Kamala Harris, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Nancy Pelosi Demand Answers In the Shooting of Jacob Blake
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On Sunday evening, Jacob Blake, a Black man, was rushed to the hospital in Kenosha, Wisconsin, after a police officer shot him seven times, the Kenosha News reports. Blake, 29, is currently in stable condition and the incident was documented in a video that has been shared online. The clip shows two officers, guns drawn, following Blake as he gets into the driver’s seat of a silver SUV. When he opens the car door, an officer grabs at Blake’s shirt and at least seven gunshots can be heard.
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After the shooting, Blake was transported to Froedtert Hospital in critical condition. A family friend told CBS News that Blake is “expected to make it.” Witnesses insist that Blake was unarmed and was attempting to settle a verbal altercation between two women before the officers arrived.
“Blake was helping to deescalate a domestic incident when police drew their weapons and tasered him,” the Blake family said through civil-rights attorney Ben Crump, who is handling the case on behalf o the family. “As he was walking away to check on his children, police fired their weapons several times into his back at point-blank range. Blake’s three sons were only a few feet away and witnessed police shoot their father.”
Politicians, including Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers, have been vocal in the wake of the shooting, acknowledging that Blake is just the latest Black man to fall victim to police brutality.
“Tonight, Jacob Blake was shot in the back multiple times, in broad daylight. While we do not have all of the details yet, what we know for certain is that he is not the first Black man or person to have been shot or injured or mercilessly killed at the hands of individuals in law enforcement in our state or our country,” he said after the shooting, according to The Cut.
And we stand against excessive use of force and immediate escalation when engaging with Black Wisconsinites.
— Governor Tony Evers (@GovEvers) August 24, 2020
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Kamala Harris, Joe Biden, Nancy Pelosi, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez echoed his sentiments and demanded an investigation into the incident.
Jacob Blake should not be fighting for his life right now.
As @JoeBiden said, there must be an immediate investigation and the officers involved should be held accountable.
Jacob, our nation is praying for you and your entire family. https://t.co/F4CSs6JnjS
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) August 24, 2020
Yesterday, Jacob Blake was shot seven times in the back by police. His kids watched from the car. Today, we woke to grieve yet again.
We need a full and transparent investigation. https://t.co/9X7l25nq8d
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) August 24, 2020
The prayers of Americans nationwide are with Jacob Blake as he fights for his life following yesterday’s outrageous shooting in Kenosha, WI. We owe it to Jacob, his children, and all Black Americans to bring an end to racial injustice and police brutality.
— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) August 24, 2020
Praying for Jacob Blake, his children, and his family.
It’s not enough to paint slogans. We need systemic change: ending qualified immunity, changing budget priorities, investing in communities harmed by overpolicing, and more.
The solutions are out there. We must act on them.
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) August 24, 2020
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According to the Washington Post, the officers involved in the shooting have been placed on administrative leave, though their identities have not been released to the public. The Wisconsin Department of Justice’s Division of Criminal Investigation is currently investigating the incident.
Anyone looking to make a donation can find more information on GoFundMe, where Blake’s family has started to cover the cost of “medical bills, legal representation, support for his children and therapy costs.” Anti-Racism Daily has published a list of contacts to hold the administration in Kenosha accountable.