![]() Tony Evers, Wisconsin governor (Democratic): “No verdict will be able to bring back the lives of Anthony Huber and Joseph Rosenbaum, or heal Gaige Grosskreutz’s injuries, just as no verdict can heal the wounds or trauma experienced by Jacob Blake and his family. I know that we’re not going to heal our country’s wounds overnight, but I remain steadfast in my commitment to do everything in my power to ensure that every American is treated equally, with fairness and dignity, under the law.” I ran on a promise to bring Americans together, because I believe that what unites us is far greater than what divides us. Joe Biden: “While the verdict in Kenosha will leave many Americans feeling angry and concerned, myself included, we must acknowledge that the jury has spoken. In lieu of a summary, I’ll thank Reuters for this round-up of prominent comments on the verdict: Kari Paul is going to take this blog on from here. The most worrying effect of this verdict may be this: giving rightwing vigilantes a legal precedent to take up arms against anyone they consider a threat – which pretty much runs from anti-fascists to so-called Rinos (Republicans in Name Only) and includes almost all people of color – means it is now open hunting season on progressive protesters. If there is protest or rioting, don’t expect the police to be as courteous and supportive as they were towards Rittenhouse and his far-right buddies. In the coming hours and days, many media outlets will eagerly await riots or other potentially violent reactions from the other side – from the anti-racists and progressives of all colors and races who are disturbed by this verdict – and use the existence of those riots, if they occur, to push a misguided “ both sides” frame. Given the feverish paranoia and racism that has captured a sizeable minority of white people in the US these days, this is a recipe for disaster. White people now have the apparent right to travel around the country, heavily armed, and use violence to protect the country from whatever and whoever they believe to be threatening to it. ![]() In essence, the Rittenhouse ruling has created a kind of “ stand your ground” law for the whole country. Think of the acquittal of George Zimmerman of the killing of Trayvon Martin in 2013. We know that “self-defense” – often better known as vigilantism – is legally protected and highly racialized in this country. Guardian columnist Cas Muddle has written on what the Rittenhouse verdict says about the state of rightwing vigilantism in the US today and the consequences for progressive demonstrators. Keep an eye on this weekend for more updates.
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