The flames of the grill rippled and flared as food prepared for the Blake family community gathering sizzled on the metal grates while the Blake family hoped they could bring people together, talk and find common ground.
“There is plenty of food for everyone,” said Justin Blake, uncle of Jacob Blake at a community gathering and press conference held Sept. 1.
Blake called for the acknowledgement of systemic racism and cited his nephew as a living example of the challenge minorities face.
“…lil’ Jake is everybody’s lil’ Jake, conversations that African American families have to have before their loved ones walk out the door tells you it is not a rogue cop but systemic racism,” said Blake.
President Donald Trump visited the City of Kenosha, but his arrival was viewed by Rev. Jesse Jackson as a malicious ploy for attention to rile up his supporters rather than genuine concern for the community.
“He [President Trump] took the justice out of the community of the shooting, giving inspiration to the militia,” said Jackson. “The militia gains strength from his words. Which is of no consolation to the two young men who got killed.”
With the presence of the President looming over Kenosha, and the worry it may enflame violence, Blake and Jackson urged everyone to come together and remain peaceful.
“To survive the power, we must learn to live together,” said Jackson.
After the speeches, the community gathered to enjoy some of the food, music and bouncy houses. COVID-19 testing was made available and there was a stand for voter registration.
Across town, a Black Lives Matter protest gathered in protest of a Trump rally. The two groups chanted back and forth, some refused conversation while others engaged in dialogue like Lamar Withfield. Protestors chanted across a gate from the National Guard while Trump supporters with pistols were yelling at the gathering to disperse.
Withfield approached one of the armed men and expressed they were using intimidation to make their point and it was not productive. Instead, he said there should be a discussion about their beliefs. The armed supporter expressed he did not know where he was supposed to stand with the current political climate.
“So stand in the middle with me and just become a human being,” said Withfield. “There is no sides picking when you are with us [Black Lives Matter], we are here because we are tired of what’s happening in this country, were here because we want to see it move in a positive direction and we are here because we feel like us being here can make a difference.”