(Note: this appeared in the RightWisconsin morning newsletter. You can subscribe here.)
The city of Wauwatosa is bracing for possible riots with the expected announcement that the shooting of Alvin Cole by Police Officer Joseph Mensah was justified given that Cole had a pistol when he was killed in the parking lot of Mayfair Mall. Already city businesses are boarding up their windows bracing for the worst.
Bonnie Lee, the Republican candidate for the state Assembly in the critical 14th Assembly District, issued the following statement this morning:
“As we brace for the quickly approaching announcement regarding Officer Mensah, I would like to call for peace in our city, home to many residents and local businesses. It is important for all of us to work through this difficult time, striving for order in our community. Civil unrest and chaos will postpone the healing that is so needed in our city” said Lee.
“Please join me in praying for the peace of our city for wise, brave leadership, for the protection of residents and police officers, for the deterrence of those with violent and destructive intent, and for an unwavering commitment to do the hard work of reconciliation and healing. Peace and prosperity in our beloved city depends upon it.”
Her opponent Rep. Robyn Vining (D-14), who represents part of Wauwatosa, has so far been consistent on the violence and rioting in Wauwatosa by maintaining her silence.
Perhaps that’s the real reason Vining did not want to address the Wauwatosa Chamber of Commerce the other day. Somebody might have asked her where she has been when the protests turned violent in her city, and whether or not she actually supports the police department.
We don’t expect Vining to confront the mob that threatens Wauwatosa. But is it too much to ask her to call for peace before the next round of rioting and looting strikes her constituents?
