Hundreds of protesters in Brooklyn and Queens rallied in the wake of Kyle Rittenhouse’s acquittal and in opposition to the jury’s verdict.
Rittenhouse, 18, was tried in Wisconsin for the shooting and killing of two men during protests against police brutality in the state last year. A jury cleared him of all charges after a high-profile trial.
As news of the verdict spread across the county on Friday, protests from coast to coast also increased, including New York City.
By Friday night hundreds had gathered in Brooklyn outside the Barclays Center to hear speakers before marching on Manhattan. The group, of several hundred people, crossed the Brooklyn Bridge and expressed their frustrations with the system that reached the not guilty verdict.
“I wasn’t surprised, I expected it. I knew exactly what was going to happen. That’s what always happens,” Kelli Cooper said Friday. “We are tired, it is the same as always.”
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“The people came. And this is the most important thing, that we continue in the streets, that we continue to organize, that we make sure they know how the movement is not going anywhere,” said another protester.
In Queens, a smaller group had come together to express their opposition to the outcome of the trial. The police estimated that there were about 40 people.
At the demonstration in Middle Village Five protesters allegedly threw trash cans in front of police vehicles, smashed US and US flags, Blue Lives Matter and damaged several parked cars, according to police. One of the people in the group allegedly smashed a front windshield while and another painted the back of another car.
“The New York City Police Department takes its responsibility to protect the First Amendment rights of peaceful protesters very seriously. Equally important is the safety of New Yorkers and the protection of the property of people who violate the law in the name of the protest. As seen tonight in Queens, they will be arrested, “posted the New York City Police Twitter account on Friday night.
The five protesters, who police described as “dressed all in black and appeared to be Black Bloc,” were arrested and issued tickets for appearing. They are scheduled to return to court early next month.
Mayor-elect Eric Adams, ombudsman Jumaane Williams and Comptroller-elect Brad Lander released a joint statement Saturday afternoon calling for stricter gun laws and peaceful demonstrations.
“New Yorkers stand united in support of security and justice, and against violence and division. As some of us take to the streets today to make our voices heard, we must demonstrate our conviction through peaceful protest so that the country hear our message of a better way forward. “
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