Recap: Protest updates from Milwaukee, Madison on Thursday, June 4

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Journal Sentinel reporters are reporting on events and protests in Milwaukee and around Wisconsin related to the death of George Floyd and other instances of police brutality.

See Friday, June 5's coverage here.

See Wednesday's coverage here.

We'll be updating this story throughout the day.

12 a.m.: Protesters move east on Center Street

A slow-moving caravan of marchers and cars continued east on West Center Street Thursday night, returning to Milwaukee.

The demonstrators did not reach Mayfair Mall, where police were waiting, turning a few blocks east instead. But they drew several hundred people into the fold in their march that began on North 27th and West Center streets at 3 p.m. and headed west through Wauwatosa.

Few police were present along the route in the eighth straight day of marches led by community activists Frank Nitty and Khalil Coleman.

A second group snaked through the east side of Milwaukee to downtown and back Thursday evening. It also drew several hundred people and a caravan of cars, taking over intersections at times but staying peaceful. Participants largely dispersed by 10:30 p.m. once the group returned to its starting point at Cathedral Square Park.

11 p.m.: Protesters in Wauwatosa turn back toward Milwaukee

After trekking west through Wauwatosa on West North Avenue for hours, a group of protesters turned north onto Menomonee River Parkway and east onto West Center Street, headed back toward Milwaukee.

They diverted onto the parkway a few blocks east of Mayfair Mall.

Protesters march through Wauwatosa at North Swan Boulevard and West North Avenue.

10:30 p.m.: Most downtown marchers disperse after returning to Cathedral Square

Shortly before 7 p.m., marchers paused on 16th Street to hear more speeches. One organizer admonished instances of reckless driving from motorists in the caravan.

Demonstrators continued west on Canal Street and then went north on 6th Street.

Retracing their steps from earlier today, protesters went east on Wisconsin Avenue, where they encountered shows of support from Milwaukee citizens and establishments.

The marchers regrouped in Cathedral Square Park, where organizers acknowledged the efforts of first responders, medics, caravan drivers and teachers. Many demonstrators peacefully dispersed afterward.

— Agya Aning

10:20 p.m.: MPD releases video compilation of 'civil unrest'

Milwaukee police Thursday night released a video compilation of what they said were instances of civil unrest in the last seven days.

The video included clips and photos of looting and fire-setting. It also included the same body-camera footage police released Wednesday when violence broke out at North 6th Street and West McKinley Avenue.

The following statement accompanied the video: "The Milwaukee Police Department supports your constitutional right to protest peacefully. We will not support or tolerate the criminal and illegal activity shown in this video."

9:45 p.m.: Protesters move through Wauwatosa, downtown Milwaukee

Protesters marching west through Wauwatosa paused at the intersection of North 76th Street and West North Avenue for about half an hour as leaders gave speeches.

A day earlier over 250 people gathered at the same intersection in a peaceful protest organized by Tosa Together and Indivisible Tosa.

The crowd had dwindled slightly, leaving about 250 people on foot followed by a caravan of cars.

And in Milwaukee, a group of demonstrators that began marching Thursday afternoon at Cathedral Square was returning to its starting point. A large caravan of cars was snaking through downtown as well.

9:15 p.m.: Protesters in Madison demonstrate outside school leader's home

Protesters in Madison marched to Madison Metropolitan School District president Gloria Reyes’ house asking her to reconsider the presence of police in schools. 

Reyes told protesters she was not ready to speak but said George Floyd’s death will force them to “seriously consider the use of officers in our schools,” according to reports from the scene. 

— Lawrence Andrea

9 p.m.: Downtown protesters head south with caravan

Hundreds of protesters made their way west on West Wisconsin Ave this evening, where they passed police vehicles blocking the on-ramp to interstates 43 and 94 before heading through the Marquette University campus. 

The crowd stopped momentarily at Wisconsin and North 16th Street to rally and listen to demonstration leaders while a police helicopter circled overhead.  As of 9 p.m.., protesters were moving south on 16th Street as a caravan of motorists in front continued to make way for them.

— Agya Aning

8:55 p.m.: Wauwatosa protesters reach city hall

Protesters marching through Wauwatosa have reached the city hall building. The group, which is several hundred strong, has drawn many spectators in their trek west on North Avenue.

The demonstrators chanted, "March with us!" and cheered when an onlooker joined the crowd.

