KENOSHA, Wis (NBC 26) -- Monday night's protest in Kenosha, Wisconsin called for justice in the officer-involved shooting of Jacob Blake. The protests ultimately sparked into riots in the evening, as several businesses and vehicles were burned in the aftermath of what began as a peaceful protest. On Tuesday, two Black Lives Matter groups from northeast Wisconsin shared what they hope people are thinking about in the wake of what started as a peaceful protest.
The protests in Kenosha started peacefully on Monday evening, but by night's fall, it turned destructive.
"It was like raw emotion, raw passion, raw rage," says Aaron Bailey the Chairman of LUV, The Lakeshore United Visionaries. Bailey is also the 7th District Alderman of the Manitowoc City Council.
Alderman Bailey represents LUV, a group of people in Manitowoc who came together following the Black Lives Matter movement. He says that he wanted to be present for the protest in Kenosha to not only peacefully protest but also to bear witness.
"You see the kids just riding around just looking to cause trouble who had no rhyme or reason. I mean there was a lot of people who came from different places."
Once the burning of businesses and cars started to become apparent to those peacefully protesting in the streets, Bailey and other BLM movements say that the initial intention of what many were there to do had turned destructive.
"We just wanted to show up in solidarity with our brothers and sisters throughout the state and let them know we support them," says Abby Ringeo of Green Bay who attended the protest.
Abby and Dejahnae Williams of the Black Lives United movement from Green Bay both felt compelled to make the trip to Kenosha.
"We keep doing what we're doing, we keep protesting and marching because things need to change," says Dejahnae Williams.
While the damage and destruction will make the headlines, many BLM groups hope the public will realize that many went to Kenosha for change and justice.
"Nobody died and they were able to control the crowd (on Monday) but you mean to tell me police officers can't deal with a fleeing suspect without shooting him in his back?" Asks Bailey.
"That's why people are protesting. That's why people are hurt and angry is because we're trying to tell you guys to fix this problem," adds Williams.
