Wisconsin governor activates National Guard after violence

MADISON, Wis. - Wisconsin's governor activated the National Guard on Wednesday to protect state properties after a night of violence that included the toppling of two statues outside the state Capitol, one of which commemorated an abolitionist Civil War hero.

Protesters also attacked a state senator, threw a Molotov cocktail into a government building and attempted to break into the Capitol Tuesday night, only to be repelled by pepper spray from police stationed inside. The violence broke out as a group of 200 to 300 people protested the arrest of a Black man who shouted at restaurant customers through a megaphone while carrying a baseball bat.

Gov. Tony Evers, who toured the damage and said the violence was in "stark contrast" to earlier peaceful protests, said he was activating the National Guard "to make sure people can exercise their First Amendment rights while ensuring the safety of members of the public and state buildings and infrastructure."

https://www.startribune.com/crowds-tear-down-statues-attack-wisconsin-state-senator/571459342/