Wikipedia

George Floyd protests in Wisconsin

This is a list of protests held in Wisconsin related to the 2020 murder of George Floyd in neighboring Minnesota. Additional protests occurred in late August in Kenosha, Wisconsin in the aftermath of the shooting of Jacob Blake. Protests also occurred in 2020 in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin during the aftermath of the shooting of Alvin Cole.

George Floyd protests in Wisconsin
Part of George Floyd protests
Black Lives Matter protesters in Shorewood on June 6
DateMay 29 – September 1, 2020 (3 months and 3 days)
Location
Wisconsin, United States
Caused by
Map
Cities in Wisconsin in which a protest with about 100 or more participants was held (
)

Locations

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Appleton

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Over one thousand people gathered in downtown Appleton on May 30 and 31 for a peaceful protest down College Avenue to Houdini Plaza and the Appleton Police Department.[3]

Eau Claire

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Hundreds marched from Phoenix Park to Owen Park through downtown Eau Claire on May 31.[4] On June 5 another rally was held in Phoenix Park followed by a march of reportedly thousands through the streets of downtown Eau Claire.[5]

Fond du Lac

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Dozens protested in Fond du lac on May 31.[6]

Franklin

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Over two hundred protestors marched through the city and held a peaceful rally on June 11, starting at the Franklin library.[7]

Green Bay

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On the evening of May 30 and the afternoon of May 31, there were peaceful protests held in downtown Green Bay. However, on the evening of the 31st, a Marathon gas station was looted, and several shots were fired. The police began firing rubber pellets at the protesters, at which point, the crowd began throwing rocks at the police. Police dispersed the crowd with gas.[8][9] On June 7, an estimated 1,000–2,500 people showed up to march across the Walnut Street Bridge and protest police brutality after the murder of George Floyd, making it the largest protest in recent Green Bay history.[10] The crowds were so big that the intended path for the protest, walking from Leicht Memorial Park to the Green Bay Police Department, needed to be scrapped. Organizers stated that activists from groups that were not previously familiar with one another united as a form of grieving and solidarity in the hope to achieve wide-scale police reform. The protest was completely peaceful, with no arrests or incidents of looting and vandalism reported. Activists later took to City Hall looking to remove a curfew put in by Green Bay police, mayor Eric Genrich and the majority of city council members; the curfew was set to curb looting and vandalism that had occurred at times from previous protests.

Kenosha

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Main article: Kenosha unrest

Between 100 and 125 demonstrators peacefully marched through downtown Kenosha on May 31.[11] Members of the City Council supported the peaceful protests while condemning the violent ones in Milwaukee.[12] After the shooting of Jacob Blake on August 23, further protests broke out in Kenosha which resulted in 2 protesters being shot and killed.[13][14][15]

La Crosse

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On the evening of May 29 and 30, 2020, there were peaceful protests held in downtown La Crosse.[16] June 3: Nearly 700 protesters marched from Riverside Park and to City Hall.[17] Demonstrators kneeled for nine minutes and speakers talked about their own local experiences of racism.[18] In response the La Crosse Police Department launched a "transparency tab" on their website to better inform the public on how they operate.[19]

Madison

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On May 30, there was a peaceful demonstration at the State Capitol with around 1,000 attendees. As the evening progressed, it evolved into a riot with some storefronts on State Street being damaged, and a conflict with police that was met with tear gas. A neighborhood curfew was declared by Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway.[20]

On June 23, in response to the arrest of activist Devonere Johnson, who had caused a disturbance in a restaurant with a baseball bat and a bullhorn, around 300 protesters blocked traffic, caused damage to several buildings, and toppled two statues. State Senator Tim Carpenter was also attacked by protesters.[21]

Marinette

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On the early afternoon of June 3, a peaceful protest was held on Stephenson Island, which is on the state line between Wisconsin and Michigan and alongside US HWY 41. Close to 100 protestors attended.[22] Some local businesses were boarded up and closed for the day, and another business had volunteer personnel in army camouflage, armed with semi-automatic rifles standing-by. Many drove by flipping the bird and swearing at protestors but no violence erupted.[23]

Milwaukee

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On May 29, hundreds of protesters in Milwaukee blocked highways and organized a vehicle procession that traveled several miles. There were reports of looting and mild arson at a Walgreens pharmacy,[24] as well as the looting of a Boost Mobile store.[25] Several other businesses were damaged.[26] In addition, one police officer was mildly injured by gunfire.[24] Protests over the killing of Joel Acevedo by an off-duty Milwaukee police officer were prompted by the George Floyd protests.[27]

