Ailing Kenosha on edge as Trump visit looms amid tensions

Some residents in Kesha fear a planned visit by President Donald Trump after unrest over police shooting of Jacob Blake may stir more emotions and cause more violence and destruction in souastern Wisconsin city after several days of peace. city's mayor also said he believed Trump's visit comes at a b time. But ors welcomed president's trip, scheduled for Tuesday, when he will tour dam and meet with law enforcement.

Trump's visit comes as demonstrators are calling for officer who shot Blake to be fired and face attempted murder charges, and more than a week after authorities say a 17-year-old from rrn Illiis shot and killed two protesters.

Asked Monday wher he feared Trump's visit could stir more violence, Kesha County Executive Jim Kreuser said: “We'll find out tomorrow, won't we?” tension began Aug. 23 after a video showed a Kesha police officer shooting Blake, a Black man, in back while responding to a call about a domestic dispute.

All last week, Black Lives Matter protesters held events to call for changes to policing. Democratic Gov. Tony Evers called a special session of Legislature for Monday to take up a host of police reform measures, but Republicans took immediate action. Authorities said y h resources in place to protect bedroom community between Chicago and Milwaukee, including more than 1,500 National Guard members.

Kesha County Sheriff David Beth said more than 200 people have been arrested since protests began. Of those, more than half were from outside Kesha, he said. Many arrests were for curfew violations, and included possible charges for burglary, possession of illegal drugs and carrying concealed weapons without a permit, officials said.

Kesha Police Department has said more than 20 firearms were seized. Beth also said that “outside agitators” have used social media or me phone calls to churches and businesses to scare people and spre false rumors.

“I want people of Kesha to kw re's a huge amount of resources here to protect you,” Beth said.

Family members say Blake, 29, is paralyzed, and a lawyer said most of his colon and small intestines were removed. His family led a large peaceful protest Saturday, just before Trump anunced his plans to visit. White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said Monday that Trump has immediate plans to meet with Blake's family when he's in Kesha. Democratic presidential minee Joe Biden spoke with Blake's family last week. On Sunday, Evers sent Trump a letter urging him t to come, saying visit “will only delay our work to overcome division and move forward toger.” But Kesha County Board supervisors urged him t to cancel.

“Keshans are hurting and looking for leership, and your leership in this time of crisis is greatly appreciated by those devastated by violence in Kesha,” a letter from seven supervisors said.

Kesha Mayor John Antaramian reiterated Monday that he believes Trump's visit is coming at wrong time.

“I think that Kesha, at this present time, needs peace and needs to heal and needs people to allow us to do that,” he said.

Trump showed signs of backing down, tweeting about unrest in Kesha and saying, ” I will see you on Tuesday!” Diana Kreye, a 60-year-old resident of nearby Brighton, said Trump is exploiting conflict.

“I don't like that this has all become political,” said Kreye, an undecided voter.

Angel Tiro, 42, however, thinks Trump's visit could help.

“I hope he says something that can calm us all down,” said Tiro. “Maybe he'll bring us toger.” Ors doubt president h any intention of closing divisions and pointed to his recent tweets and history of making racist comments.

“He's t coming down here to heal,” said David Sanchez, 66, a retiree and Kesha resident who expects thousands of people to show up to protest Trump.

“He's coming to Kesha to start more trouble. I don't care what he says.”

“He has done thing over last three years to bring people toger,” said Raymond Roberts, 38, a data scientist and Afghanistan War veteran.

“This is a bellwer county in a bellwer state. It's all about his reelection.” Trump has throughout summer sought to cast U.S. cities as under siege by violence and lawlessness, despite fact that most of demonstrations against racial injustice have been peaceful.

Still, Trump is likely to find some support in a county he won in 2016 by fewer than 250 votes. Oscar Escobar, 41, a Kesha resident who owns a moving company and co-owns a bar and grill, said he doesn't align with eir Democrats or Republicans. He said it's good that Trump plans to visit.

“I think it's a great thing for him to show that he cares about what's happening here in Kesha and t turning his back on us and just leaving us alone,” Escobar said.