National Guard Deployed to Manage Protests in Wisconsin

Gov. Tony Evers deployed the Wisconsin National Guard to assist local law enforcement agencies with protests following the officer-involved shooting of Jacob Blake.

Evers, a Democrat, confirmed that 125 members of the National Guard would be deployed to Kenosha, the city where Blake, a 29-year-old black man, was shot several times by police officers during an arrest on Sunday. The governor said they would be tasked with protecting infrastructure from vandalism and looting as well as ensuring the safety of firefighters working in the area.

“This is a limited mobilization of the National Guard focused on supporting the needs of local first responders to protect critical infrastructure, such as utilities and fire stations, and to ensure Kenoshians are able to assemble safely,” Evers said on Monday.

The Kenosha Police Department issued a curfew just after midnight early Monday morning that lasted until 7 a.m. The department sent a notice to the public via text message, noting that the curfew was caused by “numerous armed robberies and shots fired calls.” The department announced that the curfew would be reinstated at 8 p.m. on Monday evening. . .

Kenosha was the site of protests and riots on Sunday night after the video of Blake’s shooting went viral. Several fires were set during the riots, and tear gas was used by police to enforce a curfew that was implemented in the city. One officer was hit with a brick during the riots. (Read more from “National Guard Deployed to Manage Protests in Wisconsin” HERE)

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