August 24, 2020

On August 23rd, Jacob Blake was shot by Kenosha Police Officers eight times in the back. This incident occurred in broad daylight, with his children watching. Neighbors reported that Blake was intervening in a neighborhood quarrel between two women and was unarmed when he was confronted by Kenosha police officers. As seen in the recorded video of the event, one police officer aggressively grabs Jacob by the back of the shirt and shoots him not once, not twice-- but eight times in close range.

In a nation which has in its most sacred text-; the U.S. Constitution, a promise of protection from cruel and unusual Punishment-- we ask why Jacob Blake was not protected? We ask what could ever justify 8 bullets in the back? We ask how many more Black men and women have to face a similar fate before justice is served?

The Muslim Public Affairs Council recognizes the egregious abuse of power by the Kenosha Police Department, and urges the Department and Governor Evers to ensure the removal and trial of all officers involved.

The Muslim Public Affairs Council will always stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in the black community, and we strongly stand with Jacob Blake now.

We recognize that the conversation does not end here and we are actively working to ensure human security for all people, but especially those who faced a history of oppression.

We implore each of you to reach out to your members of Congress and request the removal and arrest of all officers involved in the shooting of Jacob Blake. Furthermore, we ask that you join us, in bolstering the narrative of the silenced, the ignored, and underrepresented by holding those in power accountable.

Jacob, you are in our prayers-- but more importantly you are a keystone in our work. We wish you a speedy recovery, and look forward to setting a new precedent for justice.