On June 2, protesters gathered at Humboldt Park and marched to the south side of Milwaukee, where they demonstrated outside City Hall and Milwaukee Police District 1. Police used tear gas on protesters and reports were made that Molotov cocktails were thrown at officers.[28] Protesters on the Hoan Bridge walked off into traffic, where protest organizer Frank Nitty was apprehended and beaten by police.[29] On June 7, members of the Milwaukee Bucks, including players, coaches, staff and ownership, participated in a rally in honor of George Floyd. Bucks star Sterling Brown led the march, where he held a nine-second moment of silence for Floyd and shared his experiences with police brutality.[30] On June 9, protesters again gathered at Humboldt Park to demonstrate against racism and police brutality.[31]

Oshkosh

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Hundreds of people protested in downtown Oshkosh on May 31.[32]

Racine

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Protests on May 31 ended with vandalism, burglaries, and police using tear gas. Protests the day after ended peacefully with over 200 protesters.[33]

Sheboygan

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Over a hundred people gathered in downtown Sheboygan on June 2.[34]

Shorewood

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Protestors at a peaceful protest held in the North Shore suburbs of Milwaukee on June 6, 2020
 
Protesters in Wausau

On June 6, 2020, thousands of people protested peacefully in a march from Shorewood to Whitefish Bay and back.[35] Hand sanitizer, masks, snacks, and bottles of water were handed out by volunteers.[35] Residents along the route showed their support by standing in their yards holding up signs.[35]

A 64-year-old white probate lawyer interrupted the protest by parking in the middle of the street and then spat on a 17-year-old black high school student.[36] The spitter was arrested and faced both "charges of battery and disorderly conduct" and "a professional misconduct complaint as a lawyer".[36] The following day, the spitter confronted protesters outside her house, and police arrived at her home to arrest her.[36] Resisting arrest, the spitter kneed one of the officers in the groin, and faced "additional charges of battery of a law enforcement officer and resisting arrest".[36]


Wausau

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On the afternoon of May 29, approximately 150 to 200 people participated in a protest near the Marathon County Courthouse in downtown Wausau.[37]

