Kyle Rittenhouse’s actions fit into a long history of state-supported white vigilantism in America
By John Stoehr, The Editorial Board
The summer of 2020 saw civil unrest and protests break out all over the country in response to the racist violence of police departments. It was sparked specifically by the murder of George Floyd. With little recourse against the systemic violence of police forces, many communities turned to marches and riots.
However, despite some property damage, only one killing during protests last summer, out of 25, has been confirmed to be committed by someone motivated by leftwing ideology.
Even though the data shows that 93 percent of Black Lives Matter marches are peaceful, the defense in the Kyle Rittenhouse trial this week is hoping to capitalize on the white panic that is scared of civil unrest to pretend that shooting three people, killing two who were unarmed, was self-defense.
On August 23, 2020, Jacob Blake, a Black man previously tasered, was shot multiple times in the back and paralyzed by a police officer responding to a 911 call in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Protests broke out almost immediately and a state of emergency was declared that night.
Recent Posts
The Corporate War On Free Speech, A Zero Hour Conversation With Jeff Cohen
Take Action Now Jeff Cohen discusses the way right-wing moguls from Larry Ellison to Mark Zuckerberg are reshaping both traditional and social media,…
Are You Being Lied To? Is Portland “War-Ravaged”?
Take Action Now At one point, Trump himself questioned what was going on, asking, “Am I watching things on television that are different from what’s…
Wake Up, America: Democracy Is Disappearing Before Our Eyes
Take Action Now America’s democracy is under threat from a velvet-glove authoritarianism. Citizens must act now—beyond the ballot box—to defend…
Palestine Solidarity Protests Continue To Grow Across Europe
Take Action Now Record crowds again filled streets across Europe, demanding an end to Israel’s genocide in Gaza and freedom for the Global Sumud…