CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The family of a man shot by police in Wisconsin came to Charlotte on Sunday to share a powerful message.
Four weeks ago, a Kenosha police officer shot Jacob Blake seven times in the back. He survived but is paralyzed from the waist down.
His father, Jacob Blake Sr., lives in Charlotte and hosted a rally at Marshall Park on Sunday. He was joined by other family members, including Jacob Blake’s sister.
“If I did not stand up when my son cannot stand up today, then who would I be?" Blake Sr. said.
Channel 9′s Glenn Counts was there and said about 150 people attended the peaceful rally at Romare Bearden Park. There were a number of groups that participated, including the Urban League.
In addition to supporting the Blake family, other victims were remembered. Justin Carr, who was killed in a demonstration by another protester, and Keith Lamont Scott, who was shot and killed by a Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officer, were also honored.
Blake’s sister, Letetra Wideman, said she was encouraged by all the people who showed up.
“It feels good, but at the same time it feels like a broken record, and we’re tired of the broken record. We want real change. We don’t want symbolism. We want to be able to walk around outside and not fear for our life because of the color of our skin,” she said.
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Protesters marched to the Black Lives Matter mural on South Tryon Street. They also had a voter registration stand. One of the things the Blake family did was encourage people to vote as a way of changing the criminal justice system.
“We can’t tear it up because we’re gonna need these buildings. We’re gonna need these windows. We’re gonna need these white brothers and sisters to stand right with us," Blake Sr. said.
The Department of Justice is still investigating the Wisconsin shooting. Witnesses said Blake was trying to break up a fight but walked away when police officers showed up with guns drawn.
The officers have not been charged.