Reaction to the not guilty verdict in the Kyle Rittenhouse trial sparked protests across the country, including a riot in Portland, Oregon. Hours after Rittenhouse was acquitted, a riot was declared in Portland.
A banner was posted that read: “Kyle Rittenhouse is guilty.” Demonstrators chanted: “Kyle is a terrorist!” There was graffiti spray-painted that read: “All cops are Kyles.”
Vandals destroyed storefronts of businesses, shattered vehicle windshields, and attacked the Justice Center building in downtown Portland.
Portland police have declared a riot tonight after demonstrators gathered downtown to protest the verdict in the Kyle Rittenhouse trialpic.twitter.com/7OBjgFvkbo
— Zane Sparling (@Zane Sparling)
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After Kyle #Rittenhouse was found not guilty, #antifa in Portland organized an attempt to break inside the Justice Center to burn it down. They attacked police & also smashed up a passing driver’s vehicle & targeted nearby buildings. Police declared a riot https://www.portlandoregon.gov/police/news/read.cfm?id=362077u00a0u2026pic.twitter.com/EA8nVZMPg1
— Andy Ngu00f4 ud83cudff3ufe0fu200dud83cudf08 (@Andy Ngu00f4 ud83cudff3ufe0fu200dud83cudf08)
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The crowd chants “Kyle is a terrorist” outside the Justice Center after a riot was declared by PPB.pic.twitter.com/zqnzrGKqnW
— Mathieu Lewis-Rolland (@Mathieu Lewis-Rolland)
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Multnomah County Office building damaged after Portland protesters take to the streets downtown, many voiced frustration regarding the Kyle Rittenhouse verdict. #Portland #protestpic.twitter.com/XKiYnadhKk
— Independent Media PDX (@Independent Media PDX)
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“Some individuals in the crowd were heard saying ‘burn it down,’ referring to the Justice Center,” the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office reported. “The crowd, which was described as hostile, launched urine, alcoholic beverages, water bottles, and batteries at deputies during the event.”
Agitators gathered in front of the detention center to prevent law enforcement officers from entering, and attempted to use branches to prevent the gate from closing.
“A riot was declared after a violent, destructive group began to breach the gate into the Multnomah County Detention Center (MCDC),” according to the Portland Police Bureau.
#Portlandn#AntifanLast nightpic.twitter.com/b2JxNbqtys
— The Daily Sneedu2122 ud83dudd57 (@The Daily Sneedu2122 ud83dudd57)
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In New York City, hundreds of protesters gathered in the hours after the verdict was announced.
Black Lives Matter activists in Brooklyn held signs that said: “Rittenhouse Racist Killer!” The crowd shouted: “Hey ho. Ho ho. These racist cops have got to go,” “Every city, every town, burn the precinct to the ground,” and “If we don’t get it, shut it down!” The agitators shut down the Manhattan Bridge.
#BlackLivesMatter Activists shut down the streets of Brooklyn NY in response of the #KyleRittenhouse case they chant ” HEY HEY HO HO THESE RACIST COPS HAVE GOT TO GO “pic.twitter.com/LcFZOmQ6he
— Leeroy Johnson (@Leeroy Johnson)
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#BlackLivesMatter Activists take to the streets of Brooklyn NY in response of the #KyleRittenhouseTrial and chant ” EVERY CITY EVERY TOWN BURN THE PRECINCT TO THE GROUND “n#NYPD #NYCpic.twitter.com/WyyUJcjR0B
— Leeroy Johnson (@Leeroy Johnson)
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#BlackLivesMatter shut down down Manhattan Bridge and chant ” IF WE DON’T GET IT BURN IT DOWN ” in response of the #KyleRittennhouse casepic.twitter.com/lJRQnPpEHN
— Leeroy Johnson (@Leeroy Johnson)
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The NYPD shared photos of vandalized vehicles in Queens. Five people were arrested for allegedly damaging cars and houses in Middle Village, police said.
The NYPD takes its responsibility to protect the 1st amendment rights of peaceful demonstrators seriously. Just as important is the safety of NYers & the protection of property from people breaking the law in the name of protest. As seen tonight in Queens, they will be arrested.pic.twitter.com/a6bL0Fewv9
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPD NEWS)
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In Los Angeles, there were multiple graffiti messages that read: “Kill Kyle” and “ACAB.” ATMs were smashed and the windows of Chase Bank were shattered in Hollywood.
Hollywood: Antifa militants smashed the windows of a Chase bank in retaliation to the #Rittenhouse verdict. nnu201cKill Kyleu201d was spray painted on a bus stop in front of the bank.pic.twitter.com/GDi3mMe39D
— Tomas Morales ud83cuddfaud83cuddf8 (@Tomas Morales ud83cuddfaud83cuddf8)
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In Denver, a crowd blocked traffic and thumped vehicles that attempted to pass.
#Denvern#KyleRittenhouseTrial protestn nThe crowd begins to block traffic and hitting trucks trying to pass by. Police rush in.pic.twitter.com/HXhVjWyo33
— The Daily Sneedu2122 ud83dudd57 (@The Daily Sneedu2122 ud83dudd57)
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In Kenosha, Wisconsin — the location of the fatal shootings and the Rittenhouse trial — the scene was relatively calm.
Current scene around the courthouse, some pro- and anti-Kyle Rittenhouse demonstrators out. A quiet evening thus far in Kenosha #RittenhouseVerdict #Kenoshapic.twitter.com/R3CKRlBEW5
— Brendan Gutenschwager (@Brendan Gutenschwager)
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