MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The University of Memphis confirmed Wednesday those planning to attend a speaking event with Kyle Rittenhouse, who gained national fame when he shot three people during protests in Kenosha, Wisconsin, in 2020, will need new tickets to the event Wednesday night.
The U of M said those currently holding a ticket to "The Rittenhouse Recap," the event featuring the controversial conservative figure organized by Turning Point USA at 7 p.m. Wednesday on campus, will have to re-acquire their ticket through the university's ticketing system.
As of 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, all tickets have been sold out, but tickets have been re-opened to the public at several times throughout the day.
Who is Kyle Rittenhouse, and why is he coming to Memphis?
Rittenhouse was announced as a guest speaker earlier in March on social media.
Organizations Turning Point USA, KWAM News Radio 990 and the Shelby County Young Republicans were mentioned in the social media announcement for the stop on his speaking tour.
The August 2020 protests in Kenosha started in response to the shooting of Jacob Blake — a Black man who was paralyzed from the waist down after he was shot by a white Kenosha police officer.
Rittenhouse, who was 17 at the time of the demonstrations, shot Joseph Rosenbaum, Anthony Huber and Gaige Grosskreutz, arguing later in court all three men attacked him and he believed he had to fire at them in self-defense.
Rosenbaum and Huber died after being shot. Grosskreutz would go on to testify that, as he was wearing a hat labeling him as a "paramedic," he saw Rittenhouse shoot one of them just feet away.
In court, Grosskreutz denied Rittenhouse's lawyer's claims that he "ran after" Rittenhouse "with a loaded firearm." He told the court that he did have a gun and that at one point both of them were pointing their guns at each other.
Neither person was legally authorized to have a gun at the time of the incident — Grosskreutz said his permit to carry a concealed weapon had expired and he technically did not have a valid permit that night. Rittenhouse was considered generally too young to buy a firearm in Wisconsin — using one that he said an older friend bought for him earlier that year.
During the time of the trial, debates centered around the right to bear arms as well as police violence against Black people took national focus — all during an already tragic and tumultuous summer.
When Rittenhouse was acquitted in November 2021 by a jury that reports indicated were mostly white, protests in various cities took place.
Directly following it, Wisconsin Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes said that "many dreaded the outcome" of the case.
"The presumption of innocence until proven guilty is what we should expect from our judicial system, but that standard is not always applied equally," Barnes said at the time. "We have seen so many Black and Brown youth killed, only to be put on trial posthumously, while the innocence of Kyle Rittenhouse was virtually demanded by the judge."
Rittenhouse, who in 2023 published a book entitled "Acquitted," is scheduled to speak at University of Memphis specifically on March 20 at 7 p.m.
The U of M released a statement to students on March 15 regarding the event:
"We have heard many of you expressing concern in regard to an upcoming event featuring Kyle Rittenhouse as a guest speaker. This event is not sponsored by the University of Memphis. A registered student organization is hosting the event.
We understand your concerns. As a public institution, the University of Memphis must uphold its obligation to adhere to the principles of the First Amendment and Tennessee’s Campus Free Speech Act. Due to this obligation, the university cannot legally prohibit the event from taking place.
The expression of differing ideas and opinions plays an important role in maintaining a diverse campus environment that is open and inclusive. The university encourages peaceful, respectful debate among its student population.
It is essential that these discussions take place while maintaining a safe environment on our campus. Speech that includes threats, harassment or attempts to incite violence is not protected under the First Amendment and is strongly prohibited by the university. To maintain our commitment to a safe environment, Campus Police Services has a comprehensive plan to address potential safety concerns as it relates to this event.
This includes working with local law enforcement and providing additional security staffing before, during and after the event. Should you have concerns about your own safety or the campus community, please contact Police Services at (901) 678 4357."
