While the verdict in Kenosha will leave many Americans feeling angry and concerned, myself included, we must acknowledge that the jury has spoken. 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.  Violence

The Wisconsin Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers is greatly concerned about the community impact of the acquittal of Kyle Rittenhouse on all five felony charges. We believe this acquittal could send a message in our state and across the country that it is appropriate for private citizens of all ages to take a gun to a protest, public event or other potentially volatile situation. As social workers we understand the stages in human development and we are well aware of research that shows that the reasoning part of a brain is not fully formed until the mid-20’s.1

Statement from members of the Common Council: Alderwoman Milele A. Coggs, Alderman Ashanti Hamilton, Alderman Nik Kovac, Alderwoman Nikiya Dodd, Alderman Khalif J. Rainey, Alderwoman JoCasta Zamarripa, Alderwoman Chantia Lewis, Alderman José G. Pérez, Alderwoman Marina Dimitrijevic, and Alderman Russell W. Stamper, II During the last two weeks, all eyes were on Wisconsin and the court case that was unfolding in Kenosha involving Kyle Rittenhouse. What happened that night in August 2020 was sad and disheartening, and while we cannot change what has already been done, we can expect the proper justice to be delivered for the families of those

NEW YORK (November 19, 2021) – National Urban League President and CEO Marc H. Morial, Urban League of Racine and Kenosha Interim President James Hall, Urban League of Greater Madison President and CEO Dr. Ruben L. Anthony, Jr., and Greater Milwaukee Urban League President and CEO Dr. Eve M. Hall issued the following joint statement in response to the acquittal of vigilante killer Kyle Rittenhouse: “From the moment Kyle Rittenhouse heeded the call to ‘take up arms’ against peaceful protestors last year to his acquittal in the courtroom today, this case has been a long and unrelenting exercise in the power of white privilege and the

Wisconsin Faith Voices for Justice is deeply disturbed by the verdict in the Kyle Rittenhouse trial.  With this verdict—Not Guilty on all counts—vigilantism is given free rein in Wisconsin.  The message comes across loud and clear – it is OK for a white 17-year-old to brandish an assault weapon openly on the streets and murder unarmed people under the guise of “self-defense” in a situation largely brought about by the shooter’s threatening actions. This verdict is part and parcel of the mounting expressions of white supremacy and increasing violence we are seeing around the country.  More and more, we are

MILWAUKEE, WI – Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley released the following statement regarding the verdict in the Rittenhouse case: “This case, and the international attention it brought to Kenosha for over a year, will impact the community and our entire state for years to come. No matter what your opinion on the outcome today, the healing begins in how we respond to this moment in our history. I stand with the many leaders in Kenosha and throughout Southeast Wisconsin in calling for safe and peaceful demonstrations from those who choose to assemble and exercise their right to have their voices heard. 

MILWAUKEE – Today Kyle Rittenhouse was found not guilty on counts of intentional, reckless, and attempted homicide and reckless endangerment by a Kenosha County jury. “Today’s verdict highlights the immense bias our criminal justice system has towards preserving the innocence of white men, even those accused of horrific crimes,” said Supervisor Sequanna Taylor. “While I am disappointed with the verdict in this case, I hope the community of Kenosha can begin to heal and focus on those greatly affected by the actions that took place during the summer of 2020. This case has brought a lot of national attention to Wisconsin and

MADISON – The Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority and CSH are now welcoming applications for a first-of-its-kind Wisconsin Supportive Housing Institute. A webinar to answer questions about the application process will be held December 7 at 9 a.m. Information about WHEDA’s supportive housing initiative and the application documents can be found here; registration for the free webinar is available here. In February 2021, WHEDA partnered with CSH – a national nonprofit leader in supportive housing – to connect developers and community service providers with training and resources to expand the supply in Wisconsin of much-needed affordable housing paired with support services. The initiative kicked

In response to today’s passage of the Build Back Better Act by House Democrats this morning, Robert Kraig, Executive Director of Citizen Action of Wisconsin, released the following statement:   “House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and House Democrats, including Representatives Gwen Moore, Mark Pocan, and Ron Kind, deserve our thanks and recognition for the tremendous effort it took to create and pass President Biden’s historic Build Back Better Act.   Hard compromises had to be made, as always happens in major legislation, but the reforms that survived the process represent generational reform. For the first time in a half a century

MILWAUKEE – Today a jury in Kenosha County found Kyle Rittenhouse not guilty on counts of first-degree intentional homicide, first-degree reckless homicide, attempted first-degree intentional homicide, and two counts of first-degree recklessly endangering safety.    Milwaukee County Board Chairwoman Marcelia Nicholson released the following statement on the verdict:    “This case is just another example of the fact that we have two different justice systems in the United States. One justice system allows a white man to walk freely past police after crossing state lines with an unlawfully held semi-automatic rifle and killing two people with no consequences, while an unarmed Jacob Blake is shot 7 times and paralyzed by police with no semblance of justice.     “We see one justice system allowing a clearly biased judge to coddle a white man on trial for murder. The