Milwaukee imposes curfew to quell rioting sparked by police shooting

[Eugene]

Source: Reuters

U.S. | Mon Aug 15, 2016 3:06pm EDT

Milwaukee imposes curfew to quell rioting sparked by police shooting

By Brendan O'Brien | MILWAUKEE

The city of Milwaukee imposed a 10 p.m. curfew on Monday in an attempt to quell rioting that erupted the previous two nights in response to the police shooting of an armed black man in one of the most segregated cities in the United States.

Mayor Tom Barrett also renewed his call for state officials to release a video of the Saturday night shooting in hopes it convinces angry protesters that deadly force against Sylville K. Smith, 23, was justified.

"There is a curfew that will be more strictly enforced tonight for teenagers," Barrett told a news conference. "So parents, after 10 o'clock your teenagers better be home or in a place where they're off the streets."

Milwaukee has become the latest American city to be gripped by violence in response to police killings of black men in places such as Ferguson, Missouri, in 2014 and Baltimore last year.

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Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-wisconsin-police-idUSKCN10P06W

[pintobean]

1. When the video gets released is up to the DOJ.

Flynn said that based on his review of the officer's body camera video, the chain of events leading to the shooting of Smith took 20 to 25 seconds. Smith, who has a lengthy record, was fleeing a traffic stop about 3:30 p.m. Saturday near W. Auer Ave. and N. 44th St. when the confrontation occurred, officials said.

"I mean, there was virtually no time between the officer unhooking his seat belt, turning on his body camera, getting out of the car and immediately he was in a foot chase. That foot chase went maybe a few dozen feet before he encountered this individual in a fenced yard," Flynn said.

"The individual was armed. The individual did turn toward the officer with the firearm in his hand. You can't tell when the officer discharges his firearm."

Flynn said he doesn't know how soon the body camera video would be released, but he and Mayor Tom Barrett said transparency was important and they hoped it could be released soon. That decision will be up to the state Department of Justice. Flynn said the quickest release he knew of was one week, in a Chicago case.

http://www.jsonline.com/story/news/breaking/2016/08/14/calm-restored-scene-unrest-clarke-calls-national-guard/88716616/

[PeaceNikki]

4. As has been explained to you, this rioting isn't really about Saturday's shooting. Justified or not.

These are very complex problems that have taken literally decades to escalate - any catalyst could have been the flashpoint.

[pintobean]

6. It doesn't matter what I think.

This is the shooting that they decided to riot over. This is the news of the day.

[PeaceNikki]

13. Anyone with any knowledge of the area and the situation knows the truth.

Closed minded people with excessive privilege think this situation exists in a vacuum of that one event.

[pintobean]

14. I don't make excuses for

assault, theft, and arson. We've been dealing with the same thing here for years. Riots aren't victimless crimes.

[PeaceNikki]

16. I don't, either. Nor do I completely dismiss the factors that lead up to such incidents.

They don't happen in a vacuum. It's important to analyze the contributing factors and try to fix it.

[Skittles]

25. LOL

do you even hear yourself? Protesting violence by burning down your own neighborhood.....it just isn't going to get any positive results

[PeaceNikki]

27. Can you please show me where I indicated it's "positive"?

See, I didn't. I am discussing the events and decades of issues that lead up to it and the fact that the one single shooting on Saturday isn't even what it's about. I think I said, "These are very complex problems that have taken literally decades to escalate - any catalyst could have been the flashpoint."

I have made no mention or implication that the reaction is good, justified, reasonable or positive. I am simply saying we need to discuss, face and address deep issues. I don't know why you think that is so laughable or worthy of your scorn.

[Skittles]

30. riots do NOT lead to discussion or get ANYONE to "face and address deep issues"

they deeply reinforce the worst of stereotypes

*DONE HERE*

[PeaceNikki]

31. kthxbai

Wisconsin named worst state for black Americans - http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/news/2016/08/05/wisconsin-named-worst-state-for-black-americans.html

Wisconsin has the highest percentage of incarcerated black men in the nation - http://wuwm.com/topic/project-milwaukee-black-men-prison#stream/0

How One Milwaukee Zip Code Explains America’s Mass Incarceration Problem - https://thinkprogress.org/how-one-milwaukee-zip-code-explains-americas-mass-incarceration-problem-66a6535d1c4#.s9xopcry0

Race and Reality: The scourge of segregation - http://www.cnn.com/2015/12/01/us/milwaukee-wisconsin-segregation-poll/

[JustAnotherGen]

51. I commend you

For your efforts here. However as is usually the case - I'm getting the worst stereotypes reinforced by DU. Let it go - same as it ever was ya know?

