Rittenhouse Trial is the Result of Failure of Public Institutions

In response to the verdict issued in the trial of Kyle Rittenhouse in Kenosha, Wisconsin, Western States Center Executive Director Eric K. Ward issued the following statement.

“Today’s disturbing verdict is the result of a series of governmental and institutional failures beginning long before Kyle Rittenhouse picked up a gun on the fateful night of August 25, 2020. Western States Center is clear that it is these failures that led to two horrifying killings. 

“From our country’s systemic failure to secure accountability for the victims of law enforcement and vigilante killings, to the repeated unwillingness of civil society to take seriously the need to counter political formations embracing and celebrating political violence, the horrifying bloodshed inflicted by Kyle Rittenhouse highlights the continual cascade of cowardice, bigotry, complacency and cynicism by leaders across all sectors of civic life. 

“Those of us who are devastated by this verdict should be reminded that the conditions that contribute to these killings—and to the growing political violence across our country—are no secret. They stretch back to every choice—big and small—to brush aside violent political and bigoted rhetoric that inevitably leads to harm and community insecurity. Democracy is simply too fragile to tolerate such irresponsibility by civil society any longer. It’s long past time to take seriously the consequences of our inaction.  Victims of growing political violence deserve no less.” 

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