Following legal demand letter, University of Memphis protected free speech rights of Rittenhouse, implemented fair ticketing system
The University of Memphis ensured a conflict free event with Kyle Rittenhouse, following a legal demand letter.
Rittenhouse, who came to prominence for shooting and killing two violent protesters during a Black Lives Matter rally in 2020, spoke at the campus on Feb. 26 without incident.
It follows an event nearly a prior when the university made a last-minute change to ticketing, causing confusion for people who had signed up days prior. Though Rittenhouse ultimately delivered his speech, it included a walkout and harassment of Turning Point USA members after the event, as The College Fix previously reported.
This time things were different because Alliance Defending Freedom demanded the university establish a fair ticketing system, reserving half the seats specifically for Turning Point USA members. Last year, liberal students gobbled up the tickets only to leave early, shutting out their peers who may have wanted to hear Rittenhouse speak.
About 40 people came out to listen to Rittenhouse this time, according to Memphis Commercial Appeal. Some asked questions respectfully while others protested outside.
The news outlet reported:
Rittenhouse was able to get through his speech without any interruptions, the audience sat completely silent with some recording on their phone.
After he finished his speech, Rittenhouse allowed some questions from the audience, similar to what occurred last year at the event.
Rittenhouse ignored some inquiries and only answered questions related to his experience the night of the shooting.
Other attendees who pressed him about gun rights, specifically Rittenhouse’s statements regarding high-crime cities having lax gun registration, he either argued or dismissed.
The university also “revised its security fee policy,” according to a news release from ADF, which celebrated that the event occurred “without violent disruptions.”
“While violent mobs disrupt events to shut down speech they don’t like, it’s a welcome sign to see the University of Memphis stand up to cancel culture,” ADF attorney Mathew Hoffmann stated in a news release.
“The Constitution and Tennessee law protect free speech on college campuses, and the university is right to enforce rules that uphold that fundamental freedom,” Hoffmann stated. “We applaud the university for welcoming Mr. Rittenhouse back to campus and protecting the event from disruption.”
A Turning Point USA spokeswoman expressed similar sentiments.
“Turning Point USA is pleased that last night’s event at the University of Memphis proceeded without obstruction,” TPUSA Public Relations Manager Aubrey Laitsch stated in the news release.
“Thank you to Alliance Defending Freedom for holding the university accountable. While last year’s challenges in organizing this event exposed serious concerns, we’re encouraged to see progress,” Laitsch stated. “TPUSA remains committed to defending students’ rights and ensuring that all voices can be heard on campus.”
MORE: UMinn proposes ‘race, power, and justice’ course mandate
IMAGE: Fox News/YouTube
Like The College Fix on Facebook / Follow us on Twitter
Please join the conversation about our stories on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Reddit, MeWe, Rumble, Gab, Minds and Gettr.