Sheriff Beth chose not to comment on if he thinks it's a good idea for President Trump to visit Tuesday
• Beth: Out of the 200+ arrests made last week, more than half of them are from outside of the city

12:45 p.m. Presidential candidate Joe Biden blames President Donald Trump for mounting violence, calls for justice in speech:

Biden: “I know most cops are decent people.” He adds, “I want a safe America. Safe from COVID, safe from crime and looting, safe from racially motivated violence, safe from bad cops." Biden added that he's listening to Jacob Blake's parents.He says his mom said she was “praying for all police officers” as well as her son. “We need healing. That’s what we need to do as a nation, we need to heal.”

12:35 p.m. No plans for Trump to meet with Blake’s family in Kenosha — according to CNN

12:30 p.m. Gov. Evers releases statement on special session:

Gov. Tony Evers today released the following statement on the special session on policing accountability and transparency reform.

“The people of Wisconsin don’t want another task force or more delays—they want action and results, and they want it today, not tomorrow or some day months down the road. It’s disappointing that there’s no sense of urgency from Republicans, and it’s a let down to all the people who are asking us to lead. We have been talking about these bills for months, and Republicans have had plenty of time to consider them on the merits. I encourage Wisconsinites to contact their elected officials and ask them to show up and get to work to pass these bills. We don’t have time to wait.”

The governor and Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes announced a package of policing accountability and transparency reform legislation on June 19, 2020. In the wake of Jacob Blake being shot in Kenosha, Wis., Gov. Evers signed Executive Order #84 calling the legislature to take up the measures in a special session.

Earlier this year, Gov. Evers called special sessions on support for farmers and the agriculture industry and funding for education, respectively. Republicans in the Legislature ultimately adjourned these special sessions without sending any bills to the governor's desk. It has been 138 days since the Legislature last passed a bill.

12:15 p.m. Some Wisconsin lawmakers are demanding #JusticeforJake ahead of the special session called by Gov. Tony Evers.

 

 

8:13 a.m. After Gov. Tony Evers and the Kenosha mayor expressed concerns for President Trump visiting Kenosha on Tuesday, Trump took to Twitter to confirm he is still going to the city

6:15 a.m. Pro-police supporters gathered in downtown Kenosha Sunday. According to the Associated Press, they applauded when law enforcement vehicles rolled by. 

Sunday

5:45 p.m. Gov. Tony Evers writes a letter to President Trump asking him not to visit Kenosha on Tuesday. Read the full letter:

Dear President Trump:

I understand yesterday you indicated you would be visiting Kenosha, and according to pool reports last night, that you intend to visit Kenosha this Tuesday. I write today to respectfully ask you to reconsider. These past few months, from managing a pandemic to facing entrenched racial disparities and inequities, our state—like so many others—has faced unimaginable challenges. But this past week has been particularly difficult. Kenosha and communities across Wisconsin are enduring extraordinary grief, grappling with a Black man being shot seven times and the loss of two additional lives on Tuesday night at the hands of an out-of-state armed militant. When I visited Kenosha last week, what I saw was a community working to deal with the trauma and pain of these events and extreme loss. They are exhausted and heartbroken with the division that has ripped apart their community, but they are also already working to rebuild, together, and support each other in the face of adversity. I, along with other community leaders who have reached out, are concerned about what your presence will mean for Kenosha and our state. I am concerned your presence will only hinder our healing. I am concerned your presence will only delay our work to overcome division and move forward together. It is our job as elected officials to lead by example and to be a calming presence for the people we know are hurting, mourning, and trying to cope with trauma. Now is not the time for divisiveness. Now is not the time for elected officials to ignore armed militants and out-of-state instigators who want to contribute to our anguish. Moreover, as the Kenosha community continues their recovery efforts, I am likewise concerned that an in-person visit from you will require a massive re-direction of these resources to support your visit at a time when it is critical that we continue to remain focused on keeping the people of Kenosha safe and supporting the community’s response. Our first responders have been working around the clock since Sunday evening. To date, and contrary to yours and others’ misinformation, I have continued to stress that protests need to be peaceful and that we must come together to address the significant challenges that we face, and the State of Wisconsin has fulfilled every request for support we have received from the City of Kenosha and Kenosha County leaders. Early Monday morning, Kenosha County requested National Guard assistance and 125 Wisconsin National Guard men and women were on the ground by Monday evening, 250 members on Tuesday evening, 500 members on Wednesday evening, and we have continued to increase their presence with additional National Guard support from Arizona, Michigan, and Alabama. Likewise, Wisconsin Emergency Management has been working with local law enforcement non-stop and beginning Sunday night through the last week, we have had hundreds of police officers from across the region and from across the state in Kenosha to assist the Kenosha Police Department and the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Department. As governor, I will continue to support the Kenosha community as well as the people across our state who are demanding police accountability and transparency reform. This work cannot wait, which is why I have called the Wisconsin legislature to come to work on Monday and take up a policing accountability and transparency reform package. I would welcome your support of these initiatives. For the reasons above, I urge you to revisit your decision to visit Kenosha on Tuesday.

