Family of Jacob Blake, who was shot by the police
Photo: STEPHEN MATUREN / REUTERSUS President Donald Trump will travel to the city of Kenosha, which is rocked by protests after a black man was shot in the back during a police operation. Trump will meet with security authorities there on Tuesday and look at the damage after the riots of the past few days, a White House spokesman said on Saturday.
A key message from Trump in the current presidential election campaign is the promise of "law and order". That was also the leitmotif of his previous statements on the events in Kenosha.
Shots in the back
In the city in the US state of Wisconsin a week ago a police officer shot 29-year-old Jacob Blake seven times in the back. A video of the incident shows Blake approaching a car in front of it, while two police officers follow him with guns drawn. One of them is pointed at his back. When Blake opens the driver's door and leans in, one of the cops grabs his shirt and shoots.
The video sparked outrage and protests in the United States. In the car were Blake's children, ages three, five, and eight. On Saturday there was a protest march in Kenosha with hundreds of participants.
Protests in Kenosha (08/24/2020)
Photo: STEPHEN MATUREN / REUTERSDemocratic presidential candidate Joe Biden and Vice-President Kamala Harris had spoken to the Blakes family on the phone in the first few days after the police operation. He had not heard from Trump, said father Jacob Blake Sr. to CNN on Friday. And he doesn't care anymore: "It's too late. He should have called four days ago."
"Not a good sight"
Trump had commented on Friday night for the first time not only on the riots, but also on the shooting at Blake: "We are investigating this very carefully. It was not a good sight." Kenosha's Mayor John Antaramian said: "I think the president should stay out of it."
Biden, who was Vice President Barack Obama for eight years, is popular with black Americans. Trump stated in his nomination speech at the Republican Convention on Thursday: "I say with great humility that I have done more for the African American community than any president since Abraham Lincoln."
Burning building in Kenosha (08/24/2020)
Photo: STEPHEN MATUREN / REUTERSTrump is trying to associate the Democrats with violence during protests and stir up fears among potential voters. The riots are a foretaste of the fact that nobody will be safe in "Biden's America", said Trump.
The exact course of the police operation against Blake is still unclear. Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul, who is investigating the case, has since announced that a knife had been found in the vehicle on the driver's side floor.
However, when asked by reporters, he did not provide any information on whether Blake had a knife in his hand. It was also said that the police tried twice to stun Blake with a stun gun, but it didn't work.
Blake paralyzed from the waist down
The Kenosha Police Union, which is not involved in the investigation, said over the weekend that at the time of the police operation, Blake had a warrant on charges of sexual assault, which police officers were aware of. They also saw a knife in his hand and there was a physical altercation between Blake and the police officers.
Blake's lawyers told CNN that these allegations were "exaggerated" and were intended to justify the use of excessive force against Blake.
The complaint was the reason that Blake, paralyzed from the waist down after the shooting, was tied to the hospital bed with an ankle cuff. After criticism from the family, this was canceled.
Trump had tightened demands to bring order to Kenosha quickly after two people were killed and one injured on the third night of the protests. A 17-year-old was arrested as a shooter in the neighboring state of Illinois. He was traveling with other armed civilians who claimed to be trying to protect property from looting.
His shots at two people were recorded on video by eyewitnesses. He has been charged with murder and attempted murder, among other charges. His lawyer said over the weekend that it was self-defense.
On his social media profiles found by US media, the 17-year-old appeared as a fan of the police and Trump supporter.
One dead in Portland
A fatal incident also occurred in Portland during protests against racism and police violence. On late Saturday evening there were violent clashes between opposing groups in the city center, the police said on Twitter. One person was shot in the chest. According to rescue workers, the victim died. Further details were initially not known.
The police said they had arrested several people. It will be determined because of a homicide. In Portland there have been protests against racism and police violence for months, as well as counter-demonstrations, some of which have turned into violence.
Icon: The mirror
