Americas
Fresh protests erupt in US after Wisconsin police shoot 29 y.o black man
A video gone viral online shows Blake being shot in the back as he was about to get into a car.
Kenosha: Widespread protests on Monday witnessed across Wisconsin the US following the police shot at an African American. The police said they fired several rounds at the man in a domestic incident. The man was identified as Jacob Blake, who was admitted to an ICU, said his family members.
A video gone viral online shows Blake being shot in the back as he was about to get into a car in Kenosha, said a BBC report.
WARNING: this video is extremely graphic.
— Julián Castro (@JulianCastro) August 24, 2020
Police in Kenosha, Wisconsin appear to shoot a man seven times in the back at point blank range after he ignores commands. We’re no other non-lethal methods considered, @KenoshaPolice?
pic.twitter.com/dO4VimGCky
Curfew was clamped after riots erupted across the US state. Protestors raised slogans such as "We won't back down" as they went on a rampage torching vehicles.
According to the BBC, the police asked round-the-clock businesses to shut operations in the backdrop of a number of calls reporting armed robberies and shootings. Cops burst tear gas shells to drive away hundreds of protesters defying the county-wide curfew.
Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers condemned the incident.
"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 in a statement.
"I have said all along that although we must offer our empathy, equally important is our action. In the coming days, we will demand just that of elected officials in our state who have failed to recognise the racism in our state and our country for far too long," the statement added.
A protest is happening now after a domestic incident turned into an officer-involved shooting in #Kenosha at 40th St. & 28th Ave.
— Kim Shine (@KimShineCBS58) August 24, 2020
Police confirm one person is in serious condition.
People on scene say the apparent victim is a man, and father. @CBS58 pic.twitter.com/jsg2ANSD28
Blake was reported to be in a stable condition, said his family and friends on social media. Tensions have been rising across the US over racism and police brutality against the black people. African-American George Floyd was shot dead earlier this year.
According to the police, they provided "immediate aid" to Blake. He was shifted to a hospital in Milwaukee following serious injuries. The police did not provide details about the shooting. The Wisconsin Department of Justice was seized with the matter. The cops involved in the incident were sent on leave. Over 18,000 people signed a petition on change.org demanding slapping charges against the officers.
