America is getting ready for chaos after Kyle Rittenhouse’s conviction on all charges was overturned. This shocked politicians, and angered those who wanted Rittenhouse to be jailed.
It captured the attention of the entire nation. As it unfolded on TV, tensions rose but were managed to contain. On Friday, Rittenhouse was found not guilty of all charges by the jury. There are now widespread concerns about the future, in particular for liberal urban areas.
Kenosha has 500 National Guard troops available on standby, but it’s also worth considering how angry citizens elsewhere in major cities such as Portland and New York or Seattle will respond.
These cities, and many more, saw violent protests at the height BLM’s movement which triggered Rittenhouse’s riots on August 25, 2020.
Retired 20-year Chicago police officer Sergeant Betsy Brantner Smith told DailyMail.com that the circumstances for chaos were ripe with Friday’s verdict. The verdict was late Friday and will probably cause more protests. Also, the fact that a significant portion of the nation still believes Rittenhouse is guilty even though he was found innocent, could lead to more violence.
“There will be consternation over this verdict, and it is largely based upon a misunderstanding of the justice system.
The Kenosha County Courthouse door is open to police as they look out at the Kyle Rittenhouse trial. After three days of jury deliberations, the verdict was not reached in Kenosha (Wisconsin), U.S.A, November 18th 2021
Before the Kyle Rittenhouse Trial, the Wisconsin Army National Gaurd practices with batons and riot shields at the Sussex Armory Park in anticipation of the verdict by the jury
Kyle Rittenhouse (left) collapses on his back and weeps after being found innocent of all charges at Kenosha County Courthouse Kenosha, Wis. on Friday, November 19, 2021. After close to three and a half days of deliberation, the jury returned with their verdict.
“My first step would be to work with the community and make sure that people have somewhere to peacefully protest, but I’d also make it clear that there’s zero tolerance for violence or looting, arson, and parallel to that, That is what we need to do.
‘There is going to be some consternation…In some areas, I think violence is likely. Tonight. We’re heading into Friday night, which means we have to go into Saturday.
Sergeant Betsy Brantner Smith
She stated, “We can’t tolerate a national temper tantrum for a trial verdict.”
Additionally, she stated that especially in big cities like Chicago, Portland and New York, the police must pay attention to emergencies and be ready to act quickly.
The verdict was returned on Friday afternoon. This, she claims is a major problem that is conducive to violence.
“I think violence is possible in some places. It could happen tonight. Problem is, we are going into Saturday night. Some opportunists will try to create violence, and that is something we must not allow.
“First, it is late on some parts of the east coast. We are moving towards the evening. Fall means it gets darker faster and is easier to commit crimes when it’s dark. For law enforcement officers and business, it makes the situation more risky.
“When people go into the weekend people have the weekend off. People who may not want to be involved in violent riots because they work next day might say, “Well I’m going down there to see what’s happening.”
“Things were always a bit more difficult on weekends.” It all depends on the weather and the mood of local leaders.
Tony Evers of Wisconsin released a statement late Friday afternoon. He didn’t say anything about whether he supported the verdict or not, but advised calm.
‘Ich stimme den lokalen Kenosha. Community leaders should join forces with them to ask everyone who may choose to gather and exercise First Amendment rights within any community to do so only safely and peacefully.
‘We must have peace in Kenosha and our communities, and any efforts or actions aimed at sowing division are unwelcome in our state as they will only hinder that healing.’
Officially, the police department is keeping silent about what they’re doing, which will likely avoid tipping off crowds.
The Democratic American cities are not yet calling for peace.
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio tweeted the verdict, saying: “Anthony Huber & Joseph Rosenbaum are victims. They ought to be alive right now.
‘The only reason they’re not is because a violent, dangerous man chose to take a gun across state lines and start shooting people.
This is a serious miscarriage in justice. Trolls of far right think that it doesn’t matter if a violent gunman has his weapon before or afterwards he crosses state borders are misinformed.
‘That’s not justice and they know it,’ he said.
White House did not comment on calm for tonight or the weekend, but President Biden indicated that he would stand behind the verdict of the jury. It’s a working jury system.
AOC tweeted that: “We are seeing a system working as it was meant to and protecting the people it was created for.
“My heart is still broken for those families and communities who are now experiencing grief, and all the others that will suffer in the face of similar circumstances across the country.
Chicago PD sent a memo to officers last week notifying them that one of their days off this weekend had been canceled, claiming it was due to ‘current crime patterns’ in the city.
John Catanzara, President of Fraternal Order for Police claimed that it was in anticipation of “upheaval” from Rittenhouse’s trial.
Some departments have not been forthcoming about their plans for trouble or what they plan to do, if any.
DailyMail.com contacted the LAPD and they refused to disclose whether any preparations were made for the trial.
A spokesperson would only say that the Los Angeles Police Department has enough officers to handle any emergency.
The NYPD, LA County Sheriff and DC Metro Police were silent last week.
Portland Police Department was nearly disbanded by BLM, and has now been reduced to 788 officers. DailyMail.com reported that it is’monitoring the situation’ but had not deployed additional resources.
A spokesman for the PPB stated that they are monitoring the situation, and would deploy resources as needed.
Washington DC Metropolitan Police reported that they closely follow the major events throughout the nation and the globe.
“MPD has a high level of preparedness that will allow it to address any new concerns should they arise.”