Wisconsin Moms Demand Action, Students Demand Action Statement on Police Shooting in Kenosha

The Wisconsin chapters of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, the grassroots networks of Everytown for Gun Safety, today released the following statement following reports that Kenosha police shot Jacob Blake, a Black man, in the back several times as he was getting into a car. Blake’s family stated that his three children were in the car at the time of the shooting. According to the Milwaukee Sentinel Journal, Blake is currently in “serious condition.”

“Our thoughts are with Jacob and his family as he fights for his life after he was shot in the back several times,” said Jenevia Blanks, volunteer with the Wisconsin chapter of Moms Demand Action. “Law enforcement officers take a pledge to protect and serve and we will fight for justice, a transparent and thorough investigation, and reforms to prevent future police shootings.”

Research shows that meaningful use of force policies encourage de-escalation, utilize early intervention systems, and ensure that officers who act in a manner that is criminally negligent can be held accountable. Use of force policies can ensure that laws help advance safety.

Black people in the United States are far more likely to be shot and killed by law enforcement than their white counterparts, and data from Mapping Police Violence shows that most people killed by police are killed with guns. Mapping Police Violence shows that 109 people have been shot and killed by police between 2013 and 2019 in Wisconsin and that 99% of killings by the police from 2013-2019 did not result in officers being charged with a crime. Black Americans are shot and killed by police at nearly three times the rate of white Americans.