KENOSHA — Jacob Blake's uncle spoke in front of a crowd in downtown Kenosha ahead of the election Monday night, telling voters to think of his nephew when they go to the polls.
"Tomorrow you get to cast in your vote," Justin Blake said. "Do you know what that means? That's power."
Several dozen people gathered to hear from Blake and a few other community leaders in Civic Center Park. The group listened to speakers, picked up some political gear and enjoyed food. The group also placed a wreath at the Veterans Memorial in the center of the park.
Justin Blake says Jacob is still recovering at a rehabilitation center in Illinois. Blake was shot seven times in the back by Kenosha Police Officer Rusten Sheskey back in August. The district attorney has yet to decide whether to bring charges for the officers involved.
"Little Jake deserved better, and all these families throughout the nation deserve better, and that’s what this fight’s all about," Justin Blake said.
"Tomorrow's about healing. We got a chance to vote for healing," said state Rep. David Bowen, D-Milwaukee.
Days of unrest followed Blake's shooting in August. Amid the chaos, three men were shot, and only one survived. Now 17-year-old Kyle Rittenhouse faces homicide charges in Wisconsin.
Justin Blake said he would help continue to fight for health care, education and more opportunity for people of color. As people head to the polls Tuesday, life long Kenosha resident Rochelle Anderson-Moore says she agrees the focus needs to be on positive change.
"Whoever wins, whoever loses, we still have to keep up the fight of getting our community together, getting some equity in our community," Anderson-Moore said.