Thank you for your time and your consideration of this request.

Sincerely, Tony Evers

5:15 p.m. Kenosha mayor John Antaramian told NPR he does not want the president to visit the city "at this point in time."

7:58 a.m. Drone footage shows the damage around Kenosha.

Saturday

8:15 p.m. President Trump will visit Kenosha on Tuesday to meet with local law enforcement and survey damage from the recent riots.

6:50 p.m. Peaceful protesting continues today in Kenosha. Hundreds marching downtown Saturday evening.

6:00 p.m. Jacob Blake's father speaking to the crowd about his son in Kenosha Saturday evening. 

4:00 p.m. Hundreds march at a rally for Jacob Blake Saturday in Kenosha, Wisconsin. 

2:25 p.m. Hundreds gather for a Justice for Jacob Blake rally in Kenosha.

12:30 p.m. Cleanup is underway in Kenosha today. Our reporter Angie Angers shows a restaurant that has been destroyed.

This mattress shop in Kenosha has also been demolished.

 

11:30 a.m. Our reporter Curtis McCloud gives a Saturday morning update in Kenosha

7:00 a.m Our Asal Rezaei captured a picture in Civic Park last night where she said there were no demonstrations thirty minutes after curfew. 

Friday

7:25 p.m. Friday night, attorneys representing 17-year-old Kyle Rittenhouse, Pierce Bainbridge, released a statement in defense of the Antioch, Illinois teenager now charged with five felonies and one misdemeanor after prosecutors say he opened fire in Kenosha overnight into Wednesday, shooting three people and killing two of them.

"Kyle did nothing wrong. He exercised his God-given, Constitutional, common law and statutory law right to self-defense," according to the statement issued by John Pierce of Pierce Bainbridge.

The statement goes on to say that "he had been attempting to protect a business the mob wanted to destroy."6:25 p.m. Hundreds gather for a candelight vigil in Civic Park for Jacob Blake. 

 

5:55 p.m. Peaceful protests continue tonight in Kenosha, Wisconsin.

5:01 p.m. Nationally renowned civil rights attorney Ben Crump and co-counsels Patrick Salvi and B’Ivory Lamarr have released the following statement on the announcement that the warrants against Jacob Blake were vacated:

“We have learned today that the warrants for Jacob Blake were vacated, although the charges against him are still pending. Fortunately, a man who is paralyzed and fighting for his life after being shot seven times in the back, will no longer have to deal with the pain of having his ankles and wrist shackled and the traumatic stress of being under armed guard.”

4:55 p.m. Dozens of National Guard troops across from the Civic Park in Kenosha

4:30 p.m. Kenosha police reminding people that there is a State of Emergency curfew for 7 p.m. tonight.

2:55 p.m. According to CNN, handcuffs restraining Jacob Blake to a hospital bed have been removed, his attorney, Patrick Cafferty, told CNN Friday afternoon.

Kenosha County Sheriff's Department spokesman Sgt. David Wright on Friday explained that Blake was handcuffed to the bed because he "has felony warrants for his arrest from crimes he committed prior to the shooting incident."

Those warrants have been vacated, Cafferty said Friday.

Blake, a Black Wisconsin resident, has been left paralyzed from the waist down after he was shot seven times in the back by a White police officer who tried to detain him this week in Kenosha.

2:05 p.m. ATF agents are surveying burned properties in Kenosha and state fire marshall agents are helping with arson investigations.

1:50 p.m. The Wisconsin Senate plans to meet in a special session Monday to discuss police reform in wake of Jacob Blake shooting.

1:35 p.m. Kenosha residents are hoping protesters will leave their homes alone. 

