Anger, despair, joy: US reacts to Rittenhouse’s acquittal | Court News
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Kyle RittenhouseThe acquittal of deadly shootings of racial justice protesters last year has sparked strong (and divergent) reactions from U.S. activists and lawmakers, highlighting the political symbolism of the trial and deep divisions in the country.
Civil rights groups and Democratic activists condemned the verdict on Friday as an example of white privilege and a breach of justice, and supporters of Rittenhouse, including members of former President Donald Trump, celebrated it as a victory.
Rittenhouse shot dead two protesters and a third were injured chaotic manifestations Against the brutality of police in Kenosha, Wisconsin, a white officer paralyzes a black man, Jacob Blake, after shooting him in the back.
But in one trial He had been attracting the attention of the nation since early November, Rittenhouse and his lawyers argued self-defense and alone he used his AR-style rifle to protect himself from the protesters who were attacking him. Prosecutors accused the teenager of provoking deadly violence on August 25, 2020.
“You know very well that if Kyle Rittenhouse had been Black he would have been guilty in a heartbeat or he would have been shot dead by the police on the spot,” former Democratic presidential candidate Julian Castro wrote on Twitter.
This verdict reveals everything we have talked about for years. Rittenhouse points to the danger posed by a toxic mix of white supremacist culture that values property above human life and a wide proliferation of high-powered weapons with fewer limits than driving licenses.
– March for Our Life (@ AMarch4OurLives) November 19, 2021
“If you need an amazing example of white privilege, please see the judgment of Kyle Rittenhouse.” wrote Andy Levin, Democratic Congressman.
President Joe Biden, who said he had not seen the trial earlier on Friday, suggested he accept the verdict.
“While the Kenosha ruling will leave many Americans angry and worried, including myself, we must acknowledge that the jury has spoken out,” Biden said in a statement.
The family of Anthony Huber, one of the protesters killed by Rittenhouse, said he was heartbroken by the jury’s decision.
“It sends an unacceptable message that armed civilians can appear in any town, using the risk they create to justify the violence and then shooting people on the street,” the family said in a statement, several U.S. officials said. the media.
“We hope that decent people will join us in forcibly rejecting this message and demanding more of our legal, civil servant and justice system.”
This system of justice has once again shown that there is a system within the system that constantly strikes at “other” communities and punishes black communities for profiling and despairing. Today that system has failed us, on schedule.#Rittenhouse Judgment
– Derrick Johnson (@DerrickNAACP) November 19, 2021
Kimberley Motley and Milo Schwab, attorneys for Gaige Grosskreutz, who was wounded in the shooting, and Rittenhouse swore that the legacy of Joseph Rosenbaum, who was shot dead, would continue to be held accountable.
“At Kenosha that night, Gaige Grosskreutz, Anthony Huber and many others acted heroically,” the lawyers said in a statement.
“They were not looking for violence, but to end the violence. What we need right now is justice, not more violence. While today’s ruling may say delayed justice, it does not mean denied justice. We are committed to explaining the truth of the night and holding those responsible accountable. ”
Cori Bush, a Democratic congressman and Black Lives Matter activist, said she was “hurt,” “angry” and “heartbroken.”
The referee. Jury. Defendant.
It is white supremacy in action.
This system is not built to hold white supremacists to account. That’s why they rape blacks and browns and put them in cages while white supremacist assassins roam free.
I’m hurt. I’m angry. I broke my heart.
– Cori Bush (@CoriBush) November 19, 2021
“The verdict in the #KyleRittenhouse case is a fraud and does not do justice to those who gathered peacefully on behalf of those who lost their lives to protest against police brutality and violence,” said NAACP, the racial justice advocacy group. in a tweet.
Bernice King, racial justice activist and Martin Luther King, Jr. daughter of the head of civil rights, he tweeted A photo of a sign saying “The system is not broken”. That’s how it was built. ‘
Remember: the system works properly. The dominance of white systems has always been to protect and safeguard.
– Black Lives Matter (@Blklivesmatter) November 19, 2021
While racial justice advocates lamented the verdict, prominent right-wing figures rejoiced.
Rudy Giuliani, Trump’s ally and former mayor of New York, greeted the jury and condemned the “mainstream media” for covering the case.
Many Americans, unlike MSM and Bidenists, are just and honest people. The jury in the Rittenhouse case also showed real courage in overcoming the fear of the mafia outside the courtroom, a lie about the MSM case and overcoming Biden’s obstructive remarks. .
– Rudy W. Giuliani (@RudyGiuliani) November 19, 2021
The National Rifle Association (NRA), a gun rights group, tweeted the text of the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which states “the right to possess and possess weapons …”.
A well-regulated militia, which is necessary for the security of a free state, does not violate the right of the people to possess and possess weapons.
– NRA (@NRA) November 19, 2021
Congresswoman Lauren Boebert, a staunch Conservative, also referred to the Second Amendment to celebrate the verdict.
“It’s great today for Second Amendment and the right to self-defense,” he wrote on Twitter. “Kyle Rittenhouse is not guilty in all cases! Glory to God!”
Congressman Paul Gosar, who he was formally reprimanded The House of Representatives this week tweeted a violent video about Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez suggesting that Rittenhouse offer internships like Republican colleague Matt Gaetz.
Justice was done #KyleRittenhouse and is completely exempt. Like I said last year, of course, self-defense.
I will fight with my arms @mattgaetz Kyle as a fellow to get dibs. https://t.co/kon65IB1d9
– Paul Gosar (@DrPaulGosar) November 19, 2021
But back in Wisconsin, Democratic Gov. Tony Evers called for a “cure” after the verdict, and called on all potential protesters to express themselves “peacefully.”
“I have seen so much pain and frustration, and we must remain steadfast in our commitment to ending violence in our communities, helping victims and survivors as they heal from trauma and often eradicating inequalities that are inextricably linked to that violence and trauma,” he said in a statement.
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