Kyle Rittenhouse returned to the University of Memphis to speak about the Second Amendment and his trial experience, successfully completing an engagement that was disrupted by protesters last year.
At a Glance
- Rittenhouse spoke at the University of Memphis in a second attempt, after being jeered off stage during his previous visit
- The event, hosted by Turning Point USA’s Memphis chapter, had sparse attendance with approximately 40 people
- Security measures were bolstered, leading to a more controlled environment with limited audience access
- The Alliance Defending Freedom played a crucial role in securing the rescheduled event after the initial disruption
- Rittenhouse shared his perspective on the Second Amendment and recounted his experiences during the Kenosha shooting incident
A Second Chance to Speak
Kyle Rittenhouse, who gained national attention after being acquitted in a high-profile 2021 trial, successfully delivered his speech at the University of Memphis after a previous attempt was derailed by protesters. The event, organized by the university’s chapter of Turning Point USA, featured Rittenhouse discussing the Second Amendment and sharing insights from his trial experience. Unlike his March 2024 appearance that ended in disruption, this engagement proceeded without interruption, albeit with a relatively small audience of approximately 40 attendees.
The university implemented stronger security measures for this second appearance, creating a more controlled environment. These precautions followed the contentious first attempt when student protesters effectively shut down Rittenhouse’s presentation. The noticeably smaller protest crowd this time allowed Rittenhouse to complete his talk and engage with audience members through a question-and-answer session focused primarily on his shooting experience.
Legal Intervention Secures Return
The Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) played a significant role in facilitating Rittenhouse’s return to campus. After the disruption of his initial speech, the legal organization sent a demand letter to the University of Memphis, insisting on rescheduling the event and reimbursing the Turning Point USA chapter for a $1,600 security fee. While the university agreed to reschedule, reports indicate they did not refund the security fee assessment.
The university has since revised its security fee assessment system and committed to promoting respectful dialogue on campus. ADF attorney Mathew Hoffmann emphasized the importance of upholding free speech rights at public universities, citing both Tennessee law and First Amendment protections that prevent speakers from being silenced by hostile student groups. The university’s administration pledged to maintain an environment where civil discourse can take place without disruption.
During his presentation, Rittenhouse recounted the night in August 2020 when he shot three people, two fatally, during civil unrest in Kenosha, Wisconsin. The incidents occurred amid Black Lives Matter protests following the police shooting of Jacob Blake. Rittenhouse, who was 17 years old at the time, claimed self-defense and was subsequently acquitted of all charges in November 2021 after a trial that became a flashpoint in national debates about gun rights and vigilantism.
