"Approximately 500 Wisconsin Army National Guard troops are reporting for state active duty," Wisconsin National Guard officials wrote in a Friday statement.
The troops will be stationed outside Kenosha, where Rittenhouse is on trial for killing two people and injuring a third in August 2020, during protests that erupted following the officer-involved shooting of Jacob Blake. Rittenhouse, who was 17 at the time, has said he went there to protect property after demonstrators set fires and looted businesses.
Anticipating a verdict as early as Monday, local authorities are on standby for protests in the wake of an acquittal or mistrial. Maj. Gen. Paul Knapp, Wisconsin's adjutant general, said:
"We stand ready to support our communities during times of need. 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."













Comment: A programmed public fire keg is ready to ignite, as tensions rise, sides are drawn and the verdict is announced.
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