Protests erupt across US after Kyle Rittenhouse acquittal
NEW YORK - Protests have been held in several other U.S. cities nationwide following the acquittal of Kyle Rittenhouse, 18, in Kenosha, Wisconsin., including New York, Los Angeles and Chicago.
Crowds of people gathered outside of the Barclays Center in Brooklyn Friday for a peaceful protest, making remarks and marching off towards the Brooklyn Bridge in solidarity.
New York City Public Advocate Jumanne Williams appeared at the protest to show his support, while Mayor Bill de Blasio and Brooklyn Borough President and Mayor-Elect Eric Adams also condemned the verdict.
About 1,000 people marched through downtown Chicago Saturday afternoon, organized by Black Lives Matter Chicago and other local activist groups. According to the Chicago Tribune, protesters held signs that stated, "STOP WHITE SUPREMACY" and "WE’RE HITTING THE STREETS TO PROTEST THIS RACIST INJUSTICE SYSTEM" with a picture of Rittenhouse carrying a weapon.
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In North Carolina, dozens of people gathered Saturday near the state Capitol building to protest the verdict, the Raleigh News & Observer reported. Speakers led the crowd of roughly 75 people in chants of "No justice, no peace!" and "Abolish the police!" Police officers on motorcycle accompanied the protesters and blocked traffic for them as they marched down a street past bars and restaurants.
Law enforcement in Portland Friday night declared a riot as about 200 demonstrators protested the acquittal.
The Multnomah County Sheriff's Office said the protesters were breaking windows, throwing objects at police and talking about burning down a local government building in downtown Portland, KOIN TV reported, but the crowd had dispersed by about 11 p.m. Several people were given citations, the Portland Police Bureau said, but only one person who had an outstanding warrant from another matter was arrested.
Rittenhouse faced five felony charges including first-degree intentional homicide, stemming from deadly shootings in Kenosha during unrest in the city in August 2020. His lawyers argued he was acting in self-defense.
With the Associated Press.