Kenosha unrest facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Kenosha unrest |
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|---|---|
| Part of 2020–2021 United States racial unrest and reactions to the shooting of Jacob Blake |
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| Date | August 23 – September 1, 2020 |
| Location |
Kenosha, Wisconsin
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| Caused by | Shooting of Jacob Blake |
| Methods |
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| Status | State of emergency August 25 – September 2, 2020; and January 4 – 11, 2021 |
| Aftermath | |
| Death(s) | Two protesters shot and killed |
| Injuries |
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| Charged |
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In August 2020, after a police shooting involving Jacob Blake, many people in Kenosha, Wisconsin, and other parts of the United States started protesting. These events were part of bigger movements across the country about racial justice and the Black Lives Matter movement. Besides street protests and marches, the shooting also led to some athletes boycotting their games.
Contents
What Happened in Kenosha?
Why Did Protests Start?
The protests in Kenosha began on August 23, 2020. They were a reaction to the police shooting of Jacob Blake. People were upset and wanted to show their feelings about the incident and broader issues of racial fairness.
How Did the Protests Unfold?
During the day, many protests were peaceful. People marched and held signs to share their message. However, at night, some of these gatherings turned into clashes with law enforcement. There were also instances of rioting and buildings being set on fire.
To help manage the situation, the government declared a special alert called a state of emergency on August 23. The next day, the National Guard, a group of citizen soldiers, was called in to help keep peace and order.
Who Else Was Involved?
As the protests continued, other groups arrived in Kenosha. Some armed people, who were not police officers, came to the city. They stated they wanted to protect businesses. This led to more tense situations and sometimes more confrontations.
The Shooting Incident
Sadly, during these events, two protesters were shot and killed, and another was hurt. This happened on August 25, 2020. A 17-year-old named Kyle Rittenhouse was involved in these shootings. Later, in court in November 2021, he said he acted in self-defense. A jury decided he was not guilty of the charges against him.
Aftermath and Impact
The events in Kenosha lasted for several days, ending around September 1, 2020. The protests and unrest caused a lot of damage to property in the city. Estimates suggest millions of dollars in damage to businesses and city-owned buildings. The events also brought national attention to Kenosha and the ongoing discussions about racial justice in the United States.