[PeaceNikki]

52. Sometimes I am shocked for a minute.

It's just crazy because, being so close to it, ALL of the local Democratic leaders and local Democrats I know are saying the VERY things I am saying. Hell, even *some* of the local right-wingers understand the enormity of the issue and most people get that this is very deep.

City Alderman Khalif Rainey said the area has been a "powder keg" for potential violence throughout the summer.

"What happened tonight may not have been right and I am not justifying that but no one can deny the fact that there are problems, racial problems in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, that need to be rectified," Rainey said. "This community of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, has become the worst place to live for African-Americans in the entire country."

Rainey said Saturday's violence was a byproduct of inequities, injustice, unemployment and under-education.

"Something has to be done to address these issues," he said. "The black people of Milwaukee are tired; they are tired of living under this oppression, this is their life."

Stamper told reporters, "Our community is in pain." He took time to read part of what a friend had texted him during the evening. That friend said in a text, "I'm fighting tears right now." The friend's text indicated people are taking these actions because "they feel like they can't do anything else." Stamper's friend also texted, "We haven't been doing enough. Everybody is playing (expletive) politics -- and nobody is playing life." Stamper's response to his friend was, "Exactly."


Stamper said the actions seen late Saturday come from helplessness -- and the voters put people like him in office to help. Stamper stated he was going to "put resources in this budget" and "partner with people who want to make a difference.

Milwaukee's racial problems are no secret. Talking about it doesn't justify the riots and I am fucking sick of a handful of people here acting like it does.

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/15/us/racial-violence-in-milwaukee-was-decades-in-the-making-residents-say.html?_r=2

Then I come to DU and some are discussing it exactly like the farthest of right wingers. A post below goes to far as asking if I will be helping with rioting.

No, asshole. I help with cleaning up the aftermath.

[JustAnotherGen]

53. I saw it

Did you know that when I roll my eyes - it's a sign of contempt. I looked like beetlejuice when I read that. The thing about you helping.


Doesn't matter - black people will be showing up in droves this election. We are going to win.

[NaturalHigh]

43. Why are you going to such great lengths to justify these riots?

[PeaceNikki]

44. I am not.

I don't and won't justify the violence and destruction. Now now or ever. Discussing the root cause is not an attempt to protect the rioters or even the guy who was shot Saturday, but the vast majority of the community who are victims of it and so very much more.

I think the thing that shocks me most is the feeling that I get that people here don't think the massive underlying issues SHOULD be discussed in context of these events. As though the entire community should be 'punished' for the violence and destruction propagated by a relative few and that discussing it is in some way affirming their actions. It's utterly heatrbreaking.

[snooper2]

48. are you going to help with the riot work?

[PeaceNikki]

49. WTF?

[uponit7771]

2. The Chief in Milwaukee is a FAUX news regular IINM, he's a straight up brothafucka...

Looks like Milwaukee is another BaltimoreFergusonLA. Seems most time people blow up like this its more often than not a sign of oppression.

[PeaceNikki]

3. That's the MKE County **Sheriff** David Clarke.

Chief Flynn of Milwaukee PD is a good man.

[uponit7771]

5. ok thx, for the info... seems like there's something wrong in the area

[PeaceNikki]

9. Yeah, Wisconsin is the worst place in the US for black Americans

Wisconsin named worst state for black Americans - http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/news/2016/08/05/wisconsin-named-worst-state-for-black-americans.html


This rioting isn't even really about Saturday's shooting. Justified or not.

These are very complex problems that have taken literally decades to escalate - any catalyst could have been the flashpoint

[uponit7771]

10. Yeap, I figured ... most of the time people lash out like that as a group there's something wrong...

... with the area legal system.

Of course its faux news acting like its all a single act that made them do this and one asshole commentator called the rioters racist.

They don't want to talk about tRump today

[PeaceNikki]

11. Hopefully this documentary is brought into the conversation

http://www.milwaukee53206.com/

Segregation, mass incarceration, poverty and unemployment are out of hand. We need to invest in people.

[uponit7771]

18. I agree, its unfortunate that republicans have been convinced the "people" are the rich and well off

... vs an all around base of people who can add to society.

These areas need to be outed, I wish there was a website of complaints

[Release The Hounds]

15. Are you referring to Sheriff David Clark?

He is the FAUX/Glen Beck wacko. Ed Flynn is the Chief.

[uponit7771]

17. Right, it sounds like the chief is on the up and up but the sheriff is the jerk

[Calculating]

7. Really bad shooting to riot over

Out of all the good reasons to protest, they picked a shooting where the guy actually DID have a gun and was an actual criminal.

