Marchers make their way up the I-43 on ramp from W. McKinley Ave. on Friday. The Wisconsin National Guard is ready to respond if needed to protests related to the fatal shooting of Dontre Hamilton. Credit: John Klein

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The Wisconsin National Guard began calling up members over the weekend to respond, if needed, to protests in Milwaukee related to the fatal shooting of Dontre Hamilton by a Milwaukee police officer.

Milwaukee County Sheriff David A. Clarke Jr. made the request, which was approved by Gov. Scott Walker, Maj. Paul Rickert, the Guard's director of communications, said Sunday.

"We are currently making preparations to stage National Guard members and will be ready to respond rapidly if needed," Rickert said. "We don't have a mission yet but should we be needed, we will be able to send those forces."

Clarke's request Saturday came one day after protesters blocked traffic on I-43, an action that resulted in the arrest of 74 people.

Hamilton's death has prompted a series of protests in downtown Milwaukee. Demonstrators have called for Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm to issue charges against former officer Christopher Manney in the fatal shooting of Hamilton on April 30 in Red Arrow Park.

During a confrontation at the park, Hamilton gained control of Manney's baton and struck the officer at least once before Manney fired, shooting Hamilton 14 times. A charging decisions seems to be drawing near, and Milwaukee Police Chief Edward Flynn said Saturday that he believed a decision would be made "sometime in the next few days."

Flynn also described the sheriff's request as a "preparatory move."

"We don't have a mission for (the Guard)," Flynn said Saturday. "We don't anticipate using them for city assets, but I also recognize there are far-flung county assets that may need protection. ... From my point of view, I think we are positioned to respond appropriately to whatever response develops regarding the DA's decision."

When asked about the National Guard request on Sunday, a spokeswoman said the sheriff will not discuss operational security plans.

Protesters have regularly gathered for rallies in Red Arrow Park since August, but Friday's was the first event to end in mass arrests.

Those who participated in the rally and march on Friday gathered at All Peoples Church in Riverwest on Sunday evening to share their experiences, exchange information and formulate a plan to fight the citations.

Protesters are facing costs of roughly $40,000 in tickets and bail from the arrests, Jennifer Epps Addison of the nonprofit group Wisconsin Jobs Now said Saturday.

Flynn said of the 69 adults who he knew were arrested in connection with Friday's protest, about 25% were from "out of town."