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Following his shooting at the hands of Kenosha police, Jacob Blake is reportedly paralyzed. Blake was shot in the back seven times by police on Sunday while trying to get into his vehicle. Police had responded to a domestic disturbance call in his neighborhood. There, Blake had been trying to get two women to break up a fight they were having. After police arrived, Blake tried to enter his vehicle, only for police to grab his shirt and then shoot him numerous times in the back.
Blake’s children were in the back seat of the car when their father was shot. He was rushed to the hospital, where he was initially in critical condition. Now, reports are holding that he is unable to move his legs.
Public outcry over Blake’s shooting in Kenosha was swift. Protests broke out Sunday evening in Wisconsin, once again condemning police for their excessive use of force. Throughout the summer, protests against police brutality have dominated headlines and called for sweeping change. Some surmise that the protests have been well-attended due to the number of people out of work from the pandemic. Meanwhile, some are simply stuck at home, out of work and waiting on disinfectant wipes to be delivered.
In Kenosha, the protests turned violent during the evening. Fires were set in some areas, and the protesters openly clashed with police. The community’s frustration with the people who are meant to protect and serve them has been boiling over. The National Guard was activated in the region to help keep the peace. In general, protesters seem to be more at ease with National Guard members than with police.
Recent events in the US have brought the “Defund the Police” movement to the forefront of the national conversation. This movement calls for police departments to be scaled down, and for their funding to be used for community programs. Advocates claim that social workers and outreach programs are more likely to help reduce crime than more policing.
Advocates of the “Defund” movement also note that there is a place for armed police patrols. However, they feel that there is too much focus on this method of crime reduction, and that overworked police are the reason these needless shootings happen. In Blake’s case, for instance, it is unlikely that armed police needed to respond to a domestic disturbance call.
