Evers authorizes 500 more National Guard members to support Kenosha County, curfew to remain through weekend

Kyle Brown/KSTP
Police stand near a garbage truck ablaze during protests, Monday, Aug. 24, 2020, in Kenosha, Wis., sparked by the shooting of Jacob Blake by a Kenosha Police officer a day earlier.[Morry Gash/Associated Press]

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers has authorized more Wisconsin National Guard troops after to try to help calm the civil unrest in Kenosha following Jacob Blake’s shooting by police.

Kenosha County Board Chairman John O’Day and Vice Chairwoman Monica Yuhas pleaded for reinforcements during the county’s state of emergency, asking Evers to send in 1,500 National Guard troops to calm the civil unrest. Wednesday, Evers authorized an additional 500 members to support local law enforcement, bringing the total force to 750. It comes after Evers doubled the number of National Guard troops Tuesday night from 125 to 250.

"Our county is under attack," Yuhas wrote. "Our businesses are under attack. Our homes are under attack. Our local law enforcement agencies need additional support to help bring civility to our community."

Police investigating after 3 shot, 2 killed amid Kenosha protests

Yuhas ended the letter inviting Evers to witness "the destruction that has been inflicted on our community."

The protests are in reaction to Kenosha police shooting of Blake, a Black man, seven times in the back, leaving him paralyzed. A cell phone video of the events was widely shared on social media, triggering national outrage.

Evers declared a state of emergency for the county on Tuesday, which directs state agencies to continue assisting state response and calls certain additional active-duty Wisconsin National Guard to support first responders and protect critical infrastructure and cultural institutions. A curfew went into effect for Kenosha County at 8 p.m.

During the unrest Tuesday night in Kenosha, a shooting killed two people and seriously hurt another. Police have not announced any arrests.

The county also announced that its curfew will remain in effect through Sunday. The curfew is in effect each night from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. the following morning.