Demonstrators gather outside the Wauwatosa city hall building at West North Avenue and North 76th Street.

About 10 vehicles were leading the group down North Avenue, and organizers were directing traffic away from the march down side streets. There was little, if any, police presence within several blocks.

But at least four Wauwatosa police squad cars, plus several mall security vehicles, were waiting at Mayfair Mall. Every entrance to the mall was blocked with cement barriers, and the parking lot was empty save for a few cars.

The protesters may be headed to Mayfair. The mall's parking lot is where a Wauwatosa police officer on Feb. 2 shot and killed 17-year-old Alvin Cole following a disturbance.

As they marched, the demonstrators chanted, "What's his name? Alvin Cole!"

8:30 p.m.: One person killed in crash, possibly someone involved in Thursday protest

One person was killed in a traffic accident Thursday afternoon, possibly someone involved in protests earlier in the day.

A Honda Pilot with seven people inside was seen recklessly driving on Center St. Milwaukee police said. When officers tried to stop the vehicle, it sped off and struck a Mini Cooper with one person inside.

The victim was a 22-year-old man who was a passenger in the vehicle driving recklessly, police said. The accident happened around 4:45 p.m. near N. 6th St. and W. Locust St.

Police said posters inside the Honda Pilot led them to believe the passengers had participated in protests over the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

Two others were injured in the crash and taken to a local hospital.

Read more here.

— Meg Jones

8:15 p.m.: Two charged with illegal gun possession during Madison protests

Two Wisconsin men have been charged with federal firearms crimes after they were found illegally possessing firearms during protests in Madison.

Kyle C. Olson, 28, of Edgerton, and Anthony R. Krohn, 36, of Madison, were both charged Thursday with being felons in possession of handguns, according to a release from U.S. District Attorney Scott C. Blader. Their cases are not related.

Olson, also known as Kyle Charles Quade, was found with a .45-caliber handgun after police responded to an incident of civil unrest in the downtown Madison area of West Gilman Street about 11 p.m. Sunday. According to the complaint, police saw Olson remove a handgun from the trunk of his car and place it in his back waistband. 

Krohn was found in possession of a .22-caliber handgun shortly after 2 a.m. Monday when police responded to reports of a gunshot wound in the area of South Fairchild and West Doty streets in Madison. Police found Krohn bleeding from a wound in his leg, and there was a gun on the ground next to him, according to the complaint. Krohn told a law enforcement officer that he had shot himself. 

Read the full story here.

— Lawrence Andrea

7:40 p.m.: Several hundred protesters move through Wauwatosa, Mayfair Mall entrances blocked

Several hundred demonstrators stopped every few blocks to listen to speeches as they headed west on North Avenue through Wauwatosa. As of 7:45 p.m. the protest wasnearing North 70th Street.

There was a heavy police presence at Mayfair Mall, the reported destination of the marchers, and every entrance to the mall parking lot was blocked.

Also marching was Andre Triplett, who carried a rifle and said he was providing security for protest leader Frank Nitty.

Nitty has said there are threats on his life, but Milwaukee police said Thursday those claims are unsubstantiated.

A second group of protesters was heading west on Wisconsin Avenue downtown.

7:10 p.m.: March makes its way into Wauwatosa

One group of demonstrators has reached Wauwatosa after marching west through Milwaukee. They were stopped at North 64th Street and West North Avenue as leaders addressed the crowd.

“We are going to march every day," organizer Frank Nitty said from atop a minivan outfitted with speakers. "We will be heard”

Patrick Smith, whose son Sylville was killed by a Milwaukee police officer in 2016, spoke to the protesters as well.

“We have to learn to live with each other. We have to change. We have to love each other.”

Another group of protesters, originating on Milwaukee's east side, was marching past city hall downtown as of 7:10 p.m.

7 p.m.: Brookfield students, some who have experienced racism, lead protest for justice

About 200 people, who were primarily high school students, protested on Thursday in Brookfield for racial justice and to pay tribute to George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, two African Americans killed by police in recent months.

The protest, which was organized and led by area high school students around Waukesha County, lasted for almost two hours in front of the Brookfield Public Library on Calhoun Road.

Rayyana Hassad, a junior at Brookfield Central who helped organize the event, said this event was about highlighting issues she feels many in the predominantly white city have ignored.

