Joint Statement on Charging Decision in Jacob Blake Case
From members of the Milwaukee Common Council: Alderman Ashanti Hamilton, Alderman Cavalier Johnson, Alderman Nik Kovac, Alderwoman Nikiya Dodd, Alderwoman Milele A. Coggs, Alderwoman JoCasta Zamarripa, Alderwoman Chantia Lewis, Alderman José G. Pérez and Alderwoman Marina Dimitrijevic
His children were in the car. He was walking toward the car. He may never walk again.
Someone shot him in the back seven times, from close range.
This is the United States of America, and anyone that lives here should be shocked to learn that the shooter will walk away without judicial punishment. But once we learn that the paralyzed father wore black skin while the shooter wore a blue uniform, then we’re suddenly not surprised.
In downtown Milwaukee, Dontre Hamilton took a nap across the street from our City Hall. He was awakened by a police officer who attempted to forcibly search him without cause. Then the officer took out his baton to beat Dontre. The officer then shot him 14 times.
The Milwaukee County District Attorney made the same decision in that 2014 case that the Kenosha District Attorney just did; that no jury will ever decide if the Hamilton family or the Blake family have a chance to witness justice in the wake of tragedy.
In both cases, the District Attorneys pointed to Wisconsin statutes that define the “reasonable” use of police violence and therefore would have made a conviction unlikely in either case. The state law cited by these county prosecutors producing these results means little to the citizens of Milwaukee and Kenosha that don’t want to live in a society where such state-sponsored violence is officially sanctioned.
The system is broken, that much is clear.
Just watch the video of the seven shots that paralyzed Jacob Blake. His children were watching, and now the entire world is watching.
If Wisconsin law says that was justified, then the laws of Wisconsin must change.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
More about the Shooting of Jacob Blake
- No Federal Charges For Officer That Shot Jacob Blake - Madeline Fox - Oct 8th, 2021
- Federal Officials Close Review of the Officer-Involved Shooting of Jacob Blake - U.S. Department of Justice - Oct 8th, 2021
- WisGOP Statement on One-Year Anniversary of Kenosha Violence - Republican Party of Wisconsin - Aug 24th, 2021
- One Year After Jacob Blake Shooting Kenosha Seeks Answers - Isiah Holmes and Henry Redman - Aug 23rd, 2021
- Gov. Evers Releases Statement One Year After Jacob Blake Shooting - Gov. Tony Evers - Aug 23rd, 2021
- Kenosha Activists Arrested During Protest of Jacob Blake - Henry Redman - May 6th, 2021
- Body Cameras Key To Charges Against Police - Corri Hess - May 4th, 2021
- Wisconsin Police Donated to Officer that Shot Jacob Blake - Jenny Peek and Corrinne Hess - Apr 16th, 2021
- Kenosha activists respond to tonight’s Officer Sheskey announcement - Leaders of Kenosha - Apr 13th, 2021
- Kenosha Police Department Statement on Officer Rusten Sheskey’s Return From Administrative Leave - Kenosha Police Department - Apr 13th, 2021
Read more about Shooting of Jacob Blake here
Mentioned in This Press Release
Recent Press Releases by Milwaukee Common Council
Beware of predatory colleges that promise quick degrees and employment
Jul 29th, 2024 by Milwaukee Common CouncilJoint statement from members of the Common Council: Alderwoman JoCasta Zamarripa, Alderwoman Andrea Pratt, Alderman Mark Chambers, Jr., Alderperson Jonathan Brostoff, Alderman Robert Bauman, Alderman DiAndre Jackson, Alderwoman Sharlen P. Moore, Alderman José G. Pérez, and Alderwoman Marina Dimitrijevic
Statement on proposed state task force on missing/murdered African American women and girls
May 16th, 2024 by Milwaukee Common CouncilStatement of Milwaukee Common Council members: Alderman Russell W. Stamper, II, Alderwoman Andrea M. Pratt, Alderman Mark Chambers, Jr., Alderman Jonathan Brostoff, Alderman Robert J. Bauman, Alderman Lamont Westmoreland, Alderwoman Milele A. Coggs, Alderman DiAndre Jackson, Alderwoman JoCasta Zamarripa, Alderwoman Larresa Taylor, Alderwoman Sharlen P. Moore, Alderman Peter Burgelis, Alderman José G. Pérez, Alderman Scott Spiker, and Alderwoman Marina Dimitrijevic