MILWAUKEE – County Supervisor Ryan Clancy issued a statement supporting the protest in Bay View and calling on residents to have proactive conversations on racism and police violence along with the Milwaukee Police Department and the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office to immediately adopt policies into compliance with the Center for Disease Control Guidance.
“I am saddened that I cannot attend today’s Justice for George Floyd protest in Bay View today. As the deaths of George Floyd, Joel Acevedo, and too many across the country prove, these are not issues that are confined to one municipality, and I am happy to see this conversation brought to Bay View in this way. Racism and police violence are systemic problems, and require systemic answers” said Supervisor Ryan Clancy. “On Sunday, I was arrested near an event with a similar message, similarly peaceful behavior, but with a disproportionately violent response from law enforcement. During that arrest, which disproportionally targeted Black residents, the Milwaukee Police Department detained us in poorly-ventilated vans, buses and holding areas. They refused multiple requests from individuals both to be able to distance from each other and to be provided with personal protective equipment. Nearly zero of the arresting or processing officers even wore masks.
“My mother is 74 years old. She has struggled with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease for much of her life, and therefore is at an increased risk of complications from COVID-19 should I pass it on to her. To protect her, my immediate family, and our community, I’ll today be entering self-quarantine. I’m very aware that not every person has the privilege or support to be able to isolate like this. It should not be necessary to do so merely because law enforcement tasked with protecting us can’t be bothered to wear masks.
“The violence perpetuated on Sunday by the Milwaukee Police Department on people of color should not also further erode the health in their communities. I call on both the Milwaukee Police Department and the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office to immediately adopt policies which bring them into compliance with the Center for Disease Control’s ‘Interim Guidance on Management of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Correctional and Detention Facilities.’ Bad policing shouldn’t also lead to bad health outcomes.”