1:30 p.m. Kenosha County leaders are giving updates on this week's protests and the shooting of Jacob Blake

Kenosha County Executive Jim Kreuser: "We're grateful and thankful that the protesting last night was done peacefully." "To everyone who's been abiding by the nightly curfew-- thank you, thank you, thank you. I support everybody's right to protest peacefully" "I think we found that people going home after dark has played a significant role damping down the violence & destruction"

Sheriff David Beth: "Things are improving and the local people here are rebuilding." On what the nation should know about Kenosha: "It's a great place to live. It's a great place to raise a family." "The part that's damaged and hurt, we are going to work together and rebuild."

Maj. Gen. Paul Knapp: "Don't let looting or rioting drown out your voice."

He says there will continue to be more National Guard members coming in from other states and they are grateful. There will be over 1,000 National Guard Members in Wisconsin. 

12:45 p.m. Jacob Blake's family speaks at the 2020 March on Washington:

Jacob’s sister — “Black women, you are you brother’s keeper. Black children, read, learn, grown, live and question everything. Black men: Stand up. Educate yourself and protect the family unit."

“There are two justice systems in America,” for white America and Black America, Jacob Blake Sr. said. “We’re not taking it anymore.”

Jacob Blake Sr. on Rev. Al Sharpton: I met this man when I was 7 years old. How did I know I would meet him again?

Jacob Blake's Aunt: "We told them to stop. After Trayvon, we told them to stop. After Sandra Bland, we told them to stop after Orlando Castille, we especially told them to stop after George Floyd. Now, after the attempted execution of my nephew, we're telling them to stop again. We need people to listen and figure out how to solve this problem."

11 a.m. Rev. Jesse Jackson calls for swift justice in the Kenosha, Wisconsin case involving police shooting an unarmed Black man

Rev. Jesse Jackson: "As a pattern, killing black people when Dylan Roof killed nine, Black people in church in Charleston, South Carolina, the police took him to get a hamburger before taking him to jail. He walked away. The killer walked away free. When George Floyd was killed in Minnesota, the killer went home that night. The prosecutor said didn't nothing happen. The next day when Keyes got the case, first time in the history of Minnesota black police had been, uh, indicted for killing Breonna Taylor, the killers in Kentucky still walk free today. Killer (unintelligible) the shooter walked free today. The fact of the matter is the prosecutor said in the Minnesota, they could not file a case against the killer of George Floyd. Keith Ellison the attorney general moved quickly. And then them now they're guilty until another similar (unitelligible). Upon the state's attorney in this state's attorney general to move and move quickly. We must know that justice works for the people."

10:00 a.m. Jacob Blake's family members are expected to speak at the "March on Washington" event today in Washington D.C.

9:30 a.m. Teen charged in Kenosha killings stalls return to Wisconsin

KENOSHA, Wis. (AP) — A judge agreed Friday to delay for a month a decision on whether a 17-year-old from Illinois should be returned to Wisconsin to face charges accusing him of fatally shooting two protesters and wounding a third during a night of unrest following the weekend police shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha.

The Illinois judge postponed Kyle Rittenhouse’s extradition hearing to Sept. 25 during a brief hearing that was streamed online. Rittenhouse faces five felony charges, including first-degree intentional homicide and first-degree reckless homicide, and a misdemeanor charge for possession of a dangerous weapon by a minor.

Rittenhouse did not appear in the livestreamed hearing, where his attorney Jennifer Snyder, an assistant public defender in Lake County, Illinois, asked for the delay. The judge said Rittenhouse had been permitted to speak by phone with his mother and was in the process of hiring an attorney.

Rittenhouse, a white teen who was armed with a semi-automatic rifle as he walked Kenosha’s streets with other armed civilians during this week’s protests, would face a mandatory life sentence if convicted of first-degree intentional homicide. Under Wisconsin law, anyone 17 or older is treated as an adult in the criminal justice system.

9:00 a.m. The defense team of Kyle Rittenhouse is set to speak at the Lake County Courthouse in Illinois

6:17 a.m. The Wisconsin DOJ identifies the other two officers involved in the police shooting Sunday that paralyzed Jacob Blake. Officials said Kenosha Police Officer Vincent Arenas also deployed his taser, but that taser was also not successful in stopping Blake. Arenas has served with Kenosha Police Department since February 2019, with prior service with the United States Capitol Police Department. Kenosha Police Officer Brittany Meronek, who joined Kenosha Police Department in January of this year, was also at the scene when the shooting happened.

