As the father of six Black boys, it isn't lost on Blake Jr. that his sons may encounter the police one day. Witnessing their father's shooting has heavily influenced their view of law enforcement.
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How 3 minutes ripped apart Jacob Blake's life & rekindled his family's activism
Jacob Blake Jr. is more than just a name to chant. He's a father to six sons and a descendant of a line of activists, preachers, and educated professionals. Blake Jr.'s family has dealt with his shooting in different ways, trying to support him, push for justice, and live up to the legacy of their forebears. "We weren't just fighting for Little Jake. We were fighting for all the Little Jakes around the nation," his uncle Justin Blake told Insider.
What happened on August 23, 2020
Blake Jr.'s shooting reignited national protests against police brutality and racism in August of 2020. Witnesses said Blake Jr. was trying to break up a fight between two women when police arrived.
The Blake Family
"We'll go see the Senate 'til we're seen, 'til we're heard," Blake's father, Jacob Blake Sr., told CNN.
"And all I remember at that point was kind of leaning back, looking at my boys. I said, 'Daddy love you, no matter what,' and I thought it was going to be the last thing I say to them."
Response from Kenosha residents
"Unarmed Black man gets shot seven times in the back. [Kyle Rittenhouse] with a long gun gets to shoot people and then go home and sleep in his bed and then get arrested the next day," Cummings told Insider.
During nights of civil unrest, parts of the city burned as armed citizens attempted to protect their properties from being destroyed.
Kyle Rittenhouse & Officer Sheskey
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