Dec. 30, 2020 9:05p
(WGTD)---In advance of a charging decision in the Jacob Blake case, Kenosha Mayor John Antaramian wants the city council to pre-authorize a state of emergency for the city.
At its regularly scheduled meeting Monday night, alders will consider a resolution from the mayor that would automatically give him emergency powers as soon as Kenosha County District Attorney Michael Graveley announces whether the officer who shot Jacob Blake will face charges.
The resolution states that Antaramian was informed by Graveley in a Tuesday phone call that the announcement will come within the first two weeks of January.
The resolution would automatically expire eight days after the declaration would take effect.
Under such a declaration, Antaramian would be able to do such things as unilaterally make arrangements for emergency services, issue a curfew and close streets, parks and other city facilities.
In an op-ed published by the Kenosha News recently, Antaramian and Kenosha Police Chief Daniel Miskinis said that a plan is in place for dealing with any potential unrest that might follow the announcement. "We will not--we can not--tolerate the kind of violence we saw on our streets earlier this year and we will take definitive steps to protect our residents and businesses."
No matter what the decision, they urged people to express their opinions lawfully and peacefully.
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