Trump and the Black Man Who Was Shot 7 Times in front of 3 Children

Only three months after demonstrations shook the country protesting the death of George Floyd, who died when a police officer placed his knee on his neck, there was another shocking incident in which an unarmed Black man was in critical condition after being shot in the back seven times by a police officer. The video of this tragedy leaves one speechless.

In Kenosha, Wisconsin, on Aug. 23, two police officers began shooting indiscriminately as Jacob Blake, a 29-year-old Black man, attempted to get into his car, where his 3-year-old, 5-year-old, and 8-year-old sons watched as their father fell after being shot. Blake’s attorney said that Blake was shot while trying to break up a fight between other neighborhood residents. Although thankfully, Blake’s condition is no longer life threatening, the cruel shooting shattered his spine and the lower half of his body is paralyzed.

Today, furious citizens have taken to the streets for the third straight day to protest the brutal police violence. As the protests intensify, protesters are clashing with police, who are using tear gas and rubber bullet. One person was shot and killed on the morning of Aug. 26. It is regrettable that the protests have escalated despite pleas from Blake’s family, who support peaceful protest. Demonstrations are increasing in major U.S. cities like New York, Washington, Los Angeles and Portland, and players in the National Basketball Association are discussing a game boycott in protest. The fact that these savage, racially motivated acts of police violence have continued despite the Black Lives Matter movement protests around the country since Floyd was killed on May 25 is hard to understand.

But President Donald Trump’s attitude is even more terrible. After staying silent for days after the incident, President Trump tweeted on Aug. 25 that the “Governor should call in the National Guard in Wisconsin … End problem FAST!”* There was no consolation for the victim or any acknowledgement of police violence. It is apparent that Trump puts his reelection ahead of human and civil rights as part of a political calculation to present himself as the guardian of law and order for his white supporter base. Donald Trump Jr. retweeted a post that alleged that “Jacob Blake … has a history of assaulting police” and defended the police. At the Republican National Convention in June, a white couple that pointed guns at anti-racism protesters and who were charged in connection with the incident were invited to speak. The reality of an America that makes no effort to solve the problems of racism and police brutality and uses them as political tools is truly tragic.

*Editor’s Note: This quotation, accurately translated, could not be verified.