"Having this protest in Brookfield kind of puts it in their faces, knowing that racism is a huge issue, and their silence and their ignorance is actually contributing to it," Hassad said. 

The event was canceled by one of the initial organizers after police informed a student of threats against the protest. The protest, however, went on as planned and without any incidents.

Read the full story here.

— Samantha Hendrickson and Evan Casey

6:30 p.m.: Protesters march through east side

Protesters gathered at Cathedral Square and marched north on Prospect Avenue on Thursday. And like many of the recent protests in Milwaukee, the hundreds that participated were mostly white. 

Thomas Franecki, 22, one of the organizers and a biracial resident of Milwaukee, said the death of George Floyd which sparked nationwide protest tugged at the “heartstrings" of non-black people.

“It’s something that was never in their face,” Franecki said adding social media has played a big part in spreading information about Floyd’s death.

“If that video hadn’t gone viral, if that video hadn’t been posted, (the incident) wouldn’t have been as big as it was. So I think that’s why it’s different this time… Social media has gained its own hold on the subject.”

Many have wondered about what should be done to gain better relationships between the police and minority communities. 

As a start, Franecki said tax money shouldn’t be used to buy police military style weapons or vehicles but instead that money should be put in the community. 

6 p.m.: Two groups of protesters move through Milwaukee

At least two groups of protesters were marching through Milwaukee as of 6 p.m.

One group was headed west on West North Avenue, reportedly toward Tosa. They were near the intersection with North Street.

Another group was headed south on North Humboldt Boulevard, traveling through the east side.

5:25 p.m.: Protesters march west to Wauwatosa

A group of protesters was headed west through Milwaukee on West North Avenue, reportedly toward Wauwatosa, as of 5:25 p.m.

5:20 p.m.: UWM Chancellor releases statement on campus police's role in protest response

UWM Chancellor Mark Mone released a statement Thursday saying the campus police department has not worked with any local police departments to hold people who were involved in or arrested during recent protests near the university. 

UWM officers stayed near campus to protect people and property there, Mone said.

However, UWM police, like most local departments, has mutual aid agreements with agencies in Milwaukee County and beyond, and the chancellor said the department would help if asked under those agreements. Past examples include UWM police helping during the mass shooting at the Sikh temple in Oak Creek, and UWM police seeking help from Milwaukee police when a freshman student went missing several months ago. 

"These types of agreements are in the interest of community and officer safety and severing the mutual aid agreement is not in the best interest of our campus or our students," Mone wrote.

— Devi Shastri

5:15 p.m.: 14 of 15 Common Council members call for formal investigation into kneeling incident

Fourteen out of the 15 members of the Milwaukee Common Council on Thursday called for a formal Fire and Police Commission investigation into a June 2 incident involving a police officer who restrained a protester using a knee to the neck and head.

The city leaders said they "find the officer's conduct unacceptable."

"The knee restraint hold helped to cause the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis when a police officer forcefully pushed on his neck for nearly 10 minutes on May 25th, and it seems more than obvious that the hold should not be used by law enforcement under any circumstances," they said in a statement. "We also ask that the officer involved in the incident be removed from crowd control duty for the remainder of the protests and unrest."

The alders urged protesters who have experienced "mistreatment, abuse or injury at the hands of Milwaukee Police" to contact the FPC and look into filing a complaint.

The letter was signed by all of the aldermen except for Ald. Scott Spiker.

That includes Council President Cavalier Johnson and Alds Milele Coggs, Russell W. Stamper, II, Chantia Lewis, Khalif Rainey, Nikiya Dodd, Ashanti Hamilton, Marina Dimitrijevic, Robert Bauman, Mark Borkowski, Nik Kovac, José Pérez, Michael Murphy and JoCasta Zamarripa.

— Mary Spicuzza

3:15 p.m. Protest leader confronts Milwaukee police about violence

While on a walk with other police officers around the north side Thursday, Milwaukee Police Chief Alfonso Morales appeared to ignore a request Tuesday from a prominent protest leader to “walk with the people.”

Protest organizer Frank Sensabaugh, who is more commonly known as Frank Nitty, asked Morales to join his march after the officers stopped at Gee’s Clippers, a well-known barber shop and community gathering spot on North King Drive. Nitty happened to be inside the barber shop at the time.

Morales continued walking with his group of officers, but police spokeswoman Sgt. Sheronda Grant stayed to talk with Nitty, who voiced his concerns about the way Milwaukee officers and sheriff’s deputies responded to civil unrest on Tuesday. 

