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Customers prepare boycott as major American companies offer counseling following Rittenhouse verdict

Levi Strauss and Best Buy have promised employees access to grief counseling and racial trauma specialists “to encourage healing”

By Johannes Schmidt

November 29, 2021 12:47pm

Updated: November 29, 2021 2:42pm

In light of Kyle Rittenhouse’s acquittal on all charges related to the Kenosha, Wisconsin shooting that left two dead, major American brands are reportedly offering counseling to employees distressed over the verdict — and in response, some customers are threatening to boycott or cancel existing orders.

Following the news of Rittenhouse’s acquittal, Levi Strauss and Best Buy sent out memos to their employees informing them that counseling would be made available, with Levi’s offering sessions with a "racial trauma specialist" to "encourage healing,” The Blaze reported.

"With the news that Kyle Rittenhouse was not convicted in the shooting of three individuals — two of whom lost their lives — during racial justice protests last year, this is a difficult day for many," Elizabeth Morrison, Levi’s chief diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) officer wrote to employees in an email.

"The pain and trauma of race, identity and belief-based tragedies is a reality that many of us are struggling with on an ongoing basis," Morrison continued. "It can feel physically, mentally and emotionally draining to continue to relive these moments, and I want you to know, it's okay to not be okay."

Besides offering a joint session with a licensed psychologist and racial trauma specialist “to help promote safety, sharing and to encourage healing,” the DEI head also encouraged afflicted workers to seek “trained counsel."

She also suggested workers use "resources to help [employees] impact social justice, equality and drive positive change," including "getting educated and informed on the issue of gun violence" and "reaching out to your elected officials to let them know just how important common-sense gun laws are to you."

Best Buy will also offer “mental health resources” and “counseling services” to its employees.

"The verdict in Kyle Rittenhouse's trial stirs many emotions, and it's another difficult moment for our nation," wrote Mark Irvin, Best Buy’s chief of inclusion, diversity, and talent.

 

"While these events can be challenging and deeply hurtful, I hope you will take a moment to reflect on the values that unite us as a company and as a nation," Irvin said, according to The Post Millennial. "We can do better, as each of us as individuals, allies, and human beings press together for better outcomes."

"I know events like these can take a toll on mental health and emotional well-being," he stated. "Please know that Best Buy is here to support you."

But consumers were quick to respond to what is perceived as a “woke” response to the ruling, threatening to boycott the brands and even cancel existing orders. “The Race for the most woke company marches on,” Tweeted one user.

“@BestBuy is actually offering counseling to employees for the jury getting the verdict in the Rittenhouse trial correct. They just lost a long standing customer in me," another user wrote on Twitter.

Another user pointed back at the violence and looting that surrounded BLM marches in recent years, tweeting, “They should be offering counseling to employees who were traumatized when lawless thugs plundered their stores.”

Rittenhouse, 18, was cleared of all charges, including first-degree intentional homicide, on November 19 after he shot and killed two white men in self-defense during the Black Lives Matter protests in Kenosha in August 2020.

The polarizing response to the verdict prompted Joe Biden to say he was “angry and concerned” and triggered anger across the liberal media, who attempted to paint Rittenhouse as a white nationalist following the shootings.

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