LANSING — In response to a request from Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Thursday, Aug. 27, authorized two companies of the Michigan National Guard to provide support in Wisconsin, as the city of Kenosha faced protests and violence after the police shooting of Jacob Blake on Sunday, Aug. 23.

A Thursday release from Whitmer’s office stated that the troops will operate under State Active Duty through an Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC). They are not federalized, and Whitmer can call them back to Michigan at any time.

Evers requested additional National Guard troops, equipment and resources from Arizona, Michigan and Alabama under the Emergency Management Assistance Compact.

On Aug. 25, Evers declared a state of emergency , in response to what his office referred to as protests in communities across Wisconsin. His Executive Order No. 86 proclaimed a state of emergency in Wisconsin, Evers’ office stated on Wednesday, directing state agencies to continue assisting the state response, and calls active duty elements of the Wisconsin National Guard to support first responders, and protect critical infrastructure and cultural institutions, Evers’ office stated.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported that on Sunday, Aug. 23, Kenosha Police Officer Rusten Sheskey shot Jacob Blake seven times in the back, after Blake walked away from officers and was attempting to enter a small SUV with his three children in the backseat. Cellphone video of the shooting exploded across social media and ignited a firestorm of sometimes violent, destructive protests in Kenosha in the days since.

“Following a request from Gov. Evers,” Whitmer said on Thursday, “I have authorized the use of two companies of the Michigan National Guard to assist civil authorities with public safety. I am confident that our guardsmen and women will work hard to keep our neighbors in Wisconsin safe while working to protect their First Amendment rights to peaceful assembly.”