The entertainment world has reacted to the news that Kyle Rittenhouse has been acquitted of first-degree murder and four other felonies.

The 18-year-old shot and killed two men during a Black Lives Matter protest in Kenosha, Wisconsin last year, injuring another.

Yesterday (November 19), he was found not guilty to all five charges in his case, including first-degree murder and endangerment of safety.

The trial was widely-publicised across the world and led to discussions about gun laws in the United States. Many from the entertainment world have taken to social media to share their outrage at the trial’s verdict.

“Systemic oppression is evil and destroys the world,” Lady Gaga tweeted in response to the not guilty verdict.

Systemic oppression is evil and destroys the world #Rittenhouse

— Lady Gaga (@ladygaga) November 20, 2021

Destiny’s Child‘s Michelle Williams simply tweeted that she was “not surprised” at the verdict, while The Roots‘ Questlove told his followers to “Stay Home. Stay Safe.”

Not surprised ?

— Michelle Williams (@RealMichelleW) November 19, 2021

Stay Home. Stay Safe.

— B.R.O.theR. ?uestion (@questlove) November 19, 2021

Others to share their opinions on the trial’s verdict included filmmaker Ava DuVernay, who shared a message from the parents of those killed by Rittenhouse.

She tweeted: “John Huber and Karen Bloom, parents of murderer #KyleRittenhouse’s victim Anthony Huber: the verdict ‘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.”’

John Huber and Karen Bloom, parents of murderer #KyleRittenhouse’s victim Anthony Huber: the verdict “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.” pic.twitter.com/zhfMCIsXIk

— Ava DuVernay (@ava) November 19, 2021

Actor George Takei, meanwhile, wrote: “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.”

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

“I weep for this country,” singer-songwriter Sara Bareilles wrote: “For that boy taught hateful things. For the victims and their families. For the system that protects the wrong people. For weapons that spread like the virus they are, infecting, poisoning, killing. For the message this moment sends. No Justice. None.”

I weep for this country. For that boy taught hateful things. For the victims and their families. For the system that protects the wrong people. For weapons that spread like the virus they are, infecting, poisoning, killing. For the message this moment sends. No Justice. None.

— Sara Bareilles (@SaraBareilles) November 19, 2021

“#kylerittenhouse found not guilty tho we SAW HIM kill two,” Bette Midler wrote. “Fundamentally stupid, I predict he will go on to a big career on #Fox and in #RadicalRightWing circles, which counts as a plus with them. A tragic, tragic day for decent, THINKING, feeling, ethical people everywhere.”

#kylerittenhouse found not guilty tho we SAW HIM kill two. Fundamentally stupid, I predict he will go on to a big career on #Fox and in #RadicalRightWing circles, which counts as a plus with them. A tragic, tragic day for decent, THINKING, feeling, ethical people everywhere.

— bettemidler (@BetteMidler) November 19, 2021

See a range of reactions to the verdict below:

Any Black person could’ve told you that. We’ve never been deceived by the evil bred in this country. It’s been happening for generations since its inception. This place was built on the promise of verdicts like #KyleRittenhouse’s. https://t.co/L4kIMUsFLU

— yvette nicole brown (@YNB) November 19, 2021

Wow………. https://t.co/z8PkeYeXud

— ICE T (@FINALLEVEL) November 19, 2021

Disgusted. And what a dangerous precedent to set. (Or upkeep, really) They’re going to make him a cop aren’t they? https://t.co/Ns7qRgQ411 pic.twitter.com/dlHHijExPo

— Jameela Jamil ? (@jameelajamil) November 19, 2021

Not this bitch found not guilty!!!!!!!!!!!

— City Girl. (@ThegirlJT) November 19, 2021

Protests have begun to spread across the United States in the wake of the not guilty verdict being cast in Rittenhouse’s trial.

As The Guardian reports, there was unrest overnight in Portland, Oregon, with police declaring a riot in the city centre following “violent, destructive behaviour by a significant part of the crowd”.