Bucks fans react to curfew and watch party cancellation, activists rally against violence
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) - After a violent Friday night in Milwaukee, there are some changes for the weekend.
Community members are reacting to the restrictions, and the violence that ensued.
The Watch Party at Fiserv Forum for the Bucks/Celtics game 7 of the semi-finals is cancelled for Sunday, and the Mayor has imposed an emergency curfew for the weekend for those under 21.
These efforts were to reduce the possibility of more conflict after last night's violence, a situation that residents found disappointing.
"It's kinda sad, because is is the first time people were out trying to enjoy themselves, and for something like this to happen, it doesn't make me want to go out this summer at all," said one resident, Kennedy Holliman, who witnessed one of Friday night's shootings in the Deer District.
Fans in the Deer District on Saturday who spoke with CBS 58 said they agree that these measures are important.
"It's safety, it's a safety reason, so I agree with it. It's a good choice," said Bucks fan, Dan Afolabi, "It sucks, but what can you do, right?"
After 21 people were shot near the Deer District after game six, officials say these changes are necessary, but some fans wonder if temporary restrictions are enough.
"It's a start. It's something that needs to be done to cool everybody down, but we're in need of more action," Afolabi said.
What is typically a lively scene outside the stadium is quiet for the weekend.
Instead on Saturday, community activists held rally just outside the doors of Fiserv Forum, calling for a stop to the violence.
"We need to hold people accountable, and we are going to hold people accountable, but it's a systematic issue. So, we need everybody to shift the culture," one activist said.
The group spoke words of passion, poetry and prayer with a common goal of fighting against gun violence in all parts of the city.
"It's a movement to save lives. It's a movement to bring hope. It's a movement to bring healing. It's a movement to save our city," another activist chanted.
Milwaukee police said they will be enforcing the curfew this weekend with pricey citations.