Protesters in Kenosha have been arrested after staging a sit-in to demand the firing of the police officer who shot Jacob Blake Jr.
Kenosha Officer Rusten Sheskey, who is white, was not charged in the August 2020 incident that left the Black 29-year-old paralyzed from the waist down.
Sheskey shot Blake seven times while Blake was about to get into an SUV.
About 40 people gathered for the event on Sunday, several of whom locked arms and blocked the main entrance to the Public Safety Building, the Kenosha News reported.
Protesters in Kenosha have been arrested after staging a sit-in to demand the firing of the police officer who shot Jacob Blake Jr
Blake (pictured) was shot seven times in the back by a white police officer in Wisconson on August 23
Kenosha Officer Rusten Sheskey, who is white, was not charged in the shooting that left Blake paralyzed
After failing to move along, police arrested a number of the demonstrators at 10pm, including Blake's uncle, Justin Blake, Rev. Jonathan Barker, and Joe Cardinali, an executive board member at the Kenosha County Democratic Party, witnesses said.
The activists said they would not move until they could speak to Kenosha Police Deputy Chief Larsen.
The building is still boarded over from the civil unrest that followed the Blake shooting.
Earlier on Sunday, demonstrators marched around the Public Safety Building to protest Sheskey's return to work.
Earlier on Sunday, demonstrators marched around the Public Safety Building to protest Sheskey's return to work
Kenosha police announced earlier this month that the officer had returned from administrative leave
After failing to move along, police arrested a number of the demonstrators at 10pm on charges of disorderly conduct
Among those arrested were Blake's uncle, Justin Blake, Rev. Jonathan Barker, and Joe Cardinali, an executive board member at the Kenosha County Democratic Party, witnesses said
Among their other demands were an explanation for why Sheskey was issued a gun while he was being investigated, a written apology, an explanation of the policies in place that led to the shooting and a release of the investigation materials.
Kenosha police announced earlier this month that the officer had returned from administrative leave.
Police Chief Daniel Miskinis said in a release that Sheskey was found to have been acting within policy and will not be disciplined.
Tanya McLean, Executive Director of Leaders of Kenosha, said in a statement before the rally that 'safety and healing' won't happen when Sheskey is allowed to return to work 'like nothing happened.'
Among their other demands were an explanation for why Sheskey was issued a gun while he was being investigated and a written apology
Rev. Jonathan Baker is led away by cops after being arrested during the sit-in outside the Public Safety Building
Joe Cardinali, an executive board member at the Kenosha County Democratic Party, is seen during his arrest (pictured in red)
Blake's uncle Justin Blake is seen during the protests on Sunday as he spoke out against 'police terror'
Sheskey and two other Kenosha officers were trying to arrest Blake on an outstanding warrant when a pocketknife fell from his pants during a scuffle.
Blake said he picked it up before heading to a vehicle to drive away with two of his children in the back seat.
He said he was prepared to surrender once he put the knife in the vehicle.
Sheskey told investigators that he feared for his own safety so he opened fire.
The shooting happened three months after George Floyd died while being restrained by police officers in Minneapolis.
Blake last month filed a civil lawsuit accusing the officer of excessive force.
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