Thursday

8:00 p.m. Kenosha Police Dept. asking people to stay at home and off the streets. Our Spectrum News crew says things still remain quiet.

7:20 p.m. Asal says things are still calm in Kenosha on Day 5 of protests.

7:00 p.m. Curfew has started in Kenosha. 

6:30 p.m. Sabra Ayres also reporting that things are a lot calmer tonight in Kenosha than previous nights this week. 

6:08 p.m. Our Asal Rezaei says there's an "incredible feeling of positivity" in Kenosha right now.

5:38 p.m. Prosecutors charge 17-year-old Kyle Rittenhouse in the fatal shooting of two protesters and wounding of a third

Kenosha County District Attorney Michael Graveley filed the charges against Kyle Rittenhouse Thursday afternoon. The charges include one count of first-degree intentional homicide; one count of first-degree reckless homicide; one count of attempted first-degree intentional homicide; two counts of first-degree reckless endangerment. All those charges are felonies. He could face a mandatory life sentence if convicted of first-degree intentional homicide, the most serious crime in Wisconsin.

5:30 p.m. Former presidential candidate Andrew Yang tweets that he's talked to Jacob Blake's father.

When asked what message he could relay he said, "tell them my son is a human being."

5:15 p.m. Gov. Tony Evers and Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes address the media in Kenosha, Wisconsin

Barnes: We need to acknowledge that the fact #JacobBlake is alive is a "miracle." Barnes and Gov. Evers spoke with Blake's family today, as well as local businesses and community leaders

• He says DCI's investigation is ongoing, but still contributes to the pattern of violence against Black lives.
• He says the behavior of the agitators coming from other areas with long guns is unacceptable and the shooting of three protesters can never happen again.
• Barnes expresses that he's very upset that someone from out-of-state was able to come to Wisconsin with a long gun and shoot people. 

Maj. Gen. Paul Knapp: Mission of National Guard is to continue to support local law enforcement.

• Reinforcements from National Guards in Arizona, Alabama, and Michigan are coming to Kenosha.
• Those coming from other state will be under his [Knapp's] commmand.

Gov. Tony Evers: Says he's seen the video that shows local law enforcement officers thanking armed agitators in Kenosha. He calls the video "concerning" and says he wants to "disinvite" armed agitators from Kenosha and Wisconsin.

• Evers says he hopes the officers shows on that video receive corrective action.
• He says he hopes the special session he called on Monday shows Wisconsinites that the government is working toward change. He calls upon Republicans specifically to show up on Monday.
• Evers was not able to confirm if Kyle Rittenhouse was being charged with one or two counts of murder.

5:12 p.m. Kenosha churches gather in Harbor Park to pray and heal as a community. 

4:59 p.m. NHL cancels all games today and tomorrow in wake of Blake's shooting

4:33 p.m. Sen. Chris Larson is calling for change on social media. He says he'll be at the special session on Monday and is publicly questioning Sen. Scott Firtzgerald on his attendance plan.

4:18 p.m. The Kenosha police department releases a statement with information about nine arrests made. Charges are pending. Police suspect they were preparing for criminal activity related to civil unrest.

4:12 p.m. American Civil Liberties Union are calling for the resigniation of Chief Miskinis and Sheriff Beth.  ACLU Wisconsin released the following statement:

"Sheriff David Beth's deputies not only fraternized with white supremacist counter-protesters on Tuesday, but allowed the shooter to leave as people yelled that he was the shooter. The sheriff excused this by saying his deputies may not have paid attention to the gunman because there were many distractions, including “screaming” and “hollering,” people running, police vehicles idling, “nonstop radio traffic,” and that “in situations that are high stress, you have such an incredible tunnel vision.” Sheriff Beth was also criticized last year after calling for five people of color who had been arrested for shoplifting to be put into warehouses “where we put these people who have been deemed to be no longer an asset.” 

During the Kenosha Police Department’s first press conference in response to the Blake shooting and subsequent murders committed at protests, Police Chief Daniel Miskinis blamed the unidentified victims in Tuesday night’s shooting for their own deaths, saying the violence was the result of the “persons” involved violating curfew. 

