"We have to try to heal:" Maria Hamilton, mother of Dontre, one of several moms to speak at DNC
PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania -- The Democratic National Convention begins Monday, July 25th in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania -- and a key message Democrats will likely emphasize will hit close to home among voters here in Wisconsin.
Officer-involved shootings in southeastern Wisconsin are sparking increasing outrage in the community.
On Saturday, July 23rd, protesters marched through Mayfair Mall following the shooting death of Jay Anderson.
Protest at Mayfair Mall Saturday, July 23rd over death of Jay Anderson
Anderson died after an officer-involved shooting in Wauwatosa early on Thursday, June 23rd. Wauwatosa police say an officer saw a suspicious vehicle in Madison Park early that morning -- Anderson was alone inside the car. Police say the officer spotted a gun in Anderson's possession and feared for his safety, firing his own weapon and hitting Anderson -- who later died from his injuries.
This is a local case that will soon be in the national spotlight.
Maria Hamilton
"We have to try to heal from this and pursue justice," Maria Hamilton said.
Maria Hamilton is among several mothers who will take the stage at the Democratic National Convention who have lost children at the hands of law enforcement officials. Her son, Dontre Hamilton was shot and killed by former Milwaukee Police Officer Christopher Manney in Red Arrow Park in April of 2014.
Dontre Hamilton and Christopher Manney
In her speech during the DNC on Tuesday, July 26th, Maria Hamilton says she will mention Jay Anderson's recent death, along with the fatal shooting of Christopher Davis in February by a Walworth County Sheriff's deputy in East Troy.
"Because once again we have two families that are broken-hearted that their loved ones were taken for doing nothing wrong," Hamilton said.
Last week, speakers at the Republican National Convention pushed a different message.
Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke speaks at RNC
Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke started his speech talking about the five officers murdered during what was a peaceful protest in downtown Dallas on July 7th.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, I would like to make something very clear: Blue Lives Matter!" Sheriff Clarke said.
UWM Professor Mordecai Lee predicts the debate between "black lives" vs. "blue lives" will be one more way voters can distinguish between the two parties' agendas.
"In that respect, I think that`s going to be a perfect choice for voters. Because I bet here in Milwaukee, there are some voters who say, 'blue lives matter over black lives,' and some are going to say, 'black lives matter over blue lives,'" Lee said.
Lee said Wisconsin is not among the list of the top five battleground states right now.
Democratic National Convention
Recent polls show voters here in Wisconsin favoring Hillary Clinton -- but Lee predicts candidates will come to Wisconsin once we get closer to November -- when the race will likely get tighter.