Kenosha split on Trump visit
Mayor, Blake’s family criticize trip; county leaders support it
KENOSHA, Wis. — Some residents in Kenosha fear that a planned visit by President Donald Trump after unrest over the police shooting of Jacob Blake may cause more violence after several days of peace.
The city’s mayor and the state’s governor also said they believe that Trump’s visit comes at a bad time. But others welcomed the president’s trip, scheduled for Tuesday, when he will tour damage and meet with law enforcement.
Trump’s visit comes as demonstrators are calling for the officer who shot Blake to be fired and face attempted murder charges, and more than a week after authorities say a 17-year-old from northern Illinois shot and killed two protesters.
The tension began Aug. 23 after a video showed a Kenosha police officer shooting Blake, a Black man, in the back while responding to a call about a domestic dispute. All last week, Black Lives Matter protesters held events to call for changes to policing.
Democratic Gov. Tony Evers called a special session of the Legislature for Monday to take up a host of police reform measures, but Republicans took no immediate action.
Authorities said they had resources in place to protect the bedroom community between Chicago and Milwaukee, including more than 1,500 National Guard members.
Kenosha County Sheriff David Beth said more than 200 people have been arrested since the protests began. Of those, more than half are from outside Kenosha, he said. Many arrests were for curfew violations and included possible charges for burglary, possession of illegal drugs and carrying concealed weapons without a permit, officials said.
Beth also said that “outside agitators” have used social media or made phone calls to churches and businesses to scare people and spread false rumors.
Family members say Blake, 29, is paralyzed, and a lawyer said most of his colon and small intestine were removed. His family led a large peaceful protest Saturday, just before Trump announced his plans to visit.
White House press secretary Kayleigh Mcenany said Monday that Trump has no immediate plans to meet with Blake’s family when he’s in Kenosha. Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden spoke with Blake’s family last week.
Blake’s family planned a Tuesday “community celebration” to correspond with Trump’s visit.
“We don’t need more pain and division from a president set on advancing his campaign at the expense of our city,” said uncle Justin Blake in a statement. “We need justice and relief for our vibrant community.”
On Sunday, Evers sent Trump a letter urging him not to come, saying the visit “will only delay our work to overcome division and move forward together.” But Kenosha County supervisors urged him not to cancel.
Trump showed no signs of backing down, tweeting about the unrest in Kenosha and saying “I will see you on Tuesday!”