“The ACLU strongly condemns Sheriff Beth and Police Chief Miskinis’ response to both the attempted murder of Jacob Blake and the protests demanding justice for him. Their actions uphold and defend white supremacy, while demonizing people who were murdered for exercising their First Amendment rights and speaking out against police violence,” said Chris Ott, Executive Director of the ACLU of Wisconsin. “The only way to rectify these actions is for both Sheriff Beth and Police Chief Daniel Miskinis to immediately tender their resignations.” 

If Sheriff Beth and Police Chief Miskinis refuse to immediately tender their resignation, the ACLU is calling for Kenosha Mayor John Antaramian to demand the police chief’s removal by the Kenosha Police and Fire Commission, and the sheriff’s removal by Gov. Tony Evers."

3:15 p.m. Head coach Matt LeFleur talks about his decision to cancel practice today for the Packers. 

 

 

 

2:40 p.m. The Wisconsin Legislative Black Caucus released the following statement regarding the shooting of Jacob Blake:

As Mr. Jacob Blake continues to fight for his life after a most violent encounter with Kenosha police; we pray for his recovery.  We know that Mr. Blake’s police encounter was only the latest example of systemic racism within US police culture. As a caucus we continue to fight for equity for Wisconsinites and justice for those who have been aggrieved by the effects racism.  We are honored to be joined in our efforts today by Rev. Jesse Jackson, a champion for equal rights and one whose many decades of leadership spur us towards being a ‘more perfect union’. We offer ourselves and our resources to the family of Mr. Blake and to City of Kenosha; understanding that equity is required by and for all, by any means necessary.

Members of the Wisconsin Legislative Black Caucus are: Senators Lena Taylor (D-Milwaukee) and LaTonya Johnson (D-Milwaukee) and Representatives Jason Fields (D-Milwaukee), David Bowen (D-Milwaukee), Kalan Haywood II (D-Milwaukee), LaKeshia Myers (D-Milwaukee), and Sheila Stubbs (D-Madison).

2:00 p.m. Joe Biden and Kamala Harris discuss President Trump's failure to lead and what they would do differently.

VP Joe Biden: “I’ve condemned the violence from the very beginning. There is no place for violence or looting.” He added that Trump wants violence because it takes attention off COVID.

Kamala Harris: “As Vice President Biden put it, the shots fired at Mr. Blake pierced the soul of our nation. It’s sickening to watch. It’s all too familiar and it must end. Thankfully, he’s alive today, but he is fighting for his life and shouldn’t have to be.” Harris also praised Blake's parents, saying they need to heal the nation. 

Kamala Harris: “We must always defend peaceful protests and peaceful protesters.” She also added, "we will not let these vigilantes and extremists derail the path to justice," referencing Tuesday night's shootings.

Harris on justice: “The reality is that the life of a Black person in America has never been treated as fully human and we have yet to fulfill that promise of equal justice under law.” Harris calls for police reform, meaningful legislation to overcome racial injustice.

1:39 p.m. Churches throughout Kenosha representing diverse congregations will gather in prayer to seek God’s peace, justice and mercy for the good of the city at 5 p.m. tonight at Harbor Park near the Civil War Museum downtown.

Pastors and parishioners from several congregations will join in solidarity to pray for an end to the turmoil and violence of recent days.

A partial list of those attending: Christ the King Church, Living Light Christian Church, Journey Church, Immanuel Kenosha Church, Daybreak Church, Light of Christ Anglican Church, The Furnace House of Prayer. The Encounter Church and Acts Church of Kenosha.  The pastors, who meet together regularly for private prayer, decided Wednesday morning to hold a public event to encourage residents to pray for the city.

1:25 p.m. Kenosha County Leaders give updates on this week's protests and the shooting of Jacob Blake:

• Mayor John Antaramian says he wants his community to understand that police, the National Guard and other authorities are in Kenosha to keep people safe.
• The mayor also notes he is happy to see the community coming together to help one another and build the county back up. Rebuilding "is a call to action... I have asked the governor for support, financially, for the businesses. I've asked the same of the federal government."
• Sherrif David Beth thanks both peaceful protesters, and those that obeyed the curfew so his officers could do their jobs. "I think the people that we there last night, were Kenosha's people."
• Beth says he is appreciative of both federal and state assistance that's been available since the onset of the protests.
• "The state has been fantastic on sending resources, since the very first minute we asked them. They've sent everything we've asked for, and they've been outstanding."
• He says he knows there are still "instigators of trouble" but he is "very pleased" with people's actions and behaviors yesterday.
• Chief Dan Miskinis says from Kenosha police's perspective, things have been calmer. Miskinis says the police are doing their best to maintain a safe environment for everyone.
• Miskinis thanks those who are peacefully protesting, and not letting previous violence deter their desire for change.
• Miskinis has no additional updates on the shooting that happened Tuesday, leaving two people dead and one injured. The suspect is in custody and the case is active.

