The demonstrations were marked by daily peaceful protesting followed by confrontations with law enforcement, rioting, and arson at night.

Further confrontations arose when armed militia members, whom Kenosha County Sheriff David Beth described as "like a group of vigilantes", arrived with the express intent to protect businesses in the city.

[13] Jacob Blake is an African-American man who was shot seven times during an arrest by police officer Rusten Sheskey[14][15] in Kenosha on August 23, 2020.

[17] In an interview, Blake said that during the scuffle he picked up a "pocket knife" that had fallen from his pants and was trying to put it in his vehicle when he was shot.

[27] Police scanners said that protesters had damaged a Lenco BearCat, and a local newspaper posted a video appearing to show an officer being knocked out with a brick.

[33] The county announced a curfew that went into effect at 8 p.m.[34] Metra suspended commuter rail service north of Waukegan station.

[33] Protesters broke a door off its hinges in an effort to enter the Public Safety Building before being turned back by pepper spray.

[36] Teargas was deployed for a second night starting around 8:30 p.m. in an attempt to disperse unlawful crowds gathered near the courthouse, as protesters launched fireworks at police.

[38] Arsonists targeted a Wisconsin Department of Corrections community probation and parole office[39] and the city's Danish Brotherhood Lodge.

Speakers included Blake's father, Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes, and others who called for police reform legislation.

[69] Trump engaged in a round-table discussion on community safety at Mary D. Bradford High School with protesters and supporters lining the streets during his visit.

[71][72] City property valued at $2 million was destroyed by rioters, including garbage trucks, street lights and traffic signals.

This includes the Parole and Corrections office, Danish Brotherhood Lodge, B&L Furniture, and Rodes Camera Store, which were burned down.

[7][74] On October 2, 2020, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives released photos and videos of suspected arsonists, offering up to $5,000 reward for each person identified.

It started on August 26 when the Milwaukee Bucks of the National Basketball Association (NBA) refused to take the court for a playoff game.

[86] The strikes extended into August 27 and 28 when players from the National Hockey League (NHL) refused to play their playoff games.

[87] In response to these events, nine National Football League (NFL) teams canceled their practices scheduled for August 27.

[88] During the Kenosha unrest, there were similar protests and riots in Madison,[46][89] Atlanta,[90] Minneapolis,[91] New York City,[92][93] and Philadelphia.

[104] On January 5, Kenosha County District Attorney Michael Graveley announced that no criminal charges would be filed against Sheskey, any other officers, or Blake.

No violence was reported in the city and Blake's family held a peaceful march on January 11 calling for Sheskey to be fired.

That afternoon, the National Guard was pulled out of Kenosha and deployed to Madison due to the onset of the 2021 United States inauguration week protests.