Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers’ first comments since the death of George Floyd focus on race and a new law for police use-of-force.
The governor released a four minute video on YouTube yesterday where he said people who look like him need to realize they are part of the system that needs to be dismantled. The governor also asked lawmakers to pass a new law that would allow police officers to use any kind of force only as a last resort. The governor didn’t say anything about the protests that have turned into riots in Madison and Milwaukee. He was also silent about using the National Guard to restore order.
Around the meeting table in the Capital last night, city leaders in Madison are refusing to extend the city’s state of emergency. The city council last night deadlocked on a request to extend the order to deal with rioters and looters who have taken to the streets since Saturday.
Madison Police Chief Vic Wahl told the council his officers are having a hard time separating peaceful protesters from the people who smash windows and steal things.
Alderman Shiva Bidar said he hears the pain of downtown business owners who’ve been vandalized, but said he hears a lot of other pain as well.
