Biden to meet Blake family in Kenosha trip
MADISON: Democratic candidate Joe Biden was due to get his campaign back on the road with a trip to Kenosha to meet the family of Jacob Blake, the African-American man whose shooting at the hands of local police sparked riots that reduced the Wisconsin city to a war zone.
The challenger said the visit was aimed at helping “heal” the city shaken by racially charged unrest and show rival President Donald Trump, who was on the ground there two days ago, that he is re-entering the election campaign arena after months of coronavirus-related caution.
The trip is also expected to offer a contrasting vision to the law-andorder message of the President, who was pressing the flesh with supporters in Wilmington against the backdrop of the Battleship North Carolina to mark the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II.
Mr Biden will spend time with the family of Mr Blake, who was shot in the back seven times by a white police officer on August 23, triggering days of angry protests.
“We’ve got to heal,” the former vice-president said. “We’ve got to put things together. Bring people together. And so my purpose in going will be to do just that, to be a positive influence on what’s going on.”
Wisconsin is expected to play a crucial role in the November 3 presidential election. Mr Trump narrowly won the state in 2016, and the Republican President visited Kenosha on Tuesday – against the wishes of the Democratic mayor and governor, who feared his presence would stoke tensions.
Asked whether his visit likewise risked inflaming the situation, Mr Biden said he had spoken to local leaders and “there has been overwhelming requests that I do come”.
Demonstrations in Kenosha began peacefully on the night Mr Blake was shot, but evolved into violence for several nights running. It culminated on August 25 when two people were shot dead. A 17-year-old white Trump supporter has been arrested and charged with their murder.
The President has refused to condemn the growing presence of armed vigilantes at protests, or the killings.
Unlike his rival, Mr Biden relentlessly denounces US institutional racism, and said on Thursday he agreed with his running mate Kamala Harris that the white officer who shot Mr Blake should be charged.
Until now, Mr Biden has hesitated to hit the campaign trail, responsibly adhering to local COVID-19 health guidelines and campaigning online.