Following the “not guilty” verdict in the homicide trial of Kenosha shooter Kyle Rittenhouse, right-wing extremists took to social media to celebrate his acquittal — which they see as a green light to instigate more violence in their private channels in order to “stop the left.”
A report by NPR revealed their reactions after the verdict with some calling for political violence.
“In one Telegram channel for the far-right Proud Boys, some noted they had taken the day off work to await the verdict.”
Another fantasized about “piling up bodies” to stop the left.
“There’s still a chance for this country. The left won’t stop until their bodie(s) get stacked up like cord wood,” he wrote, according to NPR.
As noted by NPR, “Rittenhouse himself is not known to be a member of an extremist group. But the trial, which from its beginning became a cause and rallying cry among conservatives who champion gun rights, has been particularly alarming to extremism researchers.”
Rittenhouse successfully claimed self-defense after he crossed state lines to safeguard businesses with an AR-15 style rifle during the protests against the Jacob Blake police shooting, which led to confrontations that ended with him fatally shooting two people and injuring a third.
As noted by Raw Story, some Republican politicians are also joining the far-right celebration and even promoting more political violence.
Rep. Madison Cawthorn (R-NC) celebrated by telling his followers to “be armed, and be dangerous.”
Madison Cawthorn offers Kyle Rittenhouse “an internship,” says he isn’t guilty, and tells followers to also “be armed and dangerous.” pic.twitter.com/m3EHnp5EOD
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) November 19, 2021
