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After two nights of rioting, Wisconsin’s governor is drawing a line between protesters and the people who are looting and burning buildings in Kenosha. Gov. Tony Evers on Aug. 25 said the First Amendment protects freedom of speech and the right to assemble. He said that is diff erent than setting fi res and stealing whatever you can. “There remains a line between peaceful assembly and what we saw [Aug. 24] night that put individuals, families and businesses in danger,” Evers said in a statement. The governor’s words come after two nights of violence in the streets in Kenosha following the shooting Aug. 23 of 29-year-old Jacob Blake by Kenosha police offi cers. Blake, who had an active warrant at the time, was seen on video fi ghting off offi cers and moving to get into his car when the offi cer shot him. Evers once again said protests in Kenosha and other cities are alright. “We cannot forget the reason why these protests began, and what we have seen play out over the last two nights and many nights this year is the pain, anguish and exhaustion of being Black in our state and country,” the governor’s statement read. “But as I said [Aug. 24], and as I’ll reiterate [Aug. 25], everyone should be able to exercise their fundamental right—whether a protester or member of the press—peacefully and safely. We cannot allow the cycle of systemic racism and injustice to continue. We also cannot continue going down this path of damage and destruction.” The governor’s statement follows a number of Republicans who criticized the governor for his initial comments that seemed to blame police for Aug. 23’s shooting. Sen. Chris Kapenga, R-Delafi eld, on Aug. 25 said the governor is a day late to the calls for peace and calm. “Following the shooting of Jacob Blake, Governor Evers issued a statement designed to fan the fl ames of outrage without having any of the details necessary to make such a judgment,” Kapenga said in his own statement. “In these situations, we should be getting facts through the investigatory process before rushing to judgment for political gain. If police offi cers break the law, then they should be held accountable to the full extent of the law, and vice versa.” Kapenga said his statehouse offi ce was trashed by an angry mob the night of Aug. 24 or early Aug. 25. Madison saw its own protests and riots after Blake’s death. A mob there looted stores on State Street, set fi res and took their anger back to the State Capitol on Aug. 24 and overnight Aug. 25. Wisconsin Republican U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson said the violence in the streets must not be allowed to continue. Johnson said Evers needs to call up more Wisconsin National Guard troops to protect both cities. “Peaceful protesting is a constitutionally protected form of free speech. Rioting is not. It must not be allowed to continue,” Johnson said.

We thank The Center Square for reprint permission.

Crash Champions Enters Missouri

Crash Champions announced Sept. 21 its entry into Missouri with the acquisition of Dodson Williams Automotive in Springfi eld, MO. Dodson Williams’ two locations, at 502 W. Walnut and 2916 W. Republic, have been leaders in collision repair throughout the Springfi eld area for four decades. “Crash Champions has beenlooking to enter the Springfi eld, MO, market, and we could not have found a better partner than Dodson-Williams Automotive to continue our quest to be the collision company of choice for our mutual teammates and customers,” said Alan Saviano, COO of Crash Champions. With this acquisition, the Crash Champions organization grows to 42 locations in fi ve states: California, Illinois, Missouri, Ohio and Wisconsin. For more information about Crash Champions or to fi nd a facility near you, please visit www. crashchampions.com. You can also visit follow them on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

Source: Crash Champions

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