Kyle Rittenhouse to be upcoming speaker at Kent State, causing controversy

KENT, Ohio – – There's debate on the campus of one regional university after Kyle Rittenhouse was revealed as an upcoming speaker.

At Kent State University, school is buzzing about Rittenhouse's scheduled appearance on April 16.

" I knew it would be polarizing. To get people interested, it would have to be," stated Brady Seymour, the president of the Kent State chapter of Turning Point USA.

TPUSA is a conservative trainee group sponsoring the look.

Rittenhouse was acquitted on all charges in the deadly shooting of 2 men and wounding of a 3rd during a demonstration in Wisconsin in 2020.

" At first, the reactions were favorable. Nevertheless, ever since we published the leaflet, its been pretty much unfavorable," Seymour said.

Senior Ally Greco produced an online petition calling on the university to reassess hosting Rittenhouse on school.

" He has a great deal of discourse around him and most of the discourse is unfavorable due to the fact that of his violent past," stated Greco.

Greco stated some trainees have issues about his appearance on a school where a memorial stands to honor the events of May 4, 1970.

" With that occurrence of having actually protestors shot and eliminated, having someone who shot and killed protestors is polarizing. And truthfully, a great deal of people think it's a slap in the face to the history that Kent State has had," stated Greco.

VIEW: Kucinich submits to run as independent in OH-7

Kent State released the following declaration Monday:

" A registered student company is bringing this speaker to school. Kent State University promotes the First Amendment rights of complimentary speech and serene assembly for all. As a state university, we permit people and groups to speak and share their views on our school about topics they feel are very important. Kent State has a long history of permitting serene dialogue from all viewpoints, including those whom some may feel are using various and/or in some cases controversial opinions. Just like any speaker welcomed to our campus, the university does not back or excuse a viewpoint or perspective represented by the speaker, nor does the university supporter for any topic the speaker may go over throughout their see to campus. We continue to encourage and support liberty of expression and the complimentary exchange of concepts. Constant with our core worths, we motivate open discussion and respectful civil discourse in an inclusive environment."

Discover the online petition here.