MEMPHIS, Tenn. — On Wednesday, March 20, University of Memphis campus was filled with protesters outraged over Kyle Rittenhouse’s appearance. Inside the University Center Theatre, Rittenhouse got through just a few sentences before students “boo”’ed him into switching to the Q&A portion of his speech.
ABC24 met with the founder of the university’s Turning Point USA chapter, Anne-Elizabeth Matheny, and the Black Student Association President, Markayla Love.
Matheny planned Rittenhouse’s appearance and Love planned the protest in response.
“He couldn’t get a single word out,” Matheny said. “Every time he said 1-2 words, then he was being screamed at.”
“It made complete sense for turning point to want an individual like Kyle Rittenhouse to speak for them,” Love said.
Matheny graduated from the university in May 2023 but serves as a Turning Point Field Representative for the school now. Love will graduate in May 2024.
Kyle Rittenhouse — notorious for shooting three men and killing two of them during a 2020 protest in Kenosha, Wisconsin — made his mark on the Bluff City the night of his speech.
Students protested for hours.
The night ended with protesters running after the Turning Point USA Leadership team. It was a moment no one expected.
“I’ve definitely had death threats before, but it’s never been so physical and real,” Matheny said. “So just having people chase after you; not knowing if people are armed, not know[ing] what people could throw at you and just trying to get to your car safely is very overwhelming and something I wouldn’t wish on anybody.”
Love said she did not expect how the protest ended. She also said she doesn’t disagree with the invite handed to Rittenhouse. Instead, that her and those protesting alongside her just wanted answers, and she feels like hers are answered now.
“I am for free speech,” Love said. “I think the main goal of the protest was us asking why Kyle Rittenhouse was invited, is his presence productive?”
Matheny told ABC24 she wanted more conservative students to know about Turning Point’s U of M chapter so they could get involved.
“Despite the controversy, I think its important for people to listen and try to just like hear other viewpoints,” Matheny said.
Both Turning Point and BSA said they picked up new members throughout the week.
Matheny and love said they’re open to their orgs having a combined forum — not to dictate who can and can’t speak on campus, but to better understand each other’s organizations.
“A discussion of what does BSA stand for and what does Turning Point stand for, would be a great start,” Love said.
While Turning Point doesn’t have any additional on campus speakers planned for this semester, the Black Student Association does have a few more meetings before the summer comes around.
The University of Memphis could expect to see a co-hosted forum between the organizations in the future.
