Wisconsin Dem Gov Tony Evers Activates 500 National Guard Members Ahead of Rittenhouse Verdict

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers (D) made a move on Friday to activate approximately 500 army national guard troops ahead of a potential verdict in the Kyle Rittenhouse murder trial.

A video from Twitter account “R A W A L E R T S” showed the guard soldiers assembled and ready to potentially quell signs of unrest.

“#BREAKING: National Guard troops in Wisconsin are on stand by. Around 500 National Guard Soldiers are on standby in Kenosha, Wisconsin, in preparation for a verdict in the Kyle Rittenhouse case this week as they prepare for possible large protests.”

#BREAKING: National Guard troops in Wisconsin are on stand by

#Kenosha I #Wisconsin

Around 500 National Guard Soldiers are on standby in Kenosha, Wisconsin, in preparation for a verdict in the Kyle Rittenhouse case this week as they prepare For possible large protests pic.twitter.com/QkWpwmF3dJ

— R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) November 15, 2021

Many were critical of Evers’ response last year after it became clear that there was going to be large-scale unrest following the Aug. 23 police shooting of a black man, Jacob Blake, who had wrestled with one officer and then tried to get in his van and possibly retrieve a knife.

Following the first night of riots, Evers deployed 125 soldiers and then doubled the deployment to 250 soldiers after declaring a state of emergency.

It was on the third night that Rittenhouse ended up killing two and wounding one in what he claims was self-defense.

The following day, then-President Donald Trump announced that he had spoken to Evers and was planning to send in national law enforcement to restore “Law and order.”

Some are also suggesting that Evers deployment of troops could also intimidate the jury in some way, as they would want to avoid more riots.