United States: Kenosha riots comfort Trump voters

Audio 01:21

Carcasses of cars burnt after the riots in Kenosha (Wisconsin) following police fire on Jacob Blake, August 27, 2020. Kerem Yucel / AFP

Text by: RFI Follow

5 mins

Donald Trump was officially invested this Thursday, August 27 by the Republican Party in the race for the White House. The US president stressed that cities that experienced race riots were in Democrats' hands, citing Minneapolis, Portland, New York and Kenosha in Wisconsin for advocating "law and order." A rhetoric of fear that is taking over its constituents in Wisconsin, a key state for the November 3 election.

Publicity

Read more

with our special correspondent in Kensosha, Anne Corpet

“  I have a Trump sign in my backyard and my neighbors told me to take it off or 'they're going to attack your house!'  Mary lives along the national road that leads to Kenosha. She was shocked by the riots, but not by the intervention of armed militias, which left two dead on the sidelines of the protests . “  In this part of America, we will defend ourselves, ” she assures us. Business owners must defend themselves. Remember that there have been three days of riots, they will burn our cities. It's the radical left! So what Donald Trump is saying is the truth.  "

A little further on, the Ash family also planted an election sign in favor of the president by the side of the road. Ellen is convinced that a radical left plot is at work in America. “  What is happening right now is that a very active and irrational little group has a project, ” she says. And this project is to make America a socialist country. It is just plain sad.  "

Silent majority  "

Another voter of Donald Trump, Anna did not wish to give her last name because she fears being stigmatized: “  I have never been so afraid in my own city in all my life. I am sad, I am angry, and I am afraid of organized riots and chaos. I would like President Trump to be a little more silent, but when I see what's going on in my city and because I'm scared, I'm happy that I have the right to carry a gun.  "

For the presidential election, Anna will not let go of her champion: "  I believe that it will be seen on November 3 because many people are afraid in this city and we want to be able to defend ourselves. I think there is a silent majority. A lot of people don't say they will vote for Donald Trump. People are afraid to flaunt it because otherwise they are called racist, even if it is not true. Our Democratic governor has let us down. He did not come here. It's been four days and despite the unrest in our town, he hasn't come.  "

In the small park in downtown Kenosha, a few dozen activists from the Black Lives Matter movement  continue to gather peacefully every evening. Calm has returned, but the Kenosha riots have only strengthened Donald Trump's camp.

See also: US Presidential: Trump accepts the nomination of Republicans, attacks Biden

Newsletter Receive all the international news directly in your mailbox

I subscribe

Follow all the international news by downloading the RFI application

google-play-badge_FR

  • United States
  • Donald trump
  • Racism

On the same subject

US Presidential: Trump accepts Republican nomination, attacks Biden

Mid-day guest

United States: "The tensions in Kenosha play in favor of Donald Trump"