Protesters have taken to the streets of Kenosha in the US state of Wisconsin as well several other cities from New York to Chicago over the acquittal of Kyle Rittenhouse, the teenager who had been charged with murdering two men during anti-racism demonstrations.
Rittenhouse’s shooting of three people in the Wisconsin city and his ultimate acquittal has widened the rift over racism and gun laws in the United States.
Twenty people were, meanwhile, injured in a car runover accident in another Wisconsin city late Sunday, according to the latest reports.
"Today our community faced horror and tragedy in what should have been a community celebration," Waukesha Mayor Shawn Reilly told local media.
Shortly after 4:30 pm a red SUV drove into the suburban town's Christmas parade, hitting multiple people, Waukesha Police Chief Dan Thompson said.
The Rittenhouse verdict was based on the proposition that he had engaged in self-defense although the military gun he was carrying had been obtained and transferred to America's Dairyland illegally, an idea that has outraged protesters in the streets today.
US conservative media are taking advantage of the moment to promote their racist and pro-gun agenda with Fox News arranging an interview with Rittenhouse.
The Democrats are so divisive, they refuse to recognize due process and justice. They refuse to recognize the Constitution and our sacred rights.
— Jenna Ellis (@JennaEllisEsq) November 21, 2021
Kyle Rittenhouse’s acquittal is a victory for him only, and ultimately shows our rule of law still reigns in our country—not elites.
Liberal media, meanwhile, are suggesting that the teenager is escaping justice despite being a white supremacist, further bringing up the broken gun laws in the US.
“The jury reached the correct verdict. Self-defense is not illegal,” Rittenhouse said after the verdict.
The conservatives not only raised money for his defense, they also appear to be on a track to promote him as a celebrity hero of their camp.
Gun Owners of America said earlier that it “will be awarding Kyle Rittenhouse with an AR-15 for his defense of gun rights in America,” an offer described as “disgusting” by his attorney.
Mark Richards, also lambasted former President Donald trump as an “idiot” for throwing his support for Rittenhouse amid the acquittal.
Why shouldn’t he be smiling? He beat the prosecution, President Biden, the Democrats, the media, the digital censors, the whole system. David 1, Goliath 0 #Rittenhouse pic.twitter.com/sEreVUN8ve
— Dinesh D'Souza (@DineshDSouza) November 21, 2021
“He’s an idiot. I don’t have to expand on that because it speaks for itself,” he said.
The high-profile and politically divisive case is expected to trigger even more protests seeking justice for the victims and against white supremacy across the already divided country.