By Elly Herrick, News Editor, Photographer, Podcaster
On Jan 4, businesses prepared for the worst and boarded up their establishments in anticipation of the Kenosha County district attorney’s decision whether to criminally prosecute Kenosha police officer Rusten Sheskey, who shot Jacob Blake seven times on Aug. 23 when responding to a domestic disturbance call. Blake is now paralyzed from the waist down.
Fences were set up around the courthouse and stone barricades were placed around downtown. Police and the National Guard also arrived, causing Harborside Academy to shut down. Residents erected boards to protect windows and doors, with some panels displaying colorful messages of peace and love. After sunset, small peaceful protests broke out demanding justice.
On Jan. 5, Kenosha County’s district attorney Michael Graveley announced that the police officers involved in the Blake shooting, including Sheskey, would not face criminal charges. That day, around 60 peaceful protesters came downtown and faced hordes of National Guard and Police to plea for and demand justice. There were no reports of violence or vandalism.
Graveley said several times during his announcement that Blake had a knife. and argued if the case went to court, Sheskey would have a strong claim that the shooting was done in self defense. Family and supporters of Blake argued Blake was walking away from police at the time of the shooting, with his back to officers.
