News Briefs

Veronica Novotny
Editor-in-Chief

National

Kyle Rittenhouse acquitted of all charges

After shooting three men during a protest in Kenosha, Wisconsin, in August 2020, Kyle Rittenhouse has been acquitted of all seven charges, including reckless homicide, recklessly endangering safety and use of a dangerous weapon. It was determined that Rittenhouse fired in self-defense against three men who attacked him while he was defending a local shop during protests; two died and the other was wounded. During the trial, multiple jurors were followed to their homes by journalists from MSNBC. Black Lives Matter tweeted against Rittenhouse Nov. 19, calling him a “little racist/terrorist” despite his vocal support for the organization and movement. In a statement, President Joe Biden said, “While the verdict in Kenosha will leave many Americans feeling angry and concerned, myself included, we must acknowledge that the jury has spoken.”

Car drives over paradegoers in Wisconsin

Darrell Edward Brooks Jr, 39, drove into a Christmas parade in Waukesha, Wisconsin, Nov. 21, according to police. Brooks injured 48 pedestrians, including young children and a Catholic priest, and killed five others — a Citizen Bank employee and four others from the Milwaukee Dancing Grannies group. Brooks has been charged with five intentional homicides. Brooks was freed on $1,000 bail earlier this month after running over a woman at a Milwaukee gas station and is the subject of an ongoing domestic violence case.

Thousands protest COVID-19 vaccine mandate in New York City

Thousands marched through New York City Nov. 20 to protest COVID-19 vaccine mandates for city employees. Many NYC employees have been put on leave without pay, forcing them to choose between quitting without termination benefits or getting vaccinated to return to work. According to LifeSiteNews, the crowd carried American flags, wore “Bravest for Choice” T-shirts and chanted, “We the people will not comply!”

International

Catholic politician wins first round of Chilean presidential elections

A Catholic politician won the first round of Chile’s presidential elections Nov. 21.
José Antonio Kast, 55, is a strong conservative who supports a free-market economy and is outspoken concerning pro-life issues. Although he started as a center-right congressman, Kast has since founded his own movement called Republican Action. Kast is the son of German Catholic immigrants, the father of nine children and a member of the Schoenstatt Catholic movement, which has a strong presence in Chile. The next round of elections will be Dec. 19.

Australian archbishop requires all clergy to be fully vaccinated by Dec. 15

Archbishop Mark Coleridge of Brisbane, Australia, sent a letter to his roughly 200 priests as well as deacons requiring them to be fully vaccinated by Dec. 15 under risk of suspension. Coleridge said that the unvaccinated “put the faithful of the parish at risk” and that “clergy not doubly vaccinated are failing in their duty of care for the faithful.” Coleridge allowed for a medical exemption “with a medical certificate,” but expressly forbade conscientious objections.

Austria enforces lockdown on unvaccinated, requires vaccines

On Nov. 19, Austria announced its intentions to make COVID-19 vaccination mandatory for all citizens. All citizens must be vaccinated by Feb. 1. If unvaccinated, Austrians face fines of 3600 euros each and potential time in jail if they refuse to pay the fine. The new mandate came in the midst of a lockdown for the unvaccinated, although Austria’s chancellor said the lockdown will not extend beyond Dec. 13. Numbers released Nov. 19 reported 15,809 new cases in the preceding 24 hours.