Nitty has said sheriff's deputies threw him to the ground Tuesday when a crowd walked onto the Hoan Bridge. Later that day officers fired tear gas at protesters during a standoff at North 6th Street and West McKinley Avenue.

“We were peaceful for three days and didn’t touch a cop,” Nitty told Grant. “Then on the fourth day they tear gassed us and spike stripped our cars.”

Grant said that some people in the crowd are “agitators” told Nitty the agitators might not be members of his marches. They might be from outside the city, she said. But Nitty disagreed, saying that “rarely happens.”

“People are throwing stuff at our cops,” Grant told him.

Nitty also disagreed with the police department’s depiction of the protesters. Police previously said people threw rocks, glass and even a Molotov cocktail at officers during the Tuesday confrontation at 6th and McKinley. Many observers have raised skepticism about the Molotov cocktail allegation.

“They’re trying to make us something we’re not,” Nitty said.

Nitty has previously called on Mayor Tom Barrett and Milwaukee County Sheriff Earnell Lucas to join the marches.

“If we’re going to march together, then we need to march together against these injustices,” Nitty said. “If you’re going to go on TV and say that you stand for these injustices and that you stand with us, then really come out here and stand with us. Help us keep us safe, help us keep us safe.”

Morales was on a walk through the east side with former Milwaukee police officer and pastor Marlon Lock. They were joined by some members of the League of Martin, an organization of African American police officers.

— Natallie St. Onge

2:47 p.m.: Protester, MPD officers struck by car early Thursday

A protester and two Milwaukee police officers were struck by a car shortly after 3 a.m. Thursday on W. Locust Street, police said.

Police said that as officers were arresting several protesters who were blocking traffic, a vehicle struck the two officers and the protester.

"The two officers fell to the ground after being struck and the citizen was dragged underneath the vehicle for several feet," police said in a statement. "The driver of the striking vehicle failed to stop at the scene to render aid or provide his information and fled the scene."

Police said the protester who was struck, a 27-year-old Milwaukee man, sustained serious injuries and was taken to a hospital for treatment. He is in stable condition, police said.

The citizen was a 27-year-old man from Milwaukee. He sustained serious injuries and was transported to a local hospital for treatment. He is listed in stable condition.

The officers, a 29-year-old male with over 4 years of service and a 46-year-old male with more than 3 years of service, sustained non-life threatening injuries and were taken to a hospital.

Police said the vehicle involved in the incident was found in Village of Butler in Waukesha County.

A 27-year-old man, a 21-year-old female and a 23-year-old female were arrested, and criminal charges will be referred to the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office, police said.

—Mary Spicuzza

2:15 p.m.: Alvin Cole's family speaks out at rally

Tracy Cole grabbed the microphone on Thursday in front of the Milwaukee Police Administration building with a quiver in her voice. She was nervous. 

Cole and other members of the Cole family have been relatively silent since 17-year-old Alvin Cole, her son, was killed by a Wauwatosa police officer on Feb. 2 in the Mayfair Mall parking lot.  

Wauwatosa police said Cole had a handgun when he was shot five times while running through the Mayfair parking lot following a disturbance inside the mall.

Cole fired first with a stolen gun, according to police. He was wearing a fanny pack, which contained an extended magazine with 35 rounds in it.

“I have five kids,” Cole told the crowd of about 50 people, but then corrected herself. “I had five kids.” 

The Cole family has been seeking answers from the Milwaukee Police Department, the outside agency assigned to investigating the case, and said the officer that killed Alvin Cole is connected to two other officer-involved deaths.

The death of George Floyd and the subsequent civil unrest has lead the Cole family to become more vocal about Alvin. 

“I cry every night, I can’t function,” Cole said. “That was my baby boy. No, Alvin was not brought into a broken home. He was raised by both parents in the house, me and my husband have been married for 27 years.” 

Tracy Cole, mother of Alvin Cole who was killed by a Wauwatosa police officer in February, addresses the crowd in front of the Milwaukee Police Department Administrative Building on Thursday, June 4, 2020.

Cole went on to talk about how her other children have graduated high school, college, gotten married and had children of their own, and that Alvin Cole was planning on attending Jackson State University with his older sister. 

“Alvin was about to graduate from high school this year,” Cole said. “He was graduating from high school at an early age, a very smart and intelligent boy.” 

