Kyle Rittenhouse returns to speak at university where angry mob led to canceled speech
Kyle Rittenhouse is set to make a return to the University of Memphis nearly a year after his speech was disrupted by a group of student protesters. This time, Rittenhouse will be discussing the Second Amendment and his controversial 2021 trial. The University of Memphis chapter of Turning Point USA extended the invitation to Rittenhouse once again, after the university and Rittenhouse’s legal team reached an agreement to provide adequate security for the event.
Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) attorney Mathew Hoffmann, speaking to Fox News Digital, emphasized the importance of upholding free speech on college campuses. Hoffmann stated, “The bottom line is universities cannot allow hostile students and other people to shut down speakers that they don’t like. That’s enshrined in Tennessee law and the First Amendment. The mob forced him to cut his speech short, and he left not being able to communicate his message.”
Following the disruption at the previous event, ADF intervened on Rittenhouse’s and TPUSA’s behalf by sending a demand letter to the university. The letter requested the rescheduling of the event and reimbursement of an unconstitutional security fee that TPUSA was forced to pay after the initial event was shut down. While the university did reschedule the event, they did not refund the security fee, which Hoffmann described as payment for security that failed to prevent the disruption.
Rittenhouse gained national attention during his trial in 2021, where he was acquitted of five charges related to a shooting incident in Kenosha in 2020. Rittenhouse’s defense argued that he acted in self-defense when he fatally shot two people and injured a third during the unrest. The individuals he shot, Joseph Rosenbaum and Anthony Huber, had criminal records, including allegations of domestic abuse and disorderly conduct.
The upcoming event at the University of Memphis will provide Rittenhouse with an opportunity to share his perspective and experiences directly with the audience. The university has committed to promoting respectful dialogue and ensuring that disruptions will not be tolerated during the event.
As the event approaches, Rittenhouse’s return to the University of Memphis continues to spark debate and controversy. The university’s response to the previous disruption and the measures taken to ensure the security of the upcoming event will be closely monitored.
In conclusion, Kyle Rittenhouse’s upcoming speech at the University of Memphis serves as a reminder of the importance of free speech and respectful dialogue on college campuses. As Rittenhouse prepares to address the audience once again, the focus remains on upholding the principles of the First Amendment and allowing diverse perspectives to be heard.
