Gov. Tony Evers said that “we must remain resolved in addressing the systemic racism and inequities Black Wisconsinites face every day ” as he released a statement Monday one year after police shot Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
“One year ago today, Jacob Blake’s life was forever changed. While we are grateful Jacob survived his injuries, we also know Jacob, his kids, and his family have and will face challenges they never imagined having to endure,” Evers said in a statement. “We also know the families and friends of Joseph Rosenbaum and Anthony Huber are undoubtedly grieving and mourning the loss of these young men this week. Kathy and I are thinking of Jacob and his loved ones, as well as the families and friends of Joseph and Anthony today, and we ask Wisconsinites to join us in extending our prayers for peace and healing.”
Blake, 29, was shot several times at point-blank range by Kenosha police on the evening of Aug. 23, 2020, which spurred protests against the police.
“This past year has been difficult, and especially for the Kenosha community as they have worked to come together to repair and rebuild,” Evers said in a statement. “Wisconsin has taken important steps to increase transparency for use of force policies and incidents, limit the use of chokeholds, and require state-managed law enforcement agencies to update their use of force policies, but this is only the beginning. We must remain resolved in addressing the systemic racism and inequities Black Wisconsinites face every day and to continuing our work toward a just, equitable, and fair state.”
