Rep. Brostoff Statement on Police Shooting of Jacob Blake
MILWAUKEE – In response to yesterday’s police shooting of Kenosha resident Jacob Blake, State Representative Jonathan Brostoff released the following statement:
“Seven times. Jacob Blake was shot seven times yesterday, by someone whose sworn duty was to protect. That officer shot Jacob Blake in front of HIS CHILDREN in broad daylight. A man who tried to be a good Samaritan, who tried to break up a fight between two of his fellow community members, was shot in his back by a police officer seven times.”
“Situations like this one happen with tragic regularity in our country, and prove that the time for talk is over: now is time for meaningful, substantive action. I am calling for immediate action on the following: body cameras on each and every police officer in the line of duty; an end to qualified immunity, and changing laws in order to hold officers personally liable for unwarranted lethal and near-lethal actions that they take; we must demilitarize police departments, end the 1033 program and ban ‘warrior’ training; and most especially, we need to shrink police budgets and reallocate that money to proven community alternatives. These changes are important steps forward and there are more we will need, but now is the time for action. How on Earth is it appropriate to have armed police respond to a non-violent verbal altercation, rather than unarmed professionals who are actually trained in de-escalation techniques? Again and again we see that this status quo doesn’t work, and hasn’t worked. It’s time to imagine and invest in non-violent alternatives.
I thank G-d that Jacob Blake is still alive, and I hope and pray that he is able to go home to his family soon. Black Lives Matter. Jacob Blake’s life matters. And for his sake, for his children’s sake, and for the sake of every single person who has ever faced or feared violence at the hands of the people we pay to supposedly keep us safe, we must begin to build a better future, now.”
More about the Shooting of Jacob Blake
- 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
- Jacob Blake Sues Kenosha Officer Who Shot Him - Corri Hess - Mar 26th, 2021
- Community Leaders Lament Jacob Blake Decision - PrincessSafiya Byers - Jan 9th, 2021
- Rep. Robyn Vining Responds to Kenosha DA Decision - State Rep. Robyn Vining - Jan 7th, 2021
- Body Cameras Would Have Helped Jacob Blake Shooting Investigation - Corri Hess - Jan 7th, 2021
- Joint Statement on Charging Decision in Jacob Blake Case - Milwaukee Common Council - Jan 6th, 2021
- Barnes Rips Kenosha DA On Blake Shooting - Melanie Conklin - Jan 6th, 2021
- Rep. Stubbs’ Statement on Decision to not Charge Officer Sheskey in Shooting of Jacob Blake - State Rep. Shelia Stubbs - Jan 6th, 2021
Read more about Shooting of Jacob Blake here
Mentioned in This Press Release
Recent Press Releases by State Rep. Jonathan Brostoff
Rep. Brostoff Statement on Gov. Evers’ ‘21-’23 Biennial Budget
Feb 16th, 2021 by State Rep. Jonathan Brostoff“A Bold Biennial Budget That Will… Move Our State Forward”
Rep. Brostoff Statement on Gov. Evers’ Mental Health Budget Initiatives
Feb 10th, 2021 by State Rep. Jonathan Brostoff“Join Me in Thanking Governor Evers for This Important Move”