Some chilling aerial footage is going viral this week, showing just how much damage has been done to the city of Kenosha, Wisconsin in the weeks since the riots began over the police-involved shooting of Jacob Blake.
The aerial footage published by Daily Mail shows that there has been massive destruction in Kenosha as President Donald Trump prepares to visit on Tuesday afternoon. The riots have been ongoing since August 23, when 29-year-old Jacob Blake was shot by Kenosha police.
Since then, multiple Kenosha businesses and buildings have been destroyed by fires, including a furniture store, a youth correctional facility, and an entire car lot.
President Trump insisted on paying a visit to Kenosha despite Wisconsin’s Democratic Governor Tony Evers urging him to stay away.
“The White House has been humbled by the outreach of individuals from Kenosha who have welcomed the President’s visit and are longing for leadership to support local law enforcement and businesses that have been vandalized,” Trump’s Deputy Press Secretary Judd Deere said on Sunday. “President Trump looks forward to visiting on Tuesday and helping this great city heal and rebuild.”
Evers had sent Trump a letter that same day, telling him that he is not welcome in Kenosha.
“I, along with other community leaders who have reached out, are concerned about what your presence will mean for Kenosha and our state,” Evers wrote.
The Democratic mayor of Kenosha, John Antaramian also tried to get Trump to stay away.
“While presidents are always welcome to come to this great city, this is not the best time for a visit,” Antaramian said on Sunday. “We are hurting today and we are focused on healing, coming together as a community and rebuilding. There is a lot of listening we need to do in Kenosha and I worry that a visit from the president will delay this important work.”
Trump, however, was not having any of it.
“If I didn’t INSIST on having the National Guard activate and go into Kenosha, Wisconsin, there would be no Kenosha right now,” Trump tweeted on Monday. “Also, there would have been great death and injury. I want to thank Law Enforcement and the National Guard. I will see you on Tuesday!”
If I didn’t INSIST on having the National Guard activate and go into Kenosha, Wisconsin, there would be no Kenosha right now. Also, there would have been great death and injury. I want to thank Law Enforcement and the National Guard. I will see you on Tuesday!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 31, 2020
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