MILWAUKEE - Common Council President Willie Hines found himself in an unusual position Thursday morning. 

He did a live interview on CNN to defend Milwaukee's reputation. The reason? Video of the melee after the Juneteenth celebration is now being played on the cable news networks.  

"Well, I'm very disgusted that something of this magnitude had happened and has happened," Hines said. "And unfortunately, when it makes national news it doesn't positively reflect what a great city we have."

The organizers of Juneteenth are also frustrated. Mack Weddle, who oversees the festival, said Juneteenth is not the problem. He said the issue is unruly young people who have not received home training. Weddle said he's going after the troublemakers. 

"Matter of fact," Weddle said, "I met with the police department today and we're putting a plan together and a strategy for the next year so this kind of thing does not happen again."

Weddle said he feels terrible for the man who was dragged out of his car and beaten. "I really felt bad for the young man who was caught up in that foolishness. I prayed for him."

Despite all of the problems, Hines and Weddle are urging people not to give up on Juneteenth because of all the good it does in the community. Said Hines of the violence, "It does, unfortunately, stain the event. But nevertheless, it is a great event."

Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke said the problem is crime in the city as a whole.

"If you can't drive your car down any street in this city without being yanked out of it and viciously beaten, there is a problem," Clarke said.