Julia Jackson, the mother of Jacob Blake, said her son would be upset to see the violence and destruction that took place in Wisconsin after he was shot by police officers.
Jackson said during a press conference on Tuesday that the destruction that has taken place in Kenosha, Wisconsin, and throughout the country does not reflect the desires of her or her son. She urged people to pray for everyone involved in the situation, including the police officers.
“We really just need prayers. As I was riding through here, through this city, I noticed a lot of damage that doesn’t reflect my son or my family,” Jackson said. “If Jacob knew what was going on as far as that goes, the violence and the destruction, he would be very unpleased.”
“So I’m really asking and encouraging everyone in Wisconsin and abroad to take a moment and examine your hearts. Citizens, police officers, firemen, clergy, politicians: Do Jacob justice on this level and examine your hearts. We need healing,” she said.
Blake, a 29-year-old black man, was shot several times by a police officer at close range as he tried to get back into his car during an arrest. His young children were in the car when he was shot, according to the family. Blake will likely be paralyzed as a result of the shooting, according to his father.
His death sparked protests throughout the country, including some riots in Wisconsin. Kenosha was forced to issue a curfew and call in the National Guard on Tuesday after several buildings and cars were burned in the riots.
Jackson called for prayers for the police officers in the United States. She urged police and minority citizens to love one another as they work to heal the division in the country.
“To all of the police officers, I’m praying for you and your families. To all of the citizens, my black and brown sisters and brothers, I’m praying for you. I believe that you are an intelligent being, just like the rest of us. Everybody, let’s use our hearts, our love, and our intelligence to work together to show the rest of the world how humans are supposed to treat each other,” she said. “America is great when we behave greatly.”
Jackson condemned racism and hatred of any kind. She urged people to come together to prevent any further division.
“How dare we hate what we are? We are humans. God did not make one type of tree or flower or fish or horse or grass or rock. How dare you ask him to make one type of human that looks just like you? I’m not talking to just Caucasian people. I am talking to everyone: white, black, Japanese, Chinese, red, brown. No one is superior to the other. The only supreme being is God himself,” she said.
“Please, let’s begin to pray for healing for our nation. We are the United States. Have we been united? Do you understand what’s going to happen when we fall, because a house that is against each other cannot stand?” she added.
