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'None of our lives matter': Anthony Huber and Joseph Rosenbaum's family react to Rittenhouse verdict

Families of victims slam verdict by Kenosha jury, Huber's family promise to continue fighting saying 'Anthony will have his day in court'

The United States is currently widely divided over the verdict on the Kyle Rittenhouse case. The 18-year-old was found not guilty on all counts by a jury on November 19, bringing to an end one of the most contentious trials in 2021. While conservatives and Republicans celebrated, Democrats led by President Joe Biden slammed the verdict. Now, the families of the victims - Anthony Huber and Joseph Rosenbaum - have also weighed in, and are clearly furious.

In a brief statement, the President said he was "angry and concerned", but urged for calm. Many celebrities also weighed in, slamming the verdict and calling for reform of the justice system. The National Guard is now on standby in Kenosha, as violent protests are expected to break out despite calls for peace from the President and Governor. 

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Under Wisconsin law, the verdict cannot be appealed, so Rittenhouse is now a free man. He's unlikely to face any further consequences, a result the families of Huber and Rosenbaum are extremely unhappy with. Shortly after he was acquitted, both families issued damning statements slamming the verdict and saying they wouldn't rest.

'Rittenhouse came to Kenosha armed to kill'

Karen Bloom and John Huber issued a statement via their law firm Loevy & Loevy. "We are heartbroken and angry that Kyle Rittenhouse was acquitted... There was no justice today for Anthony, or for Mr. Rittenhouse's other victims," they said. "Today's verdict means there is no accountability for the person who murdered our son. It sends the unacceptable message that armed civilians can show up in any town, incite violence, and then use the danger they have created to justify shooting people in the street." 

They concluded, "Mr. Rittenhouse came to Kenosha armed to kill. Kenosha police encouraged him to act violently, and our son is dead as a result." The two also said, "Make no mistake: our fight to hold those responsible for Anthony's death accountable continues in full force. Neither Mr. Rittenhouse nor the Kenosha police who authorized his bloody rampage will escape justice. Anthony will have his day in court."

Hannah Gittings, Huber's girlfriend also weighed in, saying, "I miss Anthony every single day. Every day I wish I can come home to him and unload some of this weight that’s on my shoulders, but I can’t because he’s dead. And now the system is telling me that nobody needs to answer for that, and I have a problem with that."

So far, Rosenbaum's family has not reacted to the verdict. His fiance, Kariann Swart did however tell the press, "The biggest thing I need to say is that if one person’s life or two person’s lives don’t matter, then none of our lives matter. So it’s either all of our lives matter or none of them matter. And I feel like in this case, it feels like the victim's lives don’t matter, and I don’t think that’s acceptable."

Shortly after the verdict, Rittenhouse was seen smiling as he left the Kenosha County Courthouse in an SUV. Meanwhile, Huber's aunt and girlfriend were left in tears, leaving the court in a state of shock. Demonstrators have already taken to the street, but so far things seem peaceful.