(PHILADELPHIA, PA, 8/24/2020) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) today called for “immediate action against any and all officers who violated the law” during a police encounter Sunday in Kenosha, Wis., that ended when an officer shot an unarmed African-American man numerous times in the back in front of his young children.
That shooting, captured on cellphone video, shows Jacob Blake walking around the front of his SUV to his driver-side door as officers follow him with their guns pointed at him. As Blake opens the door and attempts to enter the car, an officer grabs him from behind and opens fire while Blake has his back turned. Seven shots were fired. Blake was hospitalized in serious condition. Three officers were placed on administrative leave.
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers issued a statement identifying Blake as the victim and condemning the shooting. Evers said in part: “While we do not have all of the details yet, what we know for certain is that he is not the first Black man or person to have been shot or injured or mercilessly killed at the hands of individuals in law enforcement in our state or our country.”
SEE: Protests Erupt After Wisconsin Police Shoot Black Man in Back
In a statement, CAIR-Philadelphia Civil Rights Attorney Timothy Welbeck, Esq., said:
“Enough is enough. The fact that these horrific and unnecessary shootings continue to occur serves as further proof that we must quickly and radically reform the way that law enforcement agencies operate, especially in communities of color.
“While we pray for complete healing of Jacob Blake, we demand swift justice for the officers involved in this tragic incident, and call for authorities to take immediate action against any and all officers who violated the law by confronting and then shooting Jacob Blake after he reportedly attempted to break up a fight.”
CAIR-Philadelphia and the American Muslim community are standing in solidarity with all those challenging anti-Black racism, Islamophobia, anti-Semitism, and white supremacy.
CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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CONTACT: CAIR-Philadelphia Civil Rights Attorney Timothy Welbeck, Esq., twelbeck@cair.com; CAIR-Philadelphia Executive Director Jacob Bender, jbender@cair.com
