BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — Kyle Rittenhouse, who made national headlines for killing two people during a protest in Kenosha, Wis. and was later acquitted, came to Western Kentucky University for a speaking engagement. The event drew hundreds of protests and counterprotests from students and advocacy groups.
Protesters gathered in front of the Downing Student Union building while Kyle Rittenhouse spoke at the event, sponsored by the conservative nonprofit Turning Point USA.
Rittenhouse made headlines across the county in 2020 after he killed two people and injured another during a racial justice protest in Wisconsin. A year later, he was acquitted of all charges after testifying that his actions were in self-defense.
Rittenhouse came to discuss what happened to him on the night he killed two people, as well as “the importance of the second amendment” and “the lies of BLM,” according to the event’s billing. The event was at full capacity, with over 100 people in attendance; however, hundreds more gathered just outside of the venue to demonstrate.
One student, Naomi Desrosiers, said, “We are here, we’re using our voice, and we’re letting people know that we’re not gonna sit in silence and let this happen on our campus.”
The protests were filled with enthusiasm and signs which had phrases painted on them such as “No Justice, No Peace.”
Aunetrae Johnson, a student who protesting said, “We just feel like our voices aren’t being heard, that’s why I’m out here, that’s why everyone else is out here.”
Another student who was protesting, Patrick Eckels, said,“Well, I’m trying to speak against Turning Point USA as an organization. I don’t support a lot of the things they support, I don’t support the things Kyle Rittenhouse has come here to talk about.”
Others who were there, however, viewed Kyle Rittenhouse as a Second Amendment rights activist.
Student Preston Smith said, “He was first aid certified, CPR certified. I understand how he got in that situation. I don’t think he was irrational, I don’t think he was stupid.”
Protestor Ben Leneave said, “When the rioters end up chasing you, trying to hit you with a skateboard, and carrying a Glock and pointing it at you, I don’t blame him, doing what he did, to defend himself.”
WKU Communications Director Jace Lux told the College Heights Herald, Western Kentucky’s Newspaper, that WKU was not affiliated with Rittenhouse’s event.
“While the commitment to free speech will always remain a hallmark of the WKU experience and we will continue to allow our community members to invite guests to campus, that does not mean that the university supports, endorses or agrees with the views of those individuals,” Lux said.