Shorewood Teen Speaks Out Following Spitting Incident

SHORWEOOD, WI — Shorewood High School student Eric Lucas said Monday that he is "mentally and physically shaken" after authorities say Shorewood attorney Stephanie Rapkin spat on him during a George Floyd-related protest march on Saturday.

Rapkin now stands accused of spitting on Lucas Saturday, pushing a protester Sunday, and kneeing an officer in the groin during an arrest.

Speaking before reporters in a Monday morning news conference also hosted by school officials, Lucas said "I feel disappointed in feeling unloved by individuals who I have done no harm to," he said. "Our family does not hate, but does request that justice be prompt and appropriate."

Lucas was joined during the conference by Shorewood Superintendent of Schools Bryan Davis, School Board President Paru Shah and State Rep. David Bowen who represents Milwaukee.

"We stand in solidarity with Eric, and his family and all of our students and families in our school district. It is important for our students to be safe in our community," Davis said Monday. "We know that many people of color experience racism in our village and across the North Shore. We are here to name this horrific act as a hate crime and advocate for its justice."

Bowen praised the effort of the marchers on Saturday, while also saying that meaningful progress was not going to be easy.

"This was their crash course in opposition, this is not going to be easy, and if anybody wants the nice way forward, that is not how we are going to fix this situation," Bowen said.

Shah praised Eric for his bravery in helping to lead Saturday's march.

"We all need to continue to be vigilant in identifying and fighting against racist behaviors, practices and policies when we see them," she said.

Incidents Captured On Video, In Photographs

Based on video footage captured by multiple eyewitnesses, a peaceful protest march was heading down N. Oakland Ave. Saturday at about 4:30 p.m. in Shorewood when Rapkin pulled her car across traffic lanes in an attempt to block the protest from marching further.

Footage shows Rapkin get out of her car, walk to the sidewalk and begin shouting at protesters, who quickly began to form around her.

As members of the crowd edge closer, video shows Rapkin spit on one of the protesters, later identified as Lucas.

In the video, protesters in the immediate area begin to encircle Rapkin, however several members of the group extend their arms to hold the group at bay, giving Rapkin a few feet of distance between her and the demonstrators she had been confronting on the sidewalk.

Shorewood police eventually caught up with Rapkin at her home at 10 p.m. Saturday. According to multiple reports, police arrested her on suspicion of battery and disorderly conduct related to the incident earlier that day.