Statement on the Shooting of Jacob Blake, the Damage to Kenosha, and the Special Session
(MADISON)—Today, Senator Tim Carpenter issued the following statement regarding the police shooting that took place in Kenosha on Sunday, and the events of the last 3 nights:
“I wish Jacob Blake a swift recovery, I hope that we may be able to hear his side of what happened Sunday evening. My sincere sympathy goes to his children and family, who witnessed Mr. Blake being shot. I hope that they can recover from that trauma.
“We need to honor the wishes of Jacob Blake’s family, who have asked for healing and change. Let any actions that you take be for peace, for the healing of Kenosha, its people, for communities across our state, and the healing of our country.
“Kenosha has seen its share of difficulty in the past. When Chrysler Corp. acquired AMC and halted production in 1988, it devastated the local economy, but Kenosha built itself back up stronger than ever. Following the destruction and casualty that has taken place in the last few days, Kenosha is facing another crisis now, but I have every confidence that the good people there will find their way through.
“Although an investigation has not been completed about why Jacob Blake was shot, it is clearly time for our state to take a look at the policies that we have in place and discuss and implement changes. The people of Wisconsin made this clear to us in May, after George Floyd was suffocated. At that time, the Legislative Black Caucus had told us of the need for a Special Session to address these issues.
“Now, after witnessing the events in Kenosha, our collective memory looks back on the moments that we have seen in our state, in our own memories of others who have been killed or treated unfairly. Too many of our fellow Wisconsinites have given up on justice, and feel like they cannot expect to be treated fairly by their government. It is time for the Legislature to show that we have heard the concerns of our citizens of color.
“The time is past for putting together task forces to discuss the existence of racial disparities. We have seen our state score last in metrics detailing drastic differences in education and incarceration for years. We have heard from demonstrators across our state who have brought forward their own solutions. Instead, it is time for us to convene the Legislature and pursue solutions—no more foot dragging, no more excuses and empty platitudes.
“I will be in my seat, prepared to do my job as a State Senator on August 31st. I trust that all of my colleagues will do their job and show up too.”
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 2020 Racial Justice Protests
- Rep. Ryan Clancy Settles With City Following 2020 Curfew Arrest - Jeramey Jannene - Dec 12th, 2023
- Supervisor Clancy Applauds Settlement in Clancy vs. City of Milwaukee - Ryan Clancy - Dec 12th, 2023
- Tosa Protest Assails Federal Court Decision Exonerating Police - Isiah Holmes - May 9th, 2023
- Wauwatosa ‘Target List’ Trial Begins - Isiah Holmes - May 3rd, 2023
- Shorewood Spitter Found Guilty For 2020 Protest Confrontation - Jeramey Jannene - Apr 20th, 2023
- City Hall: City Will Pay 2020 George Floyd Protester $270,000 - Jeramey Jannene - Feb 14th, 2023
- Tosa Protest Tickets Dismissed - Isiah Holmes - Jul 21st, 2022
- Op Ed: ‘We Need More’ - Charles Q. Sullivan - Mar 4th, 2022
- Milwaukee Officers Circulate “2020 Riot” Coins? - Isiah Holmes - Nov 14th, 2021
- City Hall: Police Department Tweets Lied To Public - Jeramey Jannene - Oct 27th, 2021
Read more about 2020 Racial Justice Protests here
More about the Kenosha Shooting
- Back in the News: The Return of Kyle Rittenhouse - Bruce Murphy - Feb 28th, 2022
- Op Ed: Rittenhouse Verdict Gives New Defense For Killing - Ion Meyn - Dec 20th, 2021
- Rittenhouse No Longer Enrolled at College - Henry Redman - Dec 1st, 2021
- Data Wonk: Rittenhouse Feared His Rifle Endangered Him - Bruce Thompson - Nov 24th, 2021
- Rittenhouse Says ‘Self-Defense Was On Trial’ - Shawn Johnson - Nov 23rd, 2021
- Murphy’s Law: After Rittenhouse, Expect More Vigilantes - Bruce Murphy - Nov 22nd, 2021
- Rep. Robyn Vining: Statement on Rittenhouse Verdict - State Rep. Robyn Vining - Nov 19th, 2021
- Attorney General Kaul Statement on the Verdict in Wisconsin v. Rittenhouse - Wisconsin Department of Justice - Nov 19th, 2021
- Supervisor Taylor Statement on the Rittenhouse Verdict - Sup. Sequanna Taylor - Nov 19th, 2021
- Rittenhouse Found Not Guilty on All Counts - WPR Staff - Nov 19th, 2021
Read more about Kenosha Shooting here
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