White House threat of federal agents in Milwaukee is unnecessary
Statement of Common Council President Cavalier Johnson July 20, 2020
Over the past few months, protesters have taken to the streets to voice concerns about police misconduct and systemic racism in the wake of George Floyd’s death at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer. I commend the protesters who have been demonstrating peacefully for systemic change.
As protesting continues across the country, President Trump’s administration has used tactics against protesters that are simply unacceptable. Most recently, we have seen federal agents ordered to quell protesters in Portland. The presence of these federal authorities has only added tension to the protests that have been occurring and has pinned federal forces against local leaders and authorities. Sending federal agents to intervene in protests across the nation is not only evoking more unrest, but it is truly an un-American act that is stifling citizens’ First Amendment rights.
Yesterday, White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows suggested that Milwaukee may be a city that is in need of this type of federal law enforcement intervention. The administration is justifying federal law enforcement intervention to ensure communities are safe and federal property remains undamaged. I believe federal agents are completely unnecessary in Milwaukee, and I am are proud of our residents who are standing up to systemic racism and exercising their right to make their voices heard.
If the Trump administration is considering sending federal law enforcement to Milwaukee, I ask that they consult with local elected officials and community leaders who know what is needed in their own communities I fully oppose the idea of federal law enforcement intervening in Milwaukee and believe doing so would only cause a deeper divide and heightened conflict.
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
- Plea Agreement Reached On Long-Pending Sherman Park Unrest Charges Involving Vaun Mayes - Jeramey Jannene - Oct 17th, 2024
- 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
Read more about 2020 Racial Justice Protests here
More about the Federal Agent Surge
- Federal “Surge” Is At Least 25 Agents - Jeramey Jannene - Jul 29th, 2020
- City Hall: Milwaukee Federal Agent “Surge” Nothing New? - Jeramey Jannene - Jul 27th, 2020
- Op Ed: Trump Has Enormous “Emergency” Powers - Matt Rothschild - Jul 27th, 2020
- League of Women Voters of Milwaukee County Statement on Deployment of Federal Law Enforcement Officers to Milwaukee - League of Women Voters of Milwaukee County - Jul 27th, 2020
- Special Public Safety and Health Committee meeting set for Monday, July 27 - Ald. Marina Dimitrijevic - Jul 25th, 2020
- Common Council opposes divisive and unwanted federal action in Milwaukee - Ald. Khalif Rainey - Jul 24th, 2020
- MPD responds to reported deployment of federal agents in Milwaukee - Milwaukee Police Department - Jul 23rd, 2020
- Trump Sending Federal Agent “Surge” to Milwaukee, State, Local Officials React - Jeramey Jannene - Jul 23rd, 2020
- Mayor Tom Barrett released the following statement: - Mayor Tom Barrett - Jul 23rd, 2020
- Council could back legislation requiring federal law enforcement officers to wear visible identification - Ald. Milele Coggs - Jul 23rd, 2020
Read more about Federal Agent Surge here
Mentioned in This Press Release
Recent Press Releases by Mayor Cavalier Johnson
Mayor Johnson Selects Board Appointees for The Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee
Jun 21st, 2024 by Mayor Cavalier JohnsonNew Resources Identified to Assist as HACM Resolves Pending Issues
