Gov. Evers Calls up National Guardsmen to Kenosha County Riots: Emergency Federal $$$$$ granted to hire police officers and prosecutors
UPDATE:
Attorney General Barr Joins President Trump in Announcing $41 Million in Emergency Funding to Address the Public Safety Crisis in Wisconsin
Attorney General William P. Barr joined President Trump today in a visit to Kenosha, Wisconsin, where the President announced $41 million in grant awards to the state of Wisconsin and local jurisdictions within the state to address a surge in community violence and ongoing civil unrest. Awards will support community-based crime-fighting initiatives, local victim service programs, and the hiring and training of law enforcement officers and prosecutors.
“Thanks to the efforts of federal law enforcement and the National Guard, working closely with our state and local partners, the streets of Kenosha have been restored from violent agitators who have abused their First Amendment rights to frighten citizens and fan the flames of disorder,” said Attorney General Barr. “As President Trump made abundantly clear today, this lawless behavior will not be allowed to stand and the federal government will provide the necessary resources to help state and local police officers who have worked hard to maintain peace and keep violence at bay. Today’s grant money will help to bolster community-based crime-fighting initiatives and provide much needed support to victims affected by the recent violence.”
President Trump and Attorney General Barr toured the city, meeting with local officials and community members to express their concern for those affected by the unrest. The President issued a stern warning to lawbreakers, saying that there would be no tolerance for violence and anarchy in this or any other city.
The grants announced today, from the Department’s Office of Justice Programs and Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, will support proven violence reduction efforts like Project Safe Neighborhoods, which enables federal, state and local agencies to coordinate enforcement activities in collaboration with community organizations. Grants will also help to hire police officers and prosecutors while allowing them to focus resources on the extraordinary public safety challenges their communities are facing. Funds will also support local organizations that provide services and support to victims affected by the recent violence and unrest.
“The ability to exercise First Amendment rights is a critically important part of our democracy and the pursuit of justice. But there remains a line between peaceful assembly and what we saw last night that put individuals, families, and businesses in danger,” All Quotes Gov Evers
“We are assessing the damage to state property and will be increasing the presence of the Wisconsin National Guard to ensure individuals can exercise their right safely, protect state buildings and critical infrastructure, and support first responders and fire fighters.
“But the drumbeat of encouraging the violent protestors who went out of control without the governor or the thugs knowing all the facts, goes on:
“As our state reels from another attack against a Black man, as communities grieve and exercise their first amendment rights to demand justice, and as Jacob Blake fights for his life— we are reminded that racism is a public health crisis. There is no time to waste.
“Tonight, Jacob Blake was shot in the back multiple times, in broad daylight, in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Kathy and I join his family, friends, and neighbors in hoping earnestly that he will not succumb to his injuries.
“We must rise to this movement and this moment and meet it with our empathy, our humanity, and a fierce commitment to disrupt the cycle of systemic racism and bias that devastates Black families and communities. ….al quotes Gov. Evers