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Jacob Blake: Kenosha police shooting sparks nationwide protests

Posted at 7:28 AM, Aug 25, 2020
and last updated 2020-08-25 08:51:04-04

Wisconsin is once again in the national spotlight following the police shooting of Jacob Blake.

Protests happened across the country Monday night, including in Portland, San Diego, New York, Minneapolis, and Denver.

Police declared a riot in Portland after fires were set outside of the offices of the police association. In San Diego, at least three protesters were arrested.

Locally, anger over Blake's shooting spilled into the streets of Kenosha for a second night Monday. Police again fired tear gas at hundreds of protesters who defied a curfew, threw bottles and shot fireworks at law enforcement guarding the courthouse.

Wisconsin Democratic Gov. Tony Evers activated 125 members of the National Guard to assist local law enforcement Monday. Police fired the tear gas about 30 minutes after an 8 p.m. curfew took effect, but many protesters remained out hours later.

Blake was shot by Kenosha police just after 5 p.m. Sunday. Officers were responding to the area near 40th and 28th for a reported "domestic incident."

Businesses looted, set on fire overnight in Kenosha following police shooting of Jacob Blake

Officers did not say what led up to the shooting, but video shot by a neighbor shows Blake walking to an SUV and attempting to enter it moments before an officer grabs him by the shirt and shoots him.

The Wisconsin Department of Justice's Division of Criminal Investigation is now investigating the incident.

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