George Takei — the actor who played Hikaru Sulu in the Star Trek franchise — added his two cents to a cacophony of celebrities, activists, and left-leaning politicians reacting to Kyle Rittenhouse’s acquittal.
“Justice denied is a body blow to our national psyche,” tweeted Takei. “On trial was not only a killer, but a system that continues to kill. Today that system defeated true justice, once again. But mark these words: We will never stop fighting for what is right and just.”
Justice denied is a body blow to our national psyche. On trial was not only a killer, but a system that continues to kill.
Today that system defeated true justice, once again. But mark these words: We will never stop fighting for what is right and just.
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) November 19, 2021
Rittenhouse — a teenager charged with murder for fatally shooting two men and injuring a third while defending himself during a riot in Kenosha, Wisconsin — was cleared of all charges on Friday. Though prominent Americans from both sides of the aisle celebrated the decision, many progressives were disappointed.
President Joe Biden — who associated Rittenhouse with “white supremacists and militia groups” during the 2020 election cycle — said in a statement that he feels “angry and concerned” by the jury’s decision.
“While the verdict in Kenosha will leave many Americans feeling angry and concerned, myself included, we must acknowledge that the jury has spoken,” the commander-in-chief explained. “I ran on a promise to bring Americans together, because I believe that what unites us is far greater than what divides us. I know that we’re not going to heal our country’s wounds overnight, but I remain steadfast in my commitment to do everything in my power to ensure that every American is treated equally, with fairness and dignity, under the law.”
“I urge everyone to express their views peacefully, consistent with the rule of law,” Biden added. “Violence and destruction of property have no place in our democracy. The White House and Federal authorities have been in contact with Governor Evers’s office to prepare for any outcome in this case, and I have spoken with the Governor this afternoon and offered support and any assistance needed to ensure public safety.”
Other Democratic politicians expressed similar views. Like Takei, many referred to purported flaws in the legal system manifested by the outcome of the Rittenhouse case.
“Racism & white supremacy remain the bedrock of our legal system,” said Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-MA) from her official Twitter account. “My heart breaks for the family & loved ones of those whose lives were stolen, and the trauma our communities face today and every day. The struggle for accountability, for justice, for healing goes on.”
“This heartbreaking verdict is a miscarriage of justice and sets a dangerous precedent which justifies federal review by DOJ,” added House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler (D-NY). “Justice cannot tolerate armed persons crossing state lines looking for trouble while people engage in First Amendment-protected protest.”
“America today: you can break the law, carry around weapons built for a military, shoot and kill people, and get away with it,” commented Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA). “That’s the message we’ve just sent to armed vigilantes across the nation.”