“Free Kyle”: Kenosha Shooter’s Family Selling Merch For Teen’s Legal Defense

freekyleusa.com

December 23, 2020, 7:35 am

The family of Kyle Rittenhouse, the teenager charged with killing two people and attempting to kill a third during Black Lives Matter protests in Kenosha, Wisconsin, is now selling “Free Kyle” merchandise in an attempt to raise money for his legal defense.

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According to the Daily Mail, the store was selling everything from t-shirts to stickers to bikinis, with some items featuring the slogan “self-defense is a right, not a privilege,” underneath the standard message of “Free Kyle.”

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Kyle Rittenhouse’s family is selling ‘Free Kyle’ merchandise including $25 crop tops and $43 bikinis to raise money for the teen’s legal defense fund ahead of his murder trial pic.twitter.com/3HAkGhpVz9

— Frank Schaeffer (@Frank_Schaeffer) December 22, 2020

The site itself is run by Kyle’s mother, Wendy Rittenhouse, and features a version of events that paint Kyle as the victim in a scenario that left two dead and one injured. 

“Kyle was notified of cars being intentionally lit on fire by a group of rioters bent on chaos,” the site reads. “He responded to the area with a fire extinguisher, upsetting the violent mob. He was stalked and brutally attacked. Kyle was forced to defend his life.”

Video taken on the scene appeared to tell a different story, as did witnesses, who said protestors were trying to stop the 17-year-old from shooting more people after he opened fire on the first man who died. 

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The debate between whether Kyle Rittenhouse is some sort of second amendment folk hero or a symbol of how entitled, violent white teen boys have come to believe they’re above the law in the United States has raged ever since the summer shootings.

And as it turns out, Printful, the company Kyle’s mother originally intended to use to sell the merchandise in support of her son, didn’t want to be caught up in the controversy.

After what Wendy claims was “one complaint” amidst 400 orders for “Free Kyle” merch, Printful suspended existing orders and ultimately issued a statement saying they made a professional decision not to get involved.

Can’t think for yourself huh @Printful. That’s fine. There are plenty of companies out there with principled leadership. Keep on following though

P.S. We’re saving a ton by NOT using you. We can now offer FREE SHIPPING to our customers. #overpriced https://t.co/9vzpC2IV9y

— freekyleusa (@freekyleusa) December 22, 2020

However, a reduced version of the store has reemerged, selling a censored version of the “Free Kyle” slogan in an attempted comment on the controversy, though in reality, it now just looks as though they want to free Kentucky.

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*First Published: December 23, 2020, 7:35 am