Wisconsin Sen. Tammy Baldwin called for peace in Kenosha after three nights of riots in the city following the police shooting of Jacob Blake.
Baldwin, a Democrat, condemned the violence that culminated in two deaths on Tuesday night. She said that violence was not helping to further the cause of racial justice.
“The vandalism, armed militia, gun violence, and fatal shootings of Kenosha are not advancing the cause of racial justice in the wake of the police shooting of Jacob Blake,” Baldwin wrote in a statement posted to Twitter.
“Elected officials at the state and federal level must answer the call of peaceful protests and take action to bring about the change we need,” she added.
My statement on the violence in Kenosha: pic.twitter.com/8oDFKZoxhz
— Sen. Tammy Baldwin (@SenatorBaldwin) August 26, 2020
Blake, a 29-year-old black man, was shot in the back several times at close range by a police officer after he tried to reenter his car during an arrest. The shooting took place in front of Blake’s children, according to the family. Blake’s family says he is paralyzed and remains in the hospital.
Video of the incident went viral, prompting protests in Kenosha and throughout the country. The protests turned to riots in Kenosha. where several buildings have been burnt. A shooting took place during the riots on Tuesday evening that left two dead and one injured. A suspect has been taken into custody in nearby Illinois.
Baldwin said that she supports Gov. Tony Evers’s decision to send in more National Guard members to help control the demonstrations expected on Wednesday night. She also urged protesters to listen to the words of Julia Jackson, Blake’s mother, who has condemned the violent riots while maintaining that she still has the “utmost respect” for law enforcement.
“I support Gov. Evers’ approach to providing more National Guard support for local law enforcement to help provide safety for the community and I stand with the courage, grace, and wisdom of Jacob Blake’s mother, Julia Jackson, in her call for healing and peace,” Baldwin wrote.
Baldwin recently spoke at the Democratic National Convention to endorse Joe Biden. Biden was silent during the first few days of riots, but he released a statement on Wednesday afternoon condemning the violence and urging for peace.
