Kenosha protests: Blake family leads 'Justice for Jacob' march, rally

Thousands join march to demand justice for Jacob Blake

ByJesse Kirsch WLS logo
Sunday, August 30, 2020
Blake family leads 'Justice for Jacob' march, rally
Jacob Blake's father told the crowd in Kenosha that it's his job to stand up for his son.

KENOSHA, Wis. (WLS) -- Family members of Jacob Blake, a Black man who was shot by police in Kenosha, Wisconsin held a "Justice for Jacob" march and rally Saturday afternoon.

The peaceful demonstration was joined by Wisconsin Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, Congresswoman Gwen Moore, and a host of activists and supporters.

WATCH: Jacob Blake's handcuffs removed from hospital bed, lawyer says

Handcuffs have been removed from Jacob Blake's hospital bed and a warrant for his arrest has been vacated, his laywer said.

"We are clinched together," said Jacob Blake Sr. "We stand here together. No justice. No peace. No justice. No peace."

Jacob Blake's father told the crowd in Kenosha that it's his job to stand up for his son.

"What gave them the right to attempt a murder on my child? What gave them the right to think that my son was an animal? What gave them the right to take something that was not theirs? I'm tired of this," Blake Sr. said.

"I really feel sorry for families that have to go through this type of trauma," said Dr. LaShawn Littrice, a Flossmoor resident. "Think about it. If it wasn't for a camera that we saw, would anybody ever even know about this or would they even believe what happened?"

Thousands of people marched through the streets of Kenosha demanding justice for Jacob Blake Saturday.

People have been on the streets protesting since Blake was shot by a Kenosha police officer on Sunday. Blake's family says he's paralyzed from the waist down.

WATCH: Jacob Blake shot by police in front of his 3 sons, family says

James Blake, 29, was shot multiple times by Kenosha police as he leaned into his SUV with his young children inside.

"There was no excuse to shoot Jacob Blake in the back seven times," said Tio Hardiman, executive director of Violence Interrupters. "No excuse at all."

"He is not Ahmaud Arbery, Philando Castile, Breonna Taylor. He is going to be here to be able to share his experience," Kenosha resident Tyrone Payton said.

"Until you put on this brown suit, you will never understand the fear of the bubble gum lights," Blake Sr. said.

Blake's father said he wants to put an end to police violence in Kenosha and the country.

"We are going to the top y'all," Blake Sr. said. "We are going to make legislation happen because that's the only thing they recognize. One person, one vote."

Blake's father is encouraging people to continue protesting peacefully, and said he does not want people to tear down the city. A curfew remains in place.

WATCH: Kenosha braces for more protests this weekend

While the size of the marching movement in Kenosha dwindled Friday night, their determination was relentless.