Biden's Kenosha visit aims to draw contrast with Pres. Trump handling of race, law enforcement
Updated: 5:36 p.m. on Sept. 3, 2020
KENOSHA, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden visited Kenosha Thursday, Sept. 3, a city torn by the police shooting of Jacob Blake, and followed by a visit from President Donald Trump Tuesday, Sept. 1.
Prior to arriving in Kenosha, Biden along with his wife Dr. Jill Biden, met with members of the Blake family at General Mitchell Airport. The meeting lasted about an hour, and the campaign did not provide a readout of the meeting.
In Kenosha, Biden held a meeting at Grace Lutheran Church for a town hall style conversation. More than a dozen or so community members shared concerns and experiences.
While the shooting of Blake sparked unrest, community members also discussed deeper roots of underlying issues in the community.
Biden didn't mention Pres. Trump by name, but attempted to draw a contrast with how he handles issues of race in America compared to his opponents.
"The generic point I'm making is, not all his fault, but it legitimizes, it legitimizes a dark side of human nature. And what it did though, it also exposed, what had not been paid enough attention to, the institutionalized racism in the united states still exists, has existed for 400 years," Biden said.
Biden said his conversation with Blake and his family was impactful.
"Blake said nothing was going to defeat him," Biden said. "What I came away with overwhelmed by sense of resilience and optimism that they have."
In a statement, Attorney Ben Crumps said the Blake family was grateful and impressed with the former VP's willingness to listen. Biden listened to community members concern about race in Kenosha, and followed with offering plans that he would put in place if he were persdient.
"The changes we want has to be more in effect," Biden said.
One community member challenged that there's been enough talk and not enough concrete action.
"We hear so many people say, 'Oh we’re going to give you this, we’re going to give you that,' but we have yet to see action," said Portia Bennett, of Kenosha.
Biden said his presidency will not be able to solve racism in the country, but offered a positive outlook on what the future could be under his administration.
"I really am optimistic I promise you win or lose I’m going down fighting for racial equality and equity across the board," Biden said.
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Updated: 1:55 p.m. on Sept. 3, 2020
KENOSHA, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Presidential nominee Joe Biden and his wife, Dr. Jill Biden, are in Kenosha Thursday, Sept. 3.
Biden held a community meeting in aiming to 'bring together Americans to heal and address the challenges we face'.
Watch it below:
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Published: 11:38 a.m. on Sept. 3, 2020
KENOSHA, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Democratic Presidential nominee Joe Biden and his wife, Jill, will travel to Kenosha on Thursday, September 3.
Biden is the first Democratic presidential nominee to make a campaign stop in Wisconsin since 2012.
President Donald Trump visited Kenosha on Tuesday, Sept. 1.
Biden is expected to meet with community leaders and family members of Jacob Blake, the 29-year-old man shot by a Kenosha police officer on Aug. 23. The shooting set off a new wave of protests and violent unrest.
Biden will then hold a community meeting in Kenosha aiming to 'bring together Americans to heal and address the challenges we face'.
After, they will make a local stop.
Republican's say Biden's trip is a campaign stunt and won't bring about real change.