Jacob Blake Relays a Powerful Video Message While Recovering from His Hospital Bed

From Harper's BAZAAR

On August 23, police from Wisconsin's Kenosha Police Department fired several shots into the back of Jacob Blake, a 29-year-old Black man. Blake was rushed to the hospital and, according to his brother, underwent surgery and is currently in the intensive-care unit.

Officers were responding to a domestic incident when they came across Blake, who was attempting to break up a verbal altercation between two women, reported Kenosha News.

A video of the shooting shows Blake walking around his car as an officer follows him with his gun drawn. As Blake opens the driver's-side door to enter his SUV, the officer yanks at the back of his shirt. Then, the sounds of at least seven shots are heard. According to Blake's attorney, Benjamin Crump, three of Blake's children were inside the car at the time.

"They saw a cop shoot their father. They will be traumatized forever," Crump tweeted. "We cannot let officers violate their duty to PROTECT us. Our kids deserve better!!"

The Wisconsin Department of Justice is investigating the incident, and the officers involved have been placed on administrative leave. In a statement, the Kenosha Police Department said that "officers provided immediate aid" to Blake before he was airlifted to Froedtert Hospital.

"While we do not have all of the details yet, what we know for certain is that he is not the first Black man or person to have been shot or injured or mercilessly killed at the hands of individuals in law enforcement in our state or our country," said Governor Tony Evers in a statement. "We stand with all those who have and continue to demand justice, equity, and accountability for Black lives in our country."

The shooting sparked protests in Wisconsin that continued into early Monday morning. Buildings, businesses, and vehicles were reportedly damaged in the uprisings. Officers also used tear gas on protesters in an attempt to disperse the crowds.

On September 5, Crump released a video of Blake speaking from his hospital bed as he recovers from his injuries. "There's a lot more life to live out here, man," Blake said. "Your life—and not only just your life, your legs, something that you need to move around and move forward in life—could be taken from you like this, man."

He detailed his recovery process, mentioning the staples doctors used on his back and stomach from the gunshot wounds. "Every 24 hours is pain," he added. "It hurts to breathe, it hurts to sleep, it hurts to move from side to side, it hurts to eat. Please, I'm telling you, change y'all lives out there. We can stick together, make some money, make everything easier for our people out here, man, because there's so much time that has been wasted."

Blake is reportedly now paralyzed from the waist down.

What You Can Do

Donate

• Relatives of Blake have created a GoFundMe that will go toward his medical bills and legal representation. Donate Here

• The Milwaukee Freedom Fund will provide legal support and bail funds for protesters in Kenosha. Donate Here

Contact Representatives

Head to the Kenosha County website, the Wisconsin State Legislature website, and Governor Evers's website to find their contact information and demand justice for Blake.

Sign Petitions

• This petition demands a divestment of funds from police forces throughout the country. Sign Here

• This petition demands that the cops involved be charged with attempted murder. Sign Here

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