We are sickened that Kyle Rittenhouse did not receive his due punishment in court today. To describe an unlawfully armed self-styled militia member who crossed state lines to shoot three people as acting in “self-defense” is absurd, as were Judge Bruce Schroeder’s extraordinary and open efforts to bait the prosecution and aid the defense. This ruling puts protesters all over the country in the crosshairs for exercising their right to protest by emboldening gun owners toward violence, knowing that the criminal injustice system always has their backs.

Our thoughts are with the families of Joseph Rosenbaum, Anthony Huber, Gaige Grosskreutz and his family, Jacob Blake and his family, and the city of Kenosha that will live under this long shadow of injustice. Although it feels farther off today, we will keep fighting for a more just America.