Wauwatosa police said gas was deployed by law enforcement Wednesday night, Oct. 7 after “an unlawful assembly” was declared near North Avenue and Swan Boulevard. This, after Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm earlier Wednesday announced suspended Officer Joseph Mensah will not face charges in the February fatal shooting of Alvin Cole, 17, outside Mayfair Mall.
More gas was deployed shortly before 11 p.m. near 102nd Street and Melvina Avenue, police said, “in an effort to disperse the crowd.”
Gas is deployed after Wauwatosa police said an "unlawful assembly" was declared near North Avenue and Swan Boulevard Wednesday night. https://t.co/3uMbzLTOFw pic.twitter.com/N1ibCerrrC
— FOX6 News (@fox6now) October 8, 2020
Police said individuals were “throwing large rocks at law enforcement and buildings” near North and Swan, advising residents to shelter in their homes.
A curfew took effect at 7 p.m. Wednesday, with police noting everyone should stay home until 6 a.m. Thursday, except those going to and from work.
Protesters marched in a mostly peaceful manner Wednesday, first making their way onto the freeway before reaching Wauwatosa, some carrying signs, chanting “Black Lives Matter” and “no justice, no peace,” among other messages.
Shortly after 8:30 p.m., outside Wauwatosa City Hall, protesters were met by police, deputies and National Guard members in riot gear, where the protest was deemed “an unlawful assembly.”
