Colin Kaepernick, a civil rights activist who was also a former San Francisco 49ers quarterback, has called Kyle Rittenhouse “white supremacist” after Rittenhouse’s murder trial in Kenosha (Wisconsin) on Friday found him not guilty.
After the verdict was announced, Kaepernick wrote: ‘We just saw a system built upon white supremacy validate terroristic acts by a white supremacist. “This confirms our need to end the current system.” White supremacy must be abolished.
After pleading self defense in the Kenosha massacres, Rittenhouse was cleared of any charges. This incident became an important point in American debates over vigilantism, guns and racial justice. Rittenhouse shot and killed Joseph Rosenbaum (36), and Anthony Huber (26). A third man, Gaige grosskreutz (26) was also wounded during demonstrations in Kenosha on August 25, 2020 over the shooting by police of Jacob Blake, an African-American man.
Colin Kaepernick, a civil rights activist and ex-San Francisco 49ers quarterback, has called Kyle Rittenhouse (left), a “white supremacist” after Rittenhouse was found not guilty in his murder trial at Kenosha. Wisconsin.
Kaepernick stated that Friday’s verdict of ‘not guilty’ was only to confirm domestic terrorist activity
Rittenhouse was viewed as both a vigilante officer and as a wannabe cop. However, those who saw Rittenhouse in that light were disappointed and angry. Those who saw Rittenhouse as a patriot who stood up for law and exercised his Second Amendment rights to own a gun as well as to defend himself felt relief and vindication.
Kaepernick is not the only person to have condemned the verdict.
Robert Griffin III (another free agent quarterback) mentioned Julius Jones’ case. Jones was sentenced to death for his murder in Oklahoma last week. Jones was an African American inmate and would be executed on Thursday. He had been sentenced for his role in the shooting death of Paul Howell, 1999. Although his sentence was reduced to life imprisonment, many believe he was falsely charged.
‘Kyle Rittennhouse can kill without a sliver of doubt & walk free but Julius Jones is in jail for life without the chance for parole after being on death row for 20 years with all types of doubt in his case,’ Griffin tweeted. What is Justice? God bless us.
Chiney Ogwumike is a star player of the WNBA Los Angeles Sparks. She called on social justice advocates and activists to keep up their protests: ‘Yet another reminder that social justiy isn’t a moment. It’s a movement.
Robert Griffin III, another unrestricted agent, mentioned Julius Jones’s case. Jones was sentenced to death for his murder in Oklahoma last week. Jones was a black prisoner and would be executed on Thursday in connection to the shooting death of Paul Howell, 1999. Although his sentence was reduced to life imprisonment, many believe he is still falsely accused.
Chiney Ogwumike is a star player of the WNBA Los Angeles Sparks. She called on social justice advocates for continued protests
Bubba Wallace, an African-American NASCAR driver, also participated in the verdict.
African-American NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace also weighed in: ‘Ha, let the boy be black and it would’ve been life…hell he would’ve had his life taken before the bulls*** trial.. sad’
Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies wrote that he was not surprised by his performance.
Kaepernick, who has been the icon of activism for athletes since 2016, protested police brutality and racism by kneeling before the national anthem.
He was a non-agent since March 2017. This led to allegations that Kaepernick had been blackballed by the NFL. Kaepernick has now settled his grievance with the NFL for an undisclosed amount.
He is still a former University of Nevada student star and continues his training for the possibility of making a comeback.
Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies’ star wrote that he wasn’t surprised by Friday’s verdict.
Rittenhouse was arrested for attempted murder, homicide and recklessly endangering after killing two men with an AR style semi-automatic rifle and injuring another. This happened during protests against the shooting of Jacob Blake (a black Kenosha officer) by Rittenhouse.
Rittenhouse was a 17-year-old ex-police youth cadet who said that he traveled to Kenosha in order to defend property from rioters. His victims were also white.
An anonymous jury, whose race was not revealed by the court, but which appeared to be predominantly white, deliberated close to three and a half days.
Rittenhouse may have been sentenced to death if she was found guilty of the most grave charge: first-degree intentional killing or, as some states refer, first degree murder. The other two charges were more serious and could have resulted in Rittenhouse spending over 60 years behind bars.
Kenosha County District attorney Michael Graveley stated that his office respected the decision of the jury and asked for the public’s support.