Tag: Kenosha

Kenosha prosecutors fight to modify Rittenhouse’s bond agreement after photos surface of him with Proud Boys

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Prosecutors in Kenosha, Wisc. are filing a motion to implement modifications for Kyle Rittenhouse amid the circulation of incriminating photos of him with the Proud Boys. 

According to WTMJ4-Milwaukee, the 18-year-old, who is facing charges for the fatal shooting of two protesters in Kenosha, found himself at the center of controversy after posing for photos with members of the Proud Boys.

In the photos, Rittenhouse—who is out of jail on a $2 million bond paid for with funds raised by conservative groups like the Proud Boys—was seen holding up the white power symbol as they sang the far-right, neo-fascist, organization’s official song. Since Rittenhouse entered the bar with his mother, Wendy Rittenhouse, he was also seen consuming alcohol. Surveillance footage captured a bartender serving the teen a beer. Continue reading.

Portland and Kenosha violence was predictable – and preventable

The U.S. reached a deadly moment in protests over racial injustice, as back-to-back shootings in Kenosha, Wisconsin, and Portland, Oregon, on Aug. 25 and 29 took the lives of three people and seriously injured another. 

It was tragic – but not surprising. 

The alleged shooters were at the protests for different reasons: One was a pro-police supporter who believed he was protecting local businesses in Kenosha and the other an “antifa supporter” and “fixture of anti-police demostrations” in Portland. The victims included apparent supporters of Black Lives Matter protests and a supporter of a far-right group. Together, they reflect an escalating risk of spontaneous violence as heavily armed citizen vigilantes and individuals mobilize at demonstrations and protests. Continue reading.

Biden, in Kenosha, says U.S. confronting ‘original sin’

KENOSHA, Wis. — Joe Biden told residents of Kenosha, Wisconsin, that recent turmoil following the police shooting of Jacob Blake, a Black man, could help Americans confront centuries of systemic racism, drawing a sharp contrast with President Donald Trump amid a reckoning that has galvanized the nation.

“We’re finally now getting to the point where we’re going to be addressing the original sin of this country, 400 years old … slavery and all the vestiges of it,” Biden said at Grace Lutheran Church, where he met with community leaders after a private session with Blake and his family.

The visit marked the former vice president’s first trip to the battleground state of Wisconsin as the Democratic presidential nominee and was a vivid illustration of the contrast he offers to Trump. Continue reading.

What the Kenosha shooter tells us about Donald Trump’s America

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Events this week in Kenosha, Wisconsin, are no surprise. They follow an all-too familiar social script in America.

On Wednesday, a 17-year-old  named Kyle Rittenhouse traveled to Kenosha, Wisconsin from his home in Antioch, Illinois, not far away. Rittenhouse did this in response to online appeals from a right-wing militia group to “protect” businesses, property and lives in Kenosha from “rioters.” In reality, the protests in Kenosha over the last week have come in response to the shooting of Jacob Blake, a black man who was unarmed and shot seven times in front of his children. Blake is reportedly now paralyzed and handcuffed to a hospital bed. There are credible reports that at least some of the violence in Kenosha has been committed by white supremacists or other right-wing agitators who are trying to discredit and undermine peaceful protests against police brutality and other forms of social injustice.

Rittenhouse was armed with an AR-15 military-style rifle. Under the laws of Illinois, where he lives, Rittenhouse is too young to own such a weapon. He also violated the law by traveling across state lines with a firearm. Continue reading.