Wisconsin National Guard 'Concludes Mission' Following Protests

MILWAUKEE, WI — After a week that saw peaceful, and some not-so-peaceful demonstrations in memory of George Floyd, Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers said the Wisconsin National Guard has conculded its mission in the state. The Wisconsin National Guard was deployed to several hotspots over the last week to preserve public safety and protesters when peaceful marches gave way to several incidents of civil unrest and property damage.

Authorities said nearly 1,500 troops mobilized over the last week in response to requests for Wisconsin National Guard assistance. About 125 troops originally mobilized to state active duty the evening of May 30 in Milwaukee when civil authorities in Milwaukee requested the Guard's assistance.

Local officials in Milwaukee said the Guard completed its mission in Milwaukee on Monday.

Hundreds of additional troops mobilized as the Wisconsin National Guard received requests for assistance from civil authorities in Madison, Green Bay, Kenosha, and Racine.

The Guard concluded its missions in Green Bay and Racine on June 8, while additional troops remained on duty to support Madison into the evening of June 8. The Guard's mission to support civil authorities in Kenosha concluded last week.

“This is a watershed moment for our nation, one that requires everyone being willing to come together. I am encouraged by the peaceful protesters who continue to make their voices heard and demand change, and I am grateful for the citizen soldiers of the Wisconsin National Guard whose important mission helped keep our communities safe,” Evers said in a statement.

“What we have seen in our community over the past several weeks is a call for radical, much needed change. I thank the organizers on the ground who remained peaceful while exercising their right to assemble and make their voices heard. I also recognize the citizen-soldiers of the Wisconsin National Guard for their cooperation in addressing the rapidly evolving events over the past week,” said Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley. “As we move forward, Milwaukee County is determined to examine its own policies and practices to advance racial equity and justice. The time for action is now.”