[PeaceNikki]

8. it's not really about the shooting Saturday

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=8100325

Wisconsin is ranked the worst place in the US for AA's and this neighborhood is pretty much the epicenter of that.

[HereSince1628]

12. Exactly.

[exboyfil]

19. Well you do have this

Strategically edited by CNN to take out the incitement to riot.

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/frenchrevolution/2016/08/15/video-sister-of-man-killed-by-milwaukee-police-tells-rioters-take-that-sh-t-to-the-suburbs/2/

[PeaceNikki]

20. Oh, ffs. She wasn't seriously calling for that. She was pissed off and on a rant.

Her brother was just killed and her neighborhood a shambles.

Only right wing lunatics are taking it that way.

[IamTheNoodle]

24. Who are you to say that she didn't mean that?

Who the hell gave you the right to say that what she said she didn't mean??

[PeaceNikki]

42. I am an empathetic human being who understands that this was an un-eloquent, very poorly worded

unprepared cry for help by someone in pain. I am someone who chooses to focus on the cry for help and not demonize her for a small portion of her otherwise decent statement that was awful. I am someone that lives in the suburbs to which she referred who was not threatened by those few shitty words.

That's who I am.

[Nuclear Unicorn]

32. I bet you think you're helping your cause.

[PeaceNikki]

33. Google the discussion in question. Who is freaking out by and large about one angry woman's words?

https://www.google.com/search?q=TAKE+THAT+SHIT+TO+THE+SUBURBS&oq=TAKE+THAT+SHIT+TO+THE+SUBURBS&aqs=chrome..69i57.5571j0j9&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

www.angrypatriotmovement.com
www.newsbusters.org
www.ar15.com
bluelivesmatter.blue
www.infowars.com
ijr.com/
dailycaller.com/

That's who.

What I think is that I am having a discussion on a discussion board about the decades of oppression that contributed to destruction of the neighborhood in which I was born. The way that I think I help is by assisting the good people rebuild and by working to elect people willing to invest in education and resources for a community which has been neglected and shat upon.

[Nuclear Unicorn]

34. I haven't visited any of those sites even once but I see someone here going to absurd lengths

to tell us we didn't see what we plainly saw. You don't gain allies calling by calling your audience a bunch of chumps.

I'm an anarchist, my distrust of authorities is in-grained and reflexive. I should be a natural ally in your quest to bring greater scrutiny to the authorities that oversee that neighborhood.

Yet, based on the ridiculous lengths you go to in your posts I can't help but wonder how much of the destitution in the affected neighborhood is self-imposed by its residents if they call for riots, make absurd excuses while rejecting and insulting others all in the name of a man who was fleeing with a gun and had a lengthy criminal record (meaning, he was victimizing the people in the neighborhood. In case you overlooked that part.).

If you are a representative of that neighborhood --

Well, I can only return to my original statement.

[PeaceNikki]

35. whooooosh

[Nuclear Unicorn]

36. The whoosh is all yours, seeing as you didn't even bother to read my post.

Seriously. As long as my post is, you replied in less than a minute.

Your epistemological closure is absolute and on display for all to see.

Good luck with your neighborhood. You'll need luck because obviously deliberate remediation has no opportunity to prosper if you make excuses for armed criminals and rioters who prey upon the neighborhood.

[PeaceNikki]

37. Not a single excuse, only an attempt to understand how deeply this tension runs.

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/15/us/racial-violence-in-milwaukee-was-decades-in-the-making-residents-say.html?_r=1

[Nuclear Unicorn]

39. Again, don't try to play us for chumps. You attempted to hand-wave away the sister's comments.

The residents can say whatever they want to say but what I see here and now is you throwing out every distraction from the fact the man who was shot confronted the cops while armed with a gun. He was a career criminal who preyed upon the people in the neighborhood. And now the people are rioting after his sister went on her tear.

Attempts to obfuscate, distract and blame shift aren't going to make those plain-as-day facts disappear. Your attempts to cover them up aren't working, it's just insulting. You'll reject my words, of course, but a survey of the thread shows at least 2 of your previous interlocutors have waved-off any further discussion with you because of the ridiculous nature of your defenses.

If gaining awareness and understanding is your objective you're failing miserably but you're just too damned stubborn to realize or admit it. You've done more harm to your cause than any of the RW sites you previously listed because you're pissing off/away your allies on a LW site who don't even patronize those sites.