12:55 p.m. States Providing Additional Support to Wisconsin for Kenosha Protests:

Gov. Tony Evers requested other states, under the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC), to bring additional National Guard troops, equipment, and resources to Kenosha to support civil authorities there.

EMAC is a mutual aid agreement that allows governors to provide state-to-state assistance during declared states of emergency. It will enable other states to provide resources such as National Guard troops and equipment to the requesting state.

National Guard troops from Arizona, Michigan and Alabama will add to Wisconsin National Guard troops already on the ground supporting civil authorities in Kenosha under the EMAC.

Any National Guard troops from other states mobilized to support Wisconsin would do so in a State Active Duty status – not in a federal status. Those troops would fall under the operational control of Wisconsin's adjutant general during their mobilization, but remain under their respective State's administrative control.

Wisconsin National Guard troops have been on duty in Kenosha since August 24 when authorities in Kenosha made an initial request for Guard assistance. In the ensuing days, local officials in Kenosha made subsequent requests for additional Wisconsin National Guard assistance, resulting in more troops supporting public safety efforts in the city each day. Troop numbers will continue to be adjusted as needed.

Local officials are leading the response in Kenosha, and National Guard troops are serving in a support role to assist civil authorities in preserving public safety and individuals' ability to exercise their First Amendment rights to assemble peaceably.

12:30 p.m. Jacob Blake's family is hosting a “Justice for Jacob” peaceful protest this Saturday afternoon in Kenosha.

 

12:00 p.m. Rev. Jesse Jackson: “I really hope the man who shot [#JacobBlake] should be in jail until he can walk.” Blake is currently paralyzed.

 

11:45 a.m. Businesses continue to put boards on their windows in Kenosha by the county courthouse.

11:30 a.m. Rev. Jesse Rackson and Kenosha NAACP hold a press conference to discuss the shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha

Wisconsin NAACP: “We must continue to fight, organize, and mobilize against police brutality.”

Rev. Jesse Jackson: “There’s a pattern in killing Black people.” He urges the attorney general to move forward with pressing charges against officer Rusten Sheskey “quickly.”

10:45 a.m. Wisconsin Lutheran College today announced that after further review with careful consideration of the escalating events in Kenosha, the Board of Regents and the Administration have jointly decided to present a different speaker instead of the Vice President of the United States, Michael R. Pence, at the Saturday, August 29, 2020, commencement. The College is pleased to announce that Rev. Mark Jeske of St. Marcus Lutheran Church has agreed to serve as the commencement speaker.

10:30 a.m. Crews and volunteers continue to clean up Kenosha this morning. 

9:48 a.m. Like several other NFL teams, the Packers have decided not to practice today.

 

9:30 a.m. The Denver Nuggets tweeted information on how to demand action in Wisconsin.

 

8:50 a.m. Lifelong Kenosha resident talks to our Angie Angers about what she felt about the destruction she say this morning.

8:00 a.m. Cleanup continues across Kenosha.

7:20 a.m. Blocks away from the Kenosha County Courthouse are roughly 30 fully burned cars.

7:12 a.m. It was a relatively quiet night in Kenosha compared to the previous night. 

 

 

 

6:45 a.m. A crowd of approximately 300 people walked through downtown Madison streets in a relatively peaceful night, according to the Associated Press.

6:00 a.m. In the wake of Tuesday night’s shooting, and hours after President Trump sending members of the National Guard to Kenosha, there was a noticeable smaller, more peaceful crowd Wednesday night.

Most of the demonstrators were from a local group combined with people from Kenosha and surrounding areas.

Organizers said dozens of others have traveled in from out of town each night and many said they’re to blame for the destruction.  

Several came from Chicago, St. Louis, and other cities. One man drove in from Minneapolis on Wednesday, saying he is staying in Kenosha all week for solidarity.

“We’re just here to show solidarity and let Kenosha know that they’re seen, here for moral support,” the man who wished to remain unidentified said. “Just here to be a hand when they need, so we’re just kind of waiting for them to tell us what to do and that’s what we’ll do.”​