References

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  1. ^ Robertson, Nicky (May 30, 2020). "US surgeon general says "there is no easy prescription to heal our nation"". CNN. Archived from the original on June 1, 2020. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
  2. ^ a b Goldberg, Michelle (May 29, 2020). "Opinion - America Is a Tinderbox". The New York Times. Archived from the original on May 30, 2020. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
  3. ^ Brophy, Natalie. "Peaceful protest in Appleton draws more than 1,000 people after George Floyd killing". Post-Crescent Media. Archived from the original on June 4, 2020. Retrieved June 2, 2020.
  4. ^ Horne, Carly Swisher, Duncan Goldberg, Jesse (May 31, 2020). "UPDATE: George Floyd protests start in Eau Claire". www.weau.com. Archived from the original on June 1, 2020. Retrieved June 1, 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  5. ^ Rogner, Carla (June 6, 2020). "Thousands gather Friday for Black Lives Matter rally and protest". www.weau.com. Archived from the original on June 10, 2020. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  6. ^ Rafik, Doug (May 31, 2020). "Black Lives Matter protest in Fond du Lac". FDL Reporter. Retrieved July 27, 2024.
  7. ^ Hanley, Erik S. "'I only back the badge for good cops': Hundreds peacefully protest George Floyd's death in Franklin". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Archived from the original on September 29, 2020. Retrieved November 14, 2020.
  8. ^ "People march through downtown Green Bay streets in support of justice for George Floyd". FOX 11 Online. May 30, 2020. Archived from the original on June 10, 2020. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
  9. ^ "UPDATE: Green Bay Police Chief joins protesters in downtown Green Bay after addressing the crowd". www.wbay.com. May 31, 2020. Archived from the original on June 9, 2020. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
  10. ^ "'We literally made history': How thousands of Green Bay activists came together to protest George Floyd killing". greenbaypressgazette.com. June 7, 2020. Archived from the original on May 18, 2024. Retrieved June 11, 2020.
  11. ^ "About 100 attend 'peaceful protest' in Kenosha". Kenosha News. May 31, 2020. Archived from the original on June 7, 2020. Retrieved June 7, 2020.
  12. ^ "Kenosha Council members support peaceful protests, condemn nighttime riots". Kenosha News. June 1, 2020. Archived from the original on June 7, 2020. Retrieved June 7, 2020.
  13. ^ "National Guard called to Kenosha, Wis., after police shoot Black man". Los Angeles Times. August 24, 2020. Archived from the original on August 25, 2020. Retrieved August 25, 2020.
  14. ^ "Kenosha protesters, police clash again after Black man shot". AP NEWS. August 24, 2020. Archived from the original on August 27, 2020. Retrieved August 25, 2020.
  15. ^ "A father and a 26-year-old skateboarder: the protesters killed in Kenosha". the Guardian. August 27, 2020. Archived from the original on August 28, 2020. Retrieved October 10, 2020.
  16. ^ "Second night of peaceful protests held in downtown La Crosse". May 31, 2020. Archived from the original on June 8, 2020. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
  17. ^ Tribune, Olivia Herken La Crosse (June 5, 2020). "'We can fix this': La Crosse BLM protest amplifies young voices of color Wednesday night". La Crosse Tribune. Archived from the original on June 7, 2020. Retrieved June 7, 2020.
  18. ^ Solem, Rick (June 4, 2020). "Protesters of police violence demand change, and La Crosse city leaders pledge to make it". WIZM 92.3FM 1410AM. Archived from the original on June 7, 2020. Retrieved June 7, 2020.
  19. ^ Solem, Rick (June 5, 2020). "After protests, La Crosse Police, as promised, launch "transparency tab" on website". WIZM 92.3FM 1410AM. Archived from the original on June 7, 2020. Retrieved June 7, 2020.
  20. ^ "Madison mayor imposes curfew after rioting, looting Downtown". madison.com. May 31, 2020. Archived from the original on February 9, 2021. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
  21. ^ Hamer, Emily (June 24, 2020). "Protesters tear down statues, punch senator, set small fire after arrest of Black activist". Wisconsin State Journal. Archived from the original on June 24, 2020. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
  22. ^ Alexander, Jeff (June 3, 2020). "Protests held in smaller communities". www.wbay.com. Archived from the original on June 4, 2020. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
  23. ^ "Protesting on Stephenson Island – EH Extra". ehextra.com. Archived from the original on June 4, 2020. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
  24. ^ a b Glauber, Bill; Carson, Sophie; Linnane, Rory; Johnson, Annysa (May 30, 2020). "Milwaukee officer suffers minor gunshot wound as peaceful protests escalate; minor injury reported". Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. Archived from the original on May 30, 2020. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
  25. ^ Glauber, Bill (May 30, 2020). "'I look just like them': Owner of looted Milwaukee cellphone store furious about George Floyd's death and her destroyed business". Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. Archived from the original on August 7, 2020. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
  26. ^ "Milwaukee police officer shot during overnight protest, businesses damaged". WISN. May 30, 2020. Archived from the original on May 31, 2020. Retrieved May 31, 2020.
  27. ^ Spencer, Suzanne (May 29, 2020). "'Overwhelming:' Protesters unite with family of Acevedo, who died after fight with off-duty officer". Fox 6 Now. Archived from the original on June 10, 2020. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
  28. ^ "George Floyd protests turn tense in Milwaukee Tuesday". WTMJ-TV. June 2, 2020. Archived from the original on July 18, 2020. Retrieved March 25, 2021.
  29. ^ Barton, Gina; Glauber, Bill (June 3, 2020). "In six days of protests against police brutality, some are peaceful while others are reckless". Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. Archived from the original on June 20, 2021. Retrieved March 25, 2021.
  30. ^ "Demonstrators Continue To Honor Floyd's Memory On Day 10 Of Statewide Protests". Wisconsin Public Radio. June 7, 2020. Archived from the original on May 8, 2021. Retrieved March 25, 2021.
  31. ^ "Protesters march for justice in Milwaukee for 12th straight day: 'People are finally waking up'". FOX6Now.com. June 9, 2020. Archived from the original on June 9, 2020. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  32. ^ Rushin, Jerell (May 31, 2020). "Protest in Oshkosh draws hundreds amid George Floyd death, remains peaceful". Oshkosh Northwestern. Archived from the original on May 3, 2023. Retrieved May 3, 2023.
  33. ^ Lockwood, Denise (June 1, 2020). "Protests continue, but Monday afternoon they ended peacefully". Racine County Eye. Archived from the original on January 21, 2023. Retrieved January 21, 2023.
  34. ^ Piper, Matt; Klein, Gary C. (June 2, 2020). "More than 100 gather in peaceful protest through Sheboygan streets". Sheboygan Press. Archived from the original on January 21, 2023. Retrieved January 21, 2023.
  35. ^ a b c "Saturday Protest Hits Streets of Shorewood and Whitefish Bay, Woman Who Spits on Protester Arrested". June 7, 2020. Archived from the original on July 5, 2020. Retrieved July 5, 2020.
  36. ^ a b c d "Black teen Eric Lucas speaks out after being spit on by white woman during Black Lives Matter protest in Shorewood, Wisc. – The Washington Post". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on July 6, 2020. Retrieved July 5, 2020.
  37. ^ Lehmann, Emerson (May 30, 2020). "Black Lives Matter protest held in Wausau". WSAW-TV. Archived from the original on June 3, 2020. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
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