Kenosha Reporter

Following historic civil unrest Gov. Tony Evers has activated and deployed the Wisconsin National Guard to Kenosha.

In the activation order, Evers said the National Guard was being deployed to “ensure Kenoshians are able to assemble safely.” Evers stressed the activation was not meant to trample the rights of citizens to assemble.

Earlier in the day Evers was excoriated by state Sen. Steve Nass (R-Whitewater) for “divisive” comments regarding the police shooting of Jacob Blake, which is still under investigation.

Garbage trucks were set ablaze in the Kenosha riots.

Evers has yet to condemn the actions of the rioters. 

Shortly after video of Blake's shooting was released, Black Lives Matter rioters took to the streets of Kenosha wreaking havoc, smashing windows and setting buildings ablaze.

Anecdotal reports say the riotous crowd quickly swelled to over 100 and faced off against police who sghot teargas into the fracas unsuccessfully trying to disperse rioters. One officer was rendered helpless after a being struck in the head with a brick. Rioters reportedly heckled him as he lay motionless on the ground being cared for by a fellow officer.  

Earlier today Kenosha law enforcement did not respond to requests from the Kenosha Reporter regarding their plans to handle tomnight's protest planned for 6 p.m. 

As of earlier today the Kenosha Democratic Party was still promoting the event, despite last night's rioting. 

“Every person should be able to express their fear and frustration by exercising their First Amendment rights and report on these calls to action without any fear of being unsafe,” Evers said in the activation statement. “This is a limited mobilization of the National Guard focused on supporting the needs of local first responders to protect critical infrastructure, such as utilities and fire stations.” 

Major Gen. Paul Knapp, Wisconsin’s adjutant general, said the National Guard troops deployed to Kenosha will aim to preserve public safety.

Evers notably and emphatically told President Donald Trump in July that federal troops are "not welcome in Wisconsin."