The Cole family has organized a march planned for Saturday at 4 p.m. at the intersection of 76th and Burleigh streets.  

“I’m not going to sleep until I receive justice for my son,” Cole said.

 - Ricardo Torres

1:45 p.m.: MCTS will suspend service early 

The Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) announced it will temporarily suspend all bus service starting at 10:00 p.m. on Thursday.

Service will be suspended at the same time on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Service begins in the mornings as scheduled.

Daily protest marches in the city's streets have disrupted bus routes.

“We understand that the suspension of service will be an inconvenience to riders who use the bus to get to and from work in the late-night hours,” MCTS managing director Dan Boehm said. “But we had to make this difficult decision in order to help ensure the safety of our employees, passengers and those that are protesting to make their voices heard.” 

MCTS will post any updates on its social media accounts.

12:30 p.m.: Protest scheduled for 4 p.m. at Reservoir Park

The Riverwest Solidarity March: Justice for George is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. 

The group plans to meet on the E. Meinecke Ave. side of Reservoir Park in Riverwest.

The group plans to leave from there and meet up with other organized protests in the city.

Noon: Protest planned for Cathedral Square Park

Another protest march is scheduled to begin at Cathedral Square Park at 4 p.m.

The group will start to gather at 3 p.m. and will amass donated supplies.

The marching route is not predetermined and will be planned with safety as the highest priority, according to the group's organizers.

In the outrage that has erupted since George Floyd's death, Milwaukee has seen a mix of peaceful and reckless protesters.

11:15 a.m. Businesses display signs that they are "black-owned"

Businesses along Milwaukee's Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. are displaying yellow signs with black borders with these words:

Local Black Owned Business. We Are in this Together

#JUSTICEFORGEORGE

The signs, according to Skybox Sports bar owner Royce Lockett, came from Deshae Agee, the executive director of the Historic King Drive Business Improvement District. 

Read more here.

10:45 a.m. Use of force in arrest under review

The use of force police officers used to arrest a protester at 6th Street and McKinley Avenue on Tuesday is under review by the Milwaukee Police Department.

In an overnight news release, the department announced it would examine the force used by two officers as they arrested a 28-year-old Milwaukee man lying on his stomach during the tense Tuesday standoff at the downtown intersection.

Video of the arrest circulating on social media shows a protester lying facedown as two officers attempt to cuff his hands. The video shows the officers crouching over the protester and one of them appears to briefly apply pressure onto the man’s back or neck area before adjusting his weight.

Read more here.

10 a.m.: Packers release powerful video

Most college and professional sports teams have released statements calling for unity in the wake of George Floyd’s death last week in custody of the Minneapolis Police Department.

The Green Bay Packers made their statement with a powerful video released Thursday morning. 

The one-minute, 55-second clip directly addresses Floyd’s death and the need for social and policy reform. The video includes a dozen players, including quarterback Aaron Rodgers, along with head coach Matt LaFleur.

Read more and see the video here.

Recap: Wednesday, June 3

Protests in Milwaukee and Madison were relatively peaceful Wednesday, a day after a dramatic standoff Tuesday evening in which police in riot gear fired several tear gas canisters and rubber bullets at protesters near North 6th Street and West McKinley Avenue and in which police said an improvised explosive device had been thrown at officers. 

Milwaukee police late Wednesday released body camera footage that the department said showed protesters throwing objects at officers Tuesday evening as the officers “stood by.” 

It also shows the police response, including an officer seen firing a weapon in the direction of protesters.

Earlier Wednesday, several peaceful marches were held in metro Milwaukee, including one by the Islamic Society of Milwaukee that called for justice for victims of police violence. In Madison, artists and business owners created murals on State Street buildings where vandals earlier in the week defaced walls and broke windows, in effect making something beautiful out of ugliness.

Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett Wednesday evening said he wanted reported incidents between law enforcement and protesters to be “reviewed immediately.”

“It’s important to promptly examine the body camera footage and see what precipitated these actions. The videos raise questions and we must have all the information,” he said.

Barrett said he supports protesters’ right to voice their concerns but also expects peace in the community. 

And Gov. Tony Evers said that people in Wisconsin and throughout the country are making their voices heard.

"A lot of the people that are out there exercising their First Amendment rights are all colors and races," Evers said in an interview with Journal Sentinel reporters and editors.