Hollywood members spoke out after Kyle Rittenhouse was found innocent of all charges in connection with the Kenosha shootings. “hollowing”Say it! “the system defeated true justice, once again.”
Rittenhouse killed two people and injures another man during the protests in Kenosha, 2020, over Jacob Blake’s police shooting. There were several charges against Rittenhouse, including first degree reckless homicide with dangerous weapon and use of a deadly weapon, two counts each of first-degree recklessly endinga safety, first -degree intentional murder, and attempted -first-degree intentional killing. Rittenhouse and his attorneys argued that Rittenhouse acted in self defense to attack Joseph Rosenbaum, one of the victims. The jury saw more than a dozen videos documenting the protest and shooting, and the trial became as assessment of whether or not Rittenhouse’s actions were considered “reasonable.”
National news was made when the trial saw the jury deliberate for 26 hours in four days. Judge Bruce Schroeder became famous for his conservative stance on MSNBC and for banning it from the courthouse.
Hollywood stars, including Roxane Gay, Josh Gad and George Takei, took to social networking to vent their dissatisfaction with the trial.
“Justice denied is a body blow to our national psyche. On trial was not only a killer, but a system that continues to kill. Today that system defeated true justice, once again. But mark these words: We will never stop fighting for what is right and just,” wrote Takei.
Justice denied is a major blow to the national psyche. The system of killing that was on trial was not only a killer but also a system that is continuing to kill.
Today, that system once more defeated true justice. However, these are the words that will stay with you: We will continue fighting for what’s right and just.
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) November 19, 2021
“I knew Rittenhouse would be acquitted but it is gutting to witness the inevitable, to know there will be no consequences for the judge, and to know Rittenhouse and others like him will be more emboldened to be openly white supremacist vigilantes. It’s hollowing,”Gay wrote
It was obvious that Rittenhouse would not be acquitted, but it was heartbreaking to witness the unthinkable, to know that the judge will not face any consequences, to realize Rittenhouse and others will be more empowered to be white supremacist vigilantes. It’s hollowing.
— roxane gay (@rgay) November 19, 2021
You can see more reactions here.
America is facing a terrifying day. #RittenhouseVerdict
— Kristen Schaal (@kristenschaaled) November 19, 2021
The judge KNOWINGLY. I REPEAT KNOWINGLY performed this for a NOT GUILTY verdict.
— Prentice Penny (@The_A_Prentice) November 19, 2021
At this point it seems we could drop two colors from our American flag
Maybe we have it already
— Ed Solomon (@ed_solomon) November 19, 2021
You want to be a supreme justice
wanna murder 2 people & not go to jail better
1) Cut some onions
2) Be white(MUSIC CUE: “Cherry Pie”)
— Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) November 19, 2021
It is now known that vigilantes are free to kill protestors of issues such as racial inequality whenever they wish and get away without any consequences. Just think about it for a second.
— Josh Gad (@joshgad) November 19, 2021
It’s a big day for killers.
— Derek DelGaudio (@derek_del) November 19, 2021
America, your legal system can be a fireball. pic.twitter.com/Wam20Q1cVb
— Duncan Jones (@ManMadeMoon) November 19, 2021