| Audio file of radio address.
MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers today delivered the Democratic Radio Address on his call for a special session of the Legislature to address policing accountability and transparency. Good afternoon. Jacob Blake was shot in the back multiple times, in broad daylight, in front of his family, friends, and neighbors in Kenosha. We have and will continue to stand with all those who have peacefully demanded justice, equity, and accountability for Black lives in our country. Our Wisconsin teams the Bucks, Brewers, and Packers have said “enough is enough.” More than two months ago now, Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes and I announced a package of legislation to increase accountability and transparency in policing in Wisconsin. This package invests in community violence interruption programs, and works to address the issue of inappropriate use of force by individuals in law enforcement, and builds upon the work of the Law Enforcement Standards Board. These are commonsense policies that transcend political debate. In fact, our neighbors in both Iowa and Minnesota have passed similar comprehensive, meaningful reform. Yet, 2 months later and the Legislature has failed to act. Frankly I should not need to call a special session when people across our state are demanding their elected leaders take action. Leaders show up. Leaders do the work that needs to be done and that the people of Wisconsin demand of them, but we cannot wait for Republican leadership to show up for work because clearly, they intend to keep us waiting. That’s not going to cut it—not for me, not for Lieutenant Governor Barnes, and most importantly not the people of this state who are leading in this moment. That’s why, I called for a special session of the Legislature to take up the package of Legislation we announced earlier this year to convene on Monday, August 31st. We must begin the long but important path toward ensuring our state and our country start to live up to our promises of equity and justice. Thank you. |
