Washington, DC— Following today’s verdict of not guilty on all counts in the case of Kyle Rittenhouse, the teenager who used an illegally purchased assault rifle to kill two individuals and injure a third during last year’s unrest in Kenosha, Wisconsin, after the police shooting of Jacob Blake, People For the American Way President Ben Jealous released the following statement:

“Kyle Rittenhouse crossed state lines to hunt down people speaking out against structural white supremacy. Today’s verdict further enables that white supremacy and will be seen as tacit encouragement by our criminal justice system for racially-inspired white mob violence.

“We are calling for the Justice Department to move immediately to conduct an investigation into Kyle Rittenhouse’s actions and the circumstances that led to the death and injury of people while they were exercising their First Amendment Rights.”

About People For the American Way

People For the American Way is a progressive advocacy organization founded to fight right-wing extremism and build a democratic society that implements the ideals of freedom, equality, opportunity and justice for all. We encourage civic participation, defend fundamental rights, and fight to dismantle systemic barriers to equitable opportunity. Learn more: https://www.pfaw.org