The week preceding Thanksgiving was dominated by two trials involving Kyle Rittenhouse and Ahmaud Arbery. Rittenhouse, still enjoying his freedom after being acquitted last week, gave a series of interviews, while justice was served in the Arbery trial. Here are the quotes of the week.
“Probably by the end of this winter, as is sometimes cynically said, pretty much everyone in Germany will be vaccinated, cured or dead.”
– Germany’s health minister Jens Spahn issues a stark warning as the country races to contain a record rise in coronavirus infections in recent weeks.
“Five families of Waukesha are facing fresh grief of a life without a loved one. At least 40 Americans are suffering from injuries, some of them in critical condition, and an entire community is struggling to cope with the horrific act of violence.
“This morning, Jill and I, the entire Biden family, all of us pray that that same spirit is going to embrace and lift up all the victims of this tragedy, bringing comfort to those recovering from the injuries and wrapping the families of those who died in the support of their community.”
– President Joe Biden mourns those who lost their lives in Waukesha, Wisconsin.
“Rich Democrats believe you have no right to defend yourself from an angry mob.
“He was being violently attacked by three dangerous felons; a jury of his peers found that Kyle Rittenhouse acted in self-defense.
“What Colbert is arguing is to outlaw the ability to defend oneself.”
– Sen. Ted Cruz questions late-night TV show host Stephen Colbert after he says the law should be changed following Rittenhouse’s acquittal.
“This case has nothing to do with race. It never had anything to do with race. It had to do with the right to self-defense.”
– Kyle Rittenhouse gives his first post-acquittal interview to Fox News’s Tucker Carlson.
“I am considering changing my name. Growing a beard maybe, losing some weight — I gained it all back during this stressful time.”
– Rittenhouse discusses his next steps.
“I didn’t know that the OK hand sign was a symbol for white supremacy just as I didn’t know those people in the bar were Proud Boys. They were set up by my former attorney (Pierce) who was fired because of that, for putting me in situations like that with people I don’t agree with.”
– Rittenhouse, in a separate interview with NewsNation Now’s Ashleigh Banfield, explains why he posed with the Proud Boys in a bar immediately after the Kenosha shootings.
“I have no sympathy, no empathy whatsoever for people smashing and grabbing, stealing people’s items, creating havoc and terror on our streets. None. Period. Full stop. We want real accountability, we want people prosecuted and we want people to feel safe this holiday season.”
– California Gov. Gavin Newsom on the spate of shoplifting that has blighted the state.
“As the Bay Area grapples with a wave of seemingly organized smash and grab robberies this weekend, policing and journalism analysts are cautioning against the use of the term looting.”
– Race and social justice reporter Julian Glover tries to give the context on the looting in California.
“There are an abundance of turkeys available.”
– Press secretary Jen Psaki seeks to assure folks their Thanksgiving food tables will be just fine.
“The reason the price of gas is going up is that the oil is in Louisiana, and the dipsticks are in D.C.”
– Sen. John Kennedy, a Louisiana Republican, on gas prices.
“I’ve had the virus. I don’t talk about my health status with reporters, but I’ve had the coronavirus and recovered and actually had my antibodies tested, or had that antibody test done, and it showed that my antibodies were strong.
“In fact, the doctor said, ‘You’re in the strong category. You could donate plasma.’”
– Rep. Jim Jordan, an Ohio Republican, reveals he has had COVID-19
“The spirit of Ahmaud defeated the lynch mob.”
– Attorney Ben Crump speaks after three white men are found guilty of the murder of Ahmaud Arbery in Georgia.
“We must recommit ourselves to building a future of unity and shared strength, where no one fears violence because of the color of their skin.”
– Biden’s reaction to the Arbery verdict.
“All lives matter, not just blacks. We don’t wanna see nobody go through this. … It’s all our problem. So hey, let’s keep fighting. Let’s keep doing it and making this place a better place for all human beings — all human beings. Everybody. Love everybody.”
– Marcus Arbery, father of Arbery, after the trial.
