WI AFL-CIO Statement on Kenosha Police Shooting

Stephanie Bloomingdale, President of the Wisconsin AFL-CIO, released the following statement:

Yesterday, we were shocked by yet another police shooting of an unarmed Black man in Kenosha. Video shows a Kenosha police officer shooting Jacob Blake multiple times in the back at point blank range as he tried to get into his car. The horror was magnified by the presence of Mr. Blake’s young children in the vehicle. This is a shameful day for Kenosha, Wisconsin and our nation. 

The Wisconsin AFL-CIO extends deepest sympathy to Mr. Blake and his family and hope for his quick and complete recovery. Black Lives Matter. The time is long overdue to address systemic racism and police violence against communities of color. 

In this unprecedented time in America, we must not be satisfied with platitudes and cosmetic change. We must take a hard look at the factors that have led to Black people unjustly facing violence at the hands of those charged with protecting us and take meaningful steps to address them.