Jacob Blake was calmly walking away from Kenosha police towards an SUV when an officer opened fire - shooting him several times in the back while his three young children watched from inside the car. He is thankfully still alive, but the attack sent him to the hospital fighting for his life, and has ultimately left him paralyzed from the waist down. Unfortunately, Mr. Blake’s story is not a unique one. The violence that was perpetrated against him is in line with a system of American policing that has harassed, brutalized and murdered Black people since its inception. We will fight relentlessly to help win justice for Jacob and his family, and we will not rest until there is an end to racist policing in America.
ACLU of Wisconsin and Other Kenosha Organizations Call for Consequences for Kenosha Police Officer Rusten Sheskey For Shooting Jacob of Jacob Blake: Following the leadership of the Blake family and organizers on the ground in Kenosha, including Leaders of Kenosha, Kenosha Accountability Coalition, United As 1, United Black Men and Women, Black Underground Recycling, Education Youth, All of Us or None, Regimen Barber Collective, SAC, BLAK (Black Lives Activists of Kenosha), Humanity First Coalition, Kenosha Pride, Breaking Barriers Mentoring Inc, The People's Revolution, and ComForce, the ACLU of Wisconsin on Thursday called for the removal of Kenosha Police officer Rusten Sheskey from his position
ACLU of Wisconsin Issues Statement Following Charging Decision of Kenosha DA in Shooting of Jacob Blake: We are disappointed that, instead of holding police accountable for another example of their repeated use of excessive force against people of color, District Attorney Graveley declined to charge Officer Rusten Sheskey in the shooting of Jacob Blake. This continues the cycle of enabling police violence and evading accountability when they seriously injure and harm a Black person.
ACLU of Wisconsin Calls on Kenosha Common Council to Protect the Rights of Demonstrators In Anticipation of Charging Decision in Jacob Blake Case: Whatever charging decision is made in the coming weeks, peaceful protestors must be allowed to make their voices heard without fear of being harassed, assaulted or mistreated by the officers who are charged with protecting them. We hope that the Common Council recognizes Kenosha’s deeply flawed response to past protests and works to develop an approach that respects people’s constitutional rights while also prioritizing de-escalation and equitable policing
Demand the Firing of Kenosha Police Chief Daniel Miskinis: It is unacceptable that the police chief, who has fraternized with white surpemacists and violated the rights of protesters, still has a job. The Police and Fire Commission, which has the authority to fire him, is meeting this Tuesday at 9 am. Please join ACLU supporters and Black Lives Matter Activists in Kenosha in sending an email NOW to the police commission before the Tuesday meeting to demand that he be fired.
ACLU of Wisconsin Calls for Dismissal of Charges for Curfew Violations, Asks for Investigation Into Excessive Use of Force by Law Enforcement: The ACLU of Wisconsin sent a letter Tuesday to Attorney General Josh Kaul, highlighting the absence of a legal basis for the curfew in Kenosha, and asking Kaul to investigate law enforcement’s repeated use of force against protesters.
The Law Enforcement Violence Trump Won’t Talk About: In this blog, Abdullah Hassan talks about the ways in which law enforcement officers have used sharpshooters to maim people, swept protesters away in unmarked cars, and brutally attacked journalists, legal observers, and medics during recent unrest in Kenosha and Portland.
ACLU of Wisconsin Responds To President Trump's Remarks in Kenosha: In his speech on Tuesday in Kenosha, President Trump dismissed the existence of systemic police violence and structural racism. In doing so, he ignored the pleas of thousands of Americans who have taken to the streets in recent months to fight for Black lives, and continued to ignore the reality that generations of Black and Brown people have been harmed by police.
Call Now: Demand the Resignation of Kenosha Police Officials Call Kenosha Police and Fire Commission to demand the resignation of Kenosha Police Chief Miskinis, and call Governor Tony Evers to demand the removal of Kenosha County Sheriff David Beth
Governor and Attorney General Should Investigate Potential Crimes, Civil Rights Violations Committed by Law Enforcement During Protests The American Civil Liberties Union of Wisconsin today urged Governor Tony Evers and Attorney General Joshua Kaul to investigate—or appoint a special counsel to investigate—and, if warranted, prosecute any crimes and civil rights violations committed against protesters, journalists, medics, legal observers, and others by federal, state, or local law enforcement.
ACLU Calls for Immediate Resignation of Kenosha Police Chief and Kenosha County Sheriff for Failed Response to Attempted Murder of Jacob Blake Following the lead of organizers on the ground, today the American Civil Liberties Union of Wisconsin and National ACLU called for the immediate resignation of Kenosha Police Chief Daniel Miskinis and Kenosha County Sheriff David Beth.
ACLU of Wisconsin Issues Statement After Fatalities in Kenosha No one should lose their lives — whether at the hands of law enforcement or armed militias — for expressing their outrage, disappointment, exhaustion, or vision for a better future.
ACLU of Wisconsin Issues Statement on Deployment of the National Gaurd to Kenosha Based on what we’ve witnessed in protests across the country, we know that militarized policing often only serves to exacerbate tensions, and opens the door to more police misconduct and violence. The response to protests over police brutality cannot be even more brutality.
ACLU of Wisconsin Issues Statement After Shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha Let’s not mince words: The police shooting that occurred in Kenosha Sunday evening looks like attempted murder. This cruel, avoidable, and gruesome shooting once again demonstrates why the task of transforming American policing is so urgent. Reform is not enough.
Wisconsin's Record of Police Brutality Against People Of Color After the video of George Floyd’s murder on May 25 went viral, the world changed. It was never a secret that Black and Brown people were disproportionately targeted by police, but this instance in particular was the catalyst to cause people to rise up and say: “Enough is enough. This has to change.”
Know Your Rights: Protesters’ Rights The First Amendment protects your right to assemble and express your views through protest. However, police and other government officials are allowed to place certain narrow restrictions on the exercise of speech rights. Make sure you’re prepared by brushing up on your rights before heading out into the streets.