[Jacob Blake]
Rep. Moore: “I am tired of condemning these shootings which is why I joined my colleagues in the House in passing the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act (H.R. 7120).”
Photo: Twitter
Civil rights attorney Ben Crump has been retained by the family of Jacob Blake who was the victim of an attempted murder by a police officer on Sunday in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
Crump also represents the families of Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and George Floyd.
Blake survived but has been paralyzed by the way down from the seven shots he received to this back as he was entering a car where his three sons were sitting.
Crump released the following statement:
“We all watched the horrific video of Jacob Blake being shot in the back several times by Kenosha police. Even worse, his three sons witnessed their father collapse after being riddled with bullets. Their irresponsible, reckless, and inhumane actions nearly cost the life of a man who was simply trying to do the right thing by intervening in a domestic incident. It’s a miracle he’s still alive.
“We will seek justice for Jacob Blake and his for his family as we demand answers from the Kenosha Police Department. How many more of these tragic ‘while Black’ tragedies will it take until the racial profiling and undervaluing of Black lives by the police finally stops?”
The killing has incensed many around the country.
Wisconsin Congresswoman Gwen Moore yesterday released this statement decrying the police shooting of Blake:
“What happened yesterday to Jacob Blake is an all too frequent experience for Black people in America.
“Jacob was shot in the back multiple times in front of his children. Trauma was inflicted on not only Jacob, but on his innocent children. My heart aches for him and his family. I am praying that he makes a full recovery from his serious injuries.
“We must rid our communities and our systems of the racism that results in biased policing practices, creating devastating tragedies for Black men and women. We all must treat racism as the public health emergency that it is and take appropriate action to keep other families and communities from being traumatized by these reckless shootings.
“The Wisconsin Department of Justice must conduct a thorough investigation as part of the process of ensuring that police officers are held accountable when excessive, violent force is used.
“I am tired of condemning these shootings which is why I joined my colleagues in the House in passing the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act (H.R. 7120) to begin making the steps necessary to build greater transparency, accountability and fairness in policing. I am calling for action from the Senate Majority Leader to bring this bill to the Senate floor. I am also calling on the majority in the Wisconsin State Legislature to take up the police reform measures laid out by our Governor and Lieutenant Governor earlier this year.
“The longer these bills languish the longer justice is delayed and denied. Our communities are calling for change right now, and they cannot and should not wait any longer for meaningful action.’’
