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Protesters chant outside Menomonee Falls Trustee's home after village board votes not to censure

Posted at 5:36 AM, Jun 17, 2020
and last updated 2020-06-17 06:36:09-04

MENOMONEE FALLS — Demonstrators took to the streets of Menomonee Falls after the village board voted not to censure a trustee for comment some viewed as racist. They marched to Trustee Steve Taggart’s home chanting and shouting.

Protest organizers say they had already planned to march in the village for the Black Lives Matter Movement. However, others say they specifically showed up to protest a decision made by the village board last night.

Last night, the Menomonee Falls Village Board voted not to censure Taggart was over his comment on social media. On a closed Facebook group two weeks ago, someone asked why they were hearing gunshots in the village.

Taggart commented: “Police Firing Range - practicing for Saturday”

That was the same day high school students had planned a racial equity march at the middle school.

“If you have the gall to say something about that and it’s about kids so I don’t know. It’s at a point of disgust. It’s sad we have people in office who can say things like that,” said protester Mariah Smith. “To me, it’s clear that obviously what we are doing we need to keep going.”

Last night, the village board voted not to censure Taggart for those comments.

Resident Michaela Reimert says she was upset about the vote, so when she saw the protest come through her neighborhood she joined in from her lawn.

“I was supporting them being here. I was not happy with the final outcome of the board meeting. And I will continue to support my humankind,” said Reimert.

Others did not know about the decision but still wanted to come out and watch the protest.

“I’m delighted they came to my neighborhood. Education is the best,” said Ruth Ann Petroff.

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