Jacob Blake shooting: National Guard mobilizes, Kenosha approves emergency resolution



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Kenosha County District Attorney Michael Gravely to make his indictment decision for the officer who shot the 29-year-old black man in the first two weeks of January, according to the meeting agenda from Monday’s city council, which unanimously endorsed Mayor John Antaramian. emergency powers once the announcement is made.

Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers said Monday he was mobilizing 500 National Guard troops ahead of the decision at the request of local officials.

“Our National Guard members will be on hand to support local first responders, ensure Kenoshans are able to safely assemble and protect critical infrastructure if necessary,” Evers said in the statement.

Blake was shot seven times in the back by White Kenosha cop Rusten Sheskey responding to a call regarding a domestic incident on August 23, 2020. Blake survived the shooting but was left paralyzed from the waist down.

Disturbing video of the incident led to mass protests in Kenosha as well as across the United States.

Ben Crump, the civil rights lawyer who represents Blake’s family, said police shot Blake after trying to break up an argument between two women. Blake was entering his car, where his three young sons were, when a police officer grabbed his shirt and shot him point blank, Crump said.

Officers assisted Blake before he was airlifted to a Milwaukee hospital, the Wisconsin Department of Justice Criminal Investigations Division said.

Blake’s father, Jacob Blake Sr., called on Monday to press charges against the officer while urging Kenosha to “get up and make some noise”.

He added, “Let’s be heard around the world. We’re not going to stop at Kenosha. We’re heading to DC. We’re heading to Nancy Pelosi’s office. We’re heading to whoever will be in charge of because this needs to be heard at the federal level, not just for my son, but for anyone who has suffered police brutality – everyone. “

Blake’s uncle, Justin Blake, said his nephew worked to recover from the incident and became “our new hero”.

Jacob Blake released from hospital, but how long he will stay in rehab remains a question

“The way he takes this mental approach, the way he puts all of his effort into his therapy and the passion, if anyone could ever walk again it would be my nephew,” said Justin Blake.

“ Divergent opinions and strong emotions ” around the decision

The city is preparing for the decision on the charges.

In an editorial published in the Kenosha News on December 27, Mayor Antaramian and Police Chief Daniel Miskinis said they were unsure what the decision would be or when it would come, but said they would be ready.

“What we do know is that whatever the decision, people will have different opinions and strong feelings about it. It’s everyone’s right. Whether you agree or not, we ask you to express your views peacefully and legally, ”the officials wrote.

“We will not – we cannot – tolerate the kind of violence we saw on our streets earlier this year and we will take definitive action to protect our residents and our businesses.”

Meanwhile, Kyle Rittenhouse’s arraignment is scheduled for Tuesday.

Rittenhouse, 17, faces charges of shooting two men, Joseph Rosenbaum and Anthony Huber, fatally and injuring another, Gaige Grosskreutz, during protests following Blake’s shooting by the police.

Kyle Rittenhouse, Kenosha shooting suspect, sentenced to trial

Rittenhouse is also charged with possession of a dangerous weapon while under the age of 18, a misdemeanor, court records show.

Rittenhouse attorney Mark Richards argued that Rittenhouse acted in self-defense during a preliminary hearing last month.

Lawyers for Grosskreutz and Huber’s family on Sunday announced plans to file claims against Kenosha City and County, Kenosha County Sheriff’s Department, Police Chief Miskinis, Kenosha County Sheriff David Beth and other employees, according to the notice sent to Kenosha City and County Clerks.

They are each seeking $ 10 million in compensation, due to “intentional acts and negligence,” Grosskreutz attorney Kimberly Motley said.

CNN’s Raja Razek, Artemis Moshtaghian, Brad Parks Sara Sidner, Rebekah Riess and Eric Levenson contributed to this report.

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