AAAN Statement on Rittenhouse Verdict
Armenian-American Action Network issues the following statement after the acquittal of Kyle Rittenhouse, who was charged on five counts after shooting 3 and killing 2 protesters at a Black Lives Matter demonstration in 2020:
The U.S. courts have failed in delivering justice for the protesters who were murdered at the Black Lives Matter demonstration in Kenosha, Wisconsin, last summer. While this is not surprising, it is extremely troubling because it sets a dangerous precedent in the U.S. This ruling signals to white supremacists that their violent actions aimed at racial justice protestors are sanctioned by the U.S. courts and will go unpunished. It also sends a chilling message to all of us who are committed to taking action and exercising our first amendment rights to bring about racial and social justice.
However, it will not intimidate us in our fight for a country free from racism, discrimination, and violence. Armenian-American Action Network condemns this ruling and stands in solidarity with community leaders in the Black Lives Matter movement, as they continue to define, strengthen and inspire a generation to fight injustice.
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