SPLC statement on Jacob Blake shooting

KENOSHA, Wis. — Southern Poverty Law Center President and CEO Margaret Huang issued the below statement following the shooting of Jacob Blake, a Black man shot multiple times by Kenosha, Wis., police at close range on Sunday. He is currently in stable condition.

This was the second shooting in two days in which police shot Black men multiple times as they walked away. Trayford Pellerin, 31, was killed by Lafayette, La., police on Friday as he walked away from them. 

“There is an urgent need to look at the use of excessive force by law enforcement in order to stop the shootings and murder of Black and brown people in this country.  We call for an immediate and transparent investigation into Jacob Blake’s shooting, as well as Trayford Pellerin’s murder, and urge elected leaders in both communities to take steps to end this epidemic of police violence.