Here & Now

Wisconsin Responds to George Floyd

Frederica Freyberg:

Thousands turned out across Wisconsin to protest in the wake of George Floyd’s death, at times causing clashes between police and demonstrators. The common theme running throughout? Systematic racism needs to end. “Here & Now” reporter Will Kenneally has more.

Will Kenneally:

The emotion that filled Wisconsin streets this week was palpable. For one protester who pointed to her skin when asked why she was demonstrating?

Woman:

It’s never going to end.

Will Kenneally:

The death of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody sparked movements across the state advocating changes to how the police interact with black communities.

1. Adams:

We want community control over the police which will lead to the abolishment of this police as we understand it.

[cheers and applause]

And instead, we want those resources to be redirected to pro-black, to pro-life-affirming safety mechanisms.

Will Kenneally:

The push for police reform has gone on for years in Wisconsin. In the police shooting deaths of Tony Robinson in Madison and Sylville Smith in Milwaukee were front of mind during this week’s protests.

[chanting]

The frustration over the lethargic pace of change reached a boiling point over the weekend.

Police clashed with protesters and storefronts were pillaged.

Brandi Grayson:

Some of us are upset about the looting. I get it. Some of us are upset about the property. I get it. But ain’t nobody offering no solutions or policy change.

[cheers and applause]

Will Kenneally:

Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway advocated local change, but the crowd in Madison was unconvinced.

Satya Rhodes-Conway:

I’m going to work to do what I can.

Crowd:

What can you do? Tell us what you can do.

Will Kenneally:

To move forward and rebuild trust in the police, what can be done?

David Crowley:

Well, we have to take a step back and realize that we cannot tell hurt people, traumatized people who have been suffering so much pain, how to react to their trauma. We also have to be conscious that we all have a role to play in the movement. Every role isn’t for everybody, but we all have a role to play in this movement. It’s about recognizing that role. This is really about how we lean on one another.

Sheila Stubbs:

It is time to move in that direction, to acknowledge racism exists. I hope no one knows who’s coming back to the capitol, right, that we have a new tone. It’s not just a black issue. If you turn on the TV, our white brothers and sisters are marching too. It’s a human issue.

Will Kenneally:

For many, it’s a chance to be heard.

Cassie Pierce:

People are coming together. We’re making artwork to speak about the value of black lives and make it more visible. You can speak about it, but I think it helps for people to see why we are angry and why we are upset and how we can come together and hopefully make things better one day.

Will Kenneally:

Reporting from Madison and Milwaukee, I’m Will Kenneally for “Here & Now.”