Here's another piece of advice I'm sure will be ignored (if not twisted into something worse): If you really want the neighborhood to improve part of that reform must include confronting the criminal elements. Yes, people often turn to crime out of desperation but for a community to thrive with jobs, homes, schools, etc. the criminals who prey upon good people and businesses will have to also reform or be removed. No one is going to invest their lives and livelihoods in a place where criminals are allowed to act with impunity -- or worse -- have excuses made for their abhorrent victimization of others.

[HereSince1628]

45. 40% of the black men in the neighborhood are technically convicted criminals

That really does complicate the neighborhood's internal view of criminals and the notion that the neighborhood could be made right by running the criminals out.

You are absolutely correct in the view that perception of the neighborhood as dangerous impacts investment.

Unfortunately, the situation in the neighborhood is extremely dysfunctional, perhaps too dysfunctional for business as usual to be the answer.

[Nuclear Unicorn]

47. How does any of that change the fact a man is dead because

he fled from the police then turned to face the cops while holding a gun in his hand?

[HereSince1628]

40. As is often the case on DU, a poster's intent is in the eye of the reader

I get that you are trying to provide understanding. I get that is taken otherwise.

Rioting is -threatening- to social and personal safety. Not surprisingly there are laws with punishments against disorderly conduct, arson, etc.

Threats (be they riots in a distant or not so distant place, or the sound of ice-breaking under your feet) evoke emotionally based motivations that seek and strongly promote narratives that advocate the reduction of the threat.

Consequently, the dominant social meme about Sherman Park is that rioting is bad, destruction of property and injuries to life are very very bad. The prevailing narrative is about how rioting doesn't really fix anything, but actually makes things worse. And riots are bad, and they do make things worse.

Anything that doesn't say that while trying to present consideration of how a neighborhood erupts into violent civil disobedience runs against the prevailing narrative and is called rationalizing and excuse-making. And that is the reaction that you face.

I honor your attempts to try to move readers toward greater understanding. But, a decade and one-half of DU experience tells me, people don't want understanding, they want their fears assuaged and their beliefs endorsed.

'Now is not the time for intellectualizing,' and that is a part of the problem. It's -never- time to talk thoughtfully about the problems.

My expectation, as a DUer and as someone who lives a bit more than a mile from Sherman Park, is that when the dust on DU settles enough for more rational than emotional discourse to take place, no one will be interested, because the topic isn't pushed by an immediate emotional motivator.

The misery of life of the "underclass" in Sherman Park probably won't ever be thoroughly discussed here. Neither will the generalized need for BLM and protests against the broad effects of prejudice and discrimination.

[PeaceNikki]

41. Thank you.

I think the thing that shocks me most is the feeling that I get that people here don't think the massive underlying issues SHOULD be discussed in context of these events. As though the entire community should be 'punished' for the violence and destruction propagated by a relative few and that discussing it is in some way affirming their actions. It's utterly heatrbreaking.

I was born there and raised a few miles from it. Now I am out in the 'burbs but deeply aware of the crisis. I have a close friend who is a hard-working Milwaukee County Supervisor and another who is a LEO in district 7. She worked 20 hour shifts this weekend with only a few hours break in between. I love Milwaukee but I want its very deep flaws with racial relations to get better. As such, I will keep discussing them, keep helping clean up and bring supplies to Sherman Park and keep working to elect leaders who make fixing this a priority.

I don't and won't justify the violence and destruction. Now now or ever. Discussing the root cause is not an attempt to protect the rioters or even the guy who was shot Saturday, but the vast majority of the community who are victims of it and so very much more.

Thanks again.

[Nuclear Unicorn]

50. You're writing of the innocent as mere collateral to some other goal.

And it's a goal I can't even be confident about because everything you just wrote calls your judgment into question.

[The2ndWheel]

38. My brother was killed, my neighborhood is in shambles

Don't to it to us, go burn down other people's neighborhoods if you're angry. I'm not really saying go do that, but if you're going to do it, take it out on other people.

It's all subjective. Depending on who says what, people can justify and rationalize, or not justify and rationalize, what they say.

[PeaceNikki]

21. That stupid fucking link lauds tea party darling Sheriff Clarke

Fuck that link and the idea it represents.

[Adrahil]

22. True, but that is NOT the narrative playing out.

And perception is reality in most things.

[PeaceNikki]

23. Huh

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=8100645

[Skittles]

26. careful

she'll scream PRIVILEGE at you

[PeaceNikki]

28. I haven't 'screamed' anything at anyone.

[Skittles]

29. no, of course not

you just tell us what people you don't know are thinking, and why

done here, too

[B Calm]

46. Waiting for the video of the black officer shooting a supposedly armed black man before

I can defend the people who are angry teen protestors using violence.