Gov. Evers authorizes 500 Wisconsin National Guard soldiers ahead of Rittenhouse closing arguments

“We continue to be in close contact with our partners at the local level to ensure the state provides support and resources to help keep the Kenosha community and greater area safe," Evers said in a statement. “The Kenosha community has been strong, resilient, and has come together through incredibly difficult times these past two years, and that healing is still ongoing. I urge folks who are otherwise not from the area to please respect the community by reconsidering any plans to travel there and encourage those who might choose to assemble and exercise their First Amendment rights to do so safely and peacefully."

“We stand ready to support our communities during times of need." Maj. Gen. Paul Knapp Wisconsin's adjutant general. said in the same statement released by the governor's office. “In close coordination with the governor, we have assembled approximately 500 soldiers to help keep the Kenosha community safe, should a request from our local partners come in."

National Guard personnel will be stationed outside Kenosha on standby for any requests by local law enforcement agencies. As in similar situations last year, soldiers will only be able to deploy at the request of local authorities. “The National Guard may not be used to impede the ability of people to peacefully protest or impede the ability of the media to report," according to Evers' office.

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