Kenosha, Wisconsin-The city of Lake Michigan was quiet, calm and peaceful on Sundays. Many residents want to leave the city as it is, as closing arguments for the Kyle Rittenhouse trial begin on Monday.
“I’m a little nervous because Monday is coming,” said Mike Lip, 35, from Kenosha.
Wisconsin was dispatched 500 National Guard, And hundreds of nearby police officers, trial..
But increased attention and the presence of additional law enforcement agencies have hit a less lively city than ever before, said downtown resident Max Lewis.
“It had a negative impact on the energy of the city. It’s not the same. Everyone is trying to avoid the situation and keep an eye on it,” Lewis said. “We are a little disappointed with the situation. This case needs to be cut and dried. You kill two people on the street, you are punished for it, the end of the story.”
Ritten HouseThe 18-year-old shot two men on the night of prosecution and public unrest in Kenosha in August 2020, injuring a third, and then reckless murder, intentional murder, and intentional attempted murder. Was charged with.
The anxiety was the reaction to Jacob Blake’s shooting by Kenosha police officers after domestic violence. Blake was paralyzed from the waist down.
“Kenosha is ready to move on,” said Patrick Roberts, pastor of the First Baptist Church, before his sermon on Sunday. “Everyone is calm and the community understands that it needs to be healed.”
Blake’s family feels the same, but wants justice for those shot and killed by Rittenhaus.
Jacob Blake’s uncle, Justin Blake, 52, said: “Most people believe he shouldn’t have been here with this weapon. Most people seem to want to be convicted.”
“For the Blake family, these people gathered after coming from Jacob Blake’s rally, so it would be a small token of victory,” he added.
Residents say that life in a city of about 100,000 people has returned to normal since last summer.
Most of the streets were open around the town on Sunday, probably because of bad weather and cold weather, and few people went out.
However, there is one thing that is clear. It means that the residents of Kenosha are ready to put off the past and start anew.
“I think Kenosha is doing pretty well. Everyone understands what’s going on. Obviously, it’s an unfortunate situation that led to this, but I want everyone to get over it. I think we are waiting for the conclusion, “said Mark Unburn, 59, of the neighboring Pleasant Prairie.
John Eason, an assistant professor of sociology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, said closing arguments and verdicts would be a crucial moment for the United States.
“I think the mood of Wisconsin, not just Kenosha, goes beyond the overall awakening of race. All the signs will be cases where this proves white,” Eason added. “If the peak of the country’s calculation of social justice was George Floyd, this would be a pendulum look back. This is a turning point.”
The Blakes also believe that the trial has national implications.
“It’s about Wisconsin and the country,” said Justin Blake. “In any case, this case could set a precedent for gun rights.”
Near the end of the trial, Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers is asking visitors to stay away from Kenosha.
“I respect the community by rethinking plans to travel there to people who have not otherwise come from the area,” he said in a statement. “The Kenosha community has been strong and resilient and has survived some of the most difficult times in the last two years, but the healing is still going on.”
In his sermon, Roberts said it was time for the community to get together.
“God responds to cry, so in order for the Kenosha community to be healed, we need to cry in prayer to God,” he said. “We know what’s going on. Look at the news and we live here. Do bad things, look away from bad personalities. Especially at night, from the evil of Kenosha. Please look away. “