Kyle Rittenhouse to be upcoming speaker at Kent State, causing controversy

Melissa Reid
·1 min read
91

KENT, Ohio (WJW) – There’s controversy on the campus of one local university after Kyle Rittenhouse was announced as an upcoming speaker.

At Kent State University, campus is buzzing about Rittenhouse’s scheduled appearance on April 16.

“I knew it would be polarizing. To get people interested, it would have to be,” said Brady Seymour, the president of the Kent State chapter of Turning Point USA.

TPUSA is a conservative student group sponsoring the appearance.

Rittenhouse was acquitted on all charges in the fatal shooting of two men and wounding of a third during a protest in Wisconsin in 2020.

Petland theft suspect arrested, puppy still missing

“At first, the reactions were positive. However, ever since we posted the flyer, its been pretty much negative,” Seymour said.

Senior Ally Greco created an online petition calling on the university to reconsider hosting Rittenhouse on campus.

“He has a lot of discourse around him and most of the discourse is negative because of his violent past,” said Greco.

Greco said some students have concerns about his appearance on a campus where a memorial stands to commemorate the events of May 4, 1970.

“With that incident of having protestors shot and killed, having someone who shot and killed protestors is polarizing. And honestly, a lot of people think it’s a slap in the face to the history that Kent State has had,” said Greco.

WATCH: Kucinich files to run as independent in OH-7

Kent State released the following statement Monday:

“A registered student organization is bringing this speaker to campus. Kent State University upholds the First Amendment rights of free speech and peaceful assembly for all. As a state university, we permit groups and individuals to speak and share their views on our campus about topics they feel are important. Kent State has a long history of allowing peaceful dialogue from all points of view, including those whom some may feel are offering different and/or sometimes controversial opinions. As with any speaker invited to our campus, the university does not endorse or condone an opinion or point of view represented by the speaker, nor does the university advocate for any topic the speaker might discuss during their visit to campus. We continue to support and encourage freedom of expression and the free exchange of ideas. Consistent with our core values, we encourage open dialogue and respectful civil discourse in an inclusive environment.